WHAT IS BUDDHISM?
Contrary to popular belief or misconception, Buddhism is an education first. The teachings of the Buddha, regardless of what sect of Buddhism we are referring to, bring to light the way in which to relieve our suffering in life. For the layperson, there are 3 places in which to start understanding Buddhism and to immediately use this understanding to better your life.
1. CAUSE & EFFECT
Understanding cause and effect will help each of us to see that we make decisions each moment of our lives that cause either suffering or happiness. From the words we speak, the actions we take, and the thoughts that we think-we are always creating our own reality. Someone might say, how is this so if I was born into a poor family or into another type of unfortunate life? The answer is that cause and effect extend into our former lives. What we did previously we cannot know until we are closer to enlightenment. There is a teaching in Buddhism that is very important about this point: What you experience now is a product of your previous doing, saying, and thinking. What your life is to be in the future will depend on what you are doing, saying, and thinking right now.
Even if you are not convinced you had a previous body, you can at least observe in this life the way of cause and effect. Previously can mean yesterday, last week or when you were 10 years old. There is no exact line.
Even if you are not convinced you had a previous body, you can at least observe in this life the way of cause and effect. Previously can mean yesterday, last week or when you were 10 years old. There is no exact line.
2. FILIAL PIETY to PARENTS. RESPECT TO TEACHERS & ELDERS

This concept is losing ground in our world. But respecting Parents is the foundation of Buddhism. If we cannot find in our heart a way to be grateful for the body and life we have been given through our parents sacrifice, it will be impossible to become an enlightened person. In addition, respecting the wisdom and experience of Teachers and Elders helps to make a person more mindful, compassionate and grateful.
In this day and age, many people are born into abusive and unhappy circumstances. These people, understandably so, are filled with hatred or even denial toward their Parents. They might ask, how can I be filial to a parent who has beaten or abandoned me?? There is no easy answer, but there is a way of practice that can help people from this circumstance begin to heal from their suffering.
This topic needs a lot of explanation, discussion and practice. For more information, you can contact Gold Summit. In the meantime, these are just a few words to help understand how Buddhism approaches this concept:
In this day and age, many people are born into abusive and unhappy circumstances. These people, understandably so, are filled with hatred or even denial toward their Parents. They might ask, how can I be filial to a parent who has beaten or abandoned me?? There is no easy answer, but there is a way of practice that can help people from this circumstance begin to heal from their suffering.
This topic needs a lot of explanation, discussion and practice. For more information, you can contact Gold Summit. In the meantime, these are just a few words to help understand how Buddhism approaches this concept:
- Firstly, if we can understand more about cause and effect, we may be able to find it in our hearts to understand that our Parent's abusive behavior was or is because they themselves were abused and not guided well in life. If we can develop some compassion toward their suffering, we may find later we can forgive them. But this is not easy to do if you are still in an abusive cycle. This would be something you would want to work on after you have been able to break the cycle, distance yourself from the conflict, and find more self empowerment and self respect.
- If you come from such a family, after you have begun to develop some forgiveness and compassion, you have to continue to assert yourself so as not to get caught up in dysfunctional cycles or behavior with them in the future. Once you have been able to do this more frequently, you may find that you can look at your Parents in the way you would toward a person who needs help. Using compassion and firmness you can urge them to change their ways. If you do this sincerely, you will then be practicing filial piety. If there is no way that you can do this due to extreme abuse and other circumstances, it is best to make and live your own life in a positive way. It is also Filial Piety to treat your own body and mind with respect.
3. PRACTICING THE 5 PRECEPTS
The 5 precepts are difficult in western society to practice. Though we have great and wonderful freedom, if we lack self discipline, we create a lot of trouble for ourselves. To make matters worse, what is "normal" nowadays is to disregard the 5 precepts as anything of value. In fact, many people feel that practicing 5 precepts of moral behavior is akin to being in prison. What we don't realize is that by behaving, thinking and leading others in any way we see fit, we are in fact creating a prison for ourselves that we will later have to live in. The 5 precepts are meant to help create happiness in your life, not to restrain you in a negative way!
The 5 precepts are:
The 5 precepts are:
- No killing
- No lying
- No taking drugs/intoxicants
- No stealing
- No sexual misconduct
BUDDHISM THE RELIGION

Learning about Buddhism, studying and then putting it into practice are the purposes behind the religious order. In Buddhism, it is not the religion that is first and foremost, but rather a person's self cultivation and development of wisdom which are accomplished through the religious practices of attending services and bowing to the Buddhas. The Buddha's original message was for a person not to blame others for their suffering, but to work out their own salvation by following the precepts, understanding the 4 Noble Truths and his teachings of the 8 fold path. It's important to understand this point, because having an experienced Elder or Dharma Master to guide you on the path of Buddhist practice is tantamount to success. If you truly don't have this opportunity, you should always practice with a pure heart, free from your ego and be courageous, diligent and vigorous in your cultivation. Otherwise, when you meet a teacher who follows the precepts, teaches true cause and effect and has practiced such a way for many years - don't miss the opportunity, as there are few such teachers in the world today.