What are the major principles of Buddhism?

Answer 1

The Four Noble Truths are beliefs that underly most of Buddhist epistemology. They are: 1. The nature of suffering: Birth, aging, illness and death are suffering, as is attachment and aversion. 2. The origin of suffering: craving for things we think will bring us pleasure. 3. The cessation of suffering: freedom from attachment and aversion. 4. The way leading to the cessation of suffering: The eightfold path includes right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livlihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration. What these mean is that we are mistaken or deluded about the true nature of reality, and we have cravings for things we think will bring us pleasure, and aversion for those things we think won't. We think that not getting what we want is what makes us suffer, when it is really the attachment to some things and aversion to others that cause suffering. If we examine the nature of reality deeply, using certain techniques, and cultivate compassion for all beings, we will discover the true nature of reality.

Answer 2

Buddhism has no tenants if the word "tenants" is taken to mean "beliefs that make up a creed." There is no Buddhist creed.

It's better to think of Buddhism as a set of practices designed to ameliorate suffering. The only belief required to practice is the belief that practice might be beneficial--otherwise, there would be no point in practicing.

On the other hand, Buddhist practices occur in a certain context. The Buddha himself articulated Four Noble Truths, namely, suffering (dukkha) is real, suffering is caused, suffering can cease if we stop doing what is causing suffering, and there is a way or path that leads to refraining from doing those things that cause us to suffer.

Additionally, that way is the Noble Eightfold Path of right view, right thinking, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right diligence, right mindfulness, and right concentration.

Still, the Buddha did not want his followers to attach themselves to any belief or set of beliefs. He wanted his followers to find the way for themselves by practicing as he suggested.

Answer 3

You can sum up the principles of Buddhism by the "Three marks of existence":

• Anicca (Sanskrit anitya) "inconstancy" or "impermanence". This refers to the fact that all conditioned things (sankhara) are in a constant state of flux. In reality there is no thing that ultimately ceases to exist; only the appearance of a thing ceases as it changes from one form to another. Imagine a leaf that falls to the ground and decomposes. While the appearance and relative existence of the leaf ceases, the components that formed the leaf become particulate material that may go on to form new plants. Buddhism teaches a middle way, avoiding the extreme views of eternalism and nihilism.

• Dukkha (Sanskrit duhkha) or dissatisfaction (or "dis-ease"; also often translated "suffering", though this is somewhat misleading). Nothing found in the physical world or even the psychological realm can bring lasting deep satisfaction.

• Anatta (Sanskrit anatman) or "non-Self" is used in the suttas both as a noun and as a predicative adjective to denote that phenomena are not, or are without, a permanent self, to describe any and all composite, consubstantial, phenomenal and temporal things, from the macrocosmic to microcosmic, be it matter pertaining to the physical body or the cosmos at large, as well as any and all mental machinations, which are impermanent.

Answer 4

The major tenets of Buddhism are the Four Noble Truths:

1. Suffering exists.
2. Craving is the cause of suffering.
3. By eliminating craving, you can eliminate suffering.
4. You can eliminate craving and therefore suffering by following the Noble Eightfold Path.