Buddhist faith

The essence of Buddhism

Buddhism is a spiritual path of liberation from suffering, a tradition dating back 2,500 years from northern India by the Buddha. The religion does not centre upon a belief in God but to seek enlightenment and salvation.

The aims of Buddhism are to seek dharma (insight) to achieve nirvana (relief of pain and anxiety) and to reach freedom from karma (the endless cycle of rebirth). In Buddhism, monkhood is part of the system of 'vows of individual liberation' these vows are taken in order to develop one's own personal ethical discipline.

Practising the faith

At the heart of the Buddha's teaching lie the Four Noble Truths;

1. Dukkha: We all experience suffering.
2. Samudaya: The cause of our suffering is craving.
3. Nirodha: Craving and therefore suffering can be ended.
4. Marga: The way to this end is to follow the Noble Eightfold Path.

The Eightfold Path

• Right View - Realising from experience the truth of the Four Noble Truths.
• Right Intention - Committing oneself to follow the Buddha's path.
• Right Speech - speaking kindly and truthfully.
• Right Action - Acting kindly, avoiding harming others.
• Right Livelihood - Choosing work which does not harm oneself or others.
• Right Effort - Making effort to improve, in awareness, ethics and wisdom.
• Right Mindfulness - Cultivating awareness of oneself, others and one's environment.
• Right Concentration - Training the mind in calm positivity, leading to perfect wisdom.

Significant features of Buddhism

Buddhist meditation includes any method of meditation that has Enlightenment as its ultimate aim. A regular practise of meditation is encouraged, to help the development of concentration, love, freedom and wisdom.

Due to the understanding of animals as conscious and suffering beings, many Buddhists do not have a part in the killing of animals and many are vegetarians.

Festivals to celebrate key dates in the Buddhist calendar vary across different countries, although commonly celebrate the Buddha's birthday, Enlightenment and passing away, along with other key teachers in the Buddhist tradition.

The Buddha is worshipped as a teacher and as an example of what we can all become: a transformed human being, perfect in wisdom and compassion, free of greed, hatred and ignorance.

Buddhism in Bury

An estimated 708 million follow Buddhism worldwide with 302,000 in Britain. Bury has a growing Buddhist population along with other neighbouring towns.

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