5 THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT BUDDHISM

Ok so I have just started my final year at uni, and my favourite module definitely has to be Buddhism.

After being quite unaware of anything to do with Buddhism, I seem to have picked up on so much in a matter of lectures, as it seems to be so deep and vast: one thing leading on to another thing. So today I want to write a short post on some of the introductory things that I have learnt about.

1 Enlightenment (Nibaana)

The aim in life for all Buddhists is to follow in the footsteps of Buddha. After a six year search for enlightenment Buddha (the first known person to attain enlightenment), found Nibaana through mediation. In gaining enlightenment he became aware of three things:

1. the four noble truths

2 the illusion of 'self'

3 knowledge that everything in the world is impermanent

2 No suffering?

Essentially, enlightenment is a life minus suffering. The four noble truths teach us that suffering is caused by desire conditioned by ignorance, or 'tanha' meaning 'thirst'. It's not all depressing though; for suffering can be ended...it is possible. To stop desire is to stop suffering, and when suffering has ceased one will have found enlightenment.

3 No-self

The 'self' is an illusion according to Buddhists. 'I' thoughts are just illusions, and all that exists are these things that are called 'skandhas' that make up a person.

Question?? If there is no self who is reborn? (another Buddhist teaching)...

4 The world is impermanent

Enlightenment brings the knowledge that the world and everything in it is impermanent. From material objects, to us, to happiness... everything sensory is short lived. Depressing or what?

Basically everything that we strive for and enjoy is actually just a form of suffering. We suffer from short lived pleasure, when we move on to desiring the next thing. Even worse is having to accept that our lives are so short.

5 Rebirth and Karma

Perhaps the most known thing about Buddhism: that they believe in rebirth. Rather than using the term reincarnation, because it seems to suggest that a 'self' is being reborn into a different body, Buddhists believe that the 'skandhas' are reborn over and over again. Only when enlightenment is obtained will we escape the chain of rebirth.

But isn't it worse not to be reborn? Isn't nothingness worse than a cycle of life? Buddhist's will say no, for rebirth entails re-death and the repetition of the suffering in life all over again.