Buddhism

A Way of Life

The teachings of the Buddha have been a way of life for millions of people in the East for over two and a half thousand years

The path to the realisation of Nibbana is the avoidance of extremes in life. The ‘Middle Way’ is the Buddhist way of life; a self-development progression through the Noble Eight-fold Path which comprises Right Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration. These, when practised diligently, develop qualities of virtue, concentration and wisdom. Meditation is a very important part of the Buddhist way of life as it leads to the development of a penetrating wisdom, which enables us to see the true nature of exist­ence. This must, however, be founded on morality. Hence the importance that Buddhists place on ethical conduct.

Sabba papassa akaranam
-kusalassa upasampada
Saccittapariodapanam
-etam Buddhana sasanam

To cease from all evil
To cultivate good
To purify one's mind
This is the advice of all Buddhas

The Three Jewels of Buddhism

What it means to take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.

Compassion And Wisdom
Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron

Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron received novice vows in 1977 and full ordination in 1986. A student of H. H. the Dalai Lama, Tsenzhap Serkong Rinpoche, and Zopa Rinpoche, she has been resident teacher at Amitabha Buddhist Centre in Singapore and Dharma Friendship Foundation in Seattle. She is active in Jewish-Buddhist and Catholic-Buddhist dialogue, including the MID-sponsored Gethsemani Encounters and Nuns in the West. Her books include Open Heart, Clear Mind; Buddhism for Beginners; Taming the Monkey Mind; and Working with Anger. She is the founder of Sravasti Abbey.
 

Buddhist Articles and Ebooks

Buddhist Articles, Essays and Poems

Below is a collection of well written articles on various aspects of Buddhism. Most of the Buddhist articles listed here are those that have been donated by Vesak Lipi, the annual Buddhist Digest, while the rest have been donated by the general public.

GLOSSARY OF BUDDHIST TERMS
Abhidhamma Pitaka
Affirmative
All things conditioned are subject to change
Belief in the Oneness of Man
Buddha's affinity for the environment
Buddhist Ethics: Buddha's Advice on Killing and Consumption of Meat
Bodhisattva Ideal
Buddhism - The Story of Buddha
Buddhism Practices : Buddhist funeral rites
Buddhist Approach to friendship
Buddhist Attutude to other Religions
Buddhist Concept of Friendship
Buddhist Concept of Social Welfare
Buddhist Outlook on the Individual
Buddhist View of Mind and Body
Buddhist Therapeutic Healing with chant

The Forest Dhamma narrative starts in early 1963 with the arrival of at Baan Taad Forest Monastery of Ajaan Paññāvaddho, who soon began translating some of Ajaan Mahā Boowa’s books on Dhamma practice into English. Because Ajaan Mahā Boowa often referred to his teachings as ‘Dhamma of the forest’, the first book of talks that Ajaan Paññāvaddho translated and published was entitled “Forest Dhamma.” Inspired by this and other translations, many Westerners came to live and practice with Ajaan Mahā Boowa, participating wholeheartedly in the unique spiritual lifestyle of the Thai Forest Tradition

Free ebooks

Audios

A collection of 101 of Buddhas's quotes.

Each quote contains a wealth of wisdom, inspiration, and practical advice. Read the quotes, think about the wisdom they contain, or use them for meditation, and you will find inspiration, peace, and wisdom.
 

Buddhist Books and Dharma Talks in PDF / Plus Audio and Video Downloads
"These ebooks and Dharma talks are free to read, listen, watch"

Visuddhimagga / The Path of Purification
Translation by Bhikkhu Nanamoli / Free Download / Click Here

Vimuttimagga / The Path of Freedom
Arahant Upatissa / Free Download / Click Here

The Buddha's Teaching in His Own Words
Bhikkhu Nanamoli / Free Download / Click Here

The Buddha and His Teachings
by Ven. Narada / Free Download / Click Here

"Selves & Not-Self"
by Thanissaro Bhikkhu / Free Download / Click Here

Mindfulness of Breathing
by Bhikkhu Nanamoli / Free Download / Click Here

The Anguttara Nikaya / Abridged Translation
by Nyanaponika Thera and Bhikkhu Bodhi / Free Download / Click Here

Beginnings: The Pali Suttas
by S. Bodhesako / Free Download / Click Here

Birth, Life and Death of the Ego
by Carlo Gragnani / Free Download / Click Here
 

“An Introductory Course on Early Buddhism”

"Buddhism Course"
Compiled and published for free distribution
by Bro. Chan Khoon San

A View on Buddhism

BUDDHIST ARTICLES

What did Lord Buddha really have to say about God?

At times, He did remain silent on this topic. But there is an account given by Him on the genesis of the "Creator" and this should settle the issue. But before going on with that, we should note that Buddha was not an agnostic (one who does not know). In fact, He was a gnostic or 'one who knows' (in Pali- "janata") and was also called "Sabbannu", the 'All-knower". This means that to whatever subject Lord Buddha attended to, He knew all the contents of that subject. It does NOT mean that He always knew everything about every subject all at once, for this very claim was one He emphatically and specifically denied about himself.
Now, to settle this question of "God" we can investigate. It happens that in the beginning of a new cycle (after one of the periodic cosmic collapses), a being according to his or her kamma (karma) is reborn into a heavenly realm or state where no other beings are to found. (That one's kamma being a condition for the arising of that particular heavenly experience.) That one does not remember her or his past life among other "gods" in the "higher" heavenly realms, and comes to believe during the passing of ages that s/he has lived there forever. With the passing of immense time spans, that one wishes for the company of others and then, since according to their kamma some other beings appear in that realm, s/he comes to believe that they were produced by her or his will. From this s/he goes on to glorify herself or himself, her or his supposed "creation" and this aids that being's vanity since such a being does not remember the past life it was subjected to and so imagines that it is a creature of Brahma.
One of these great Brahmas called by the name of Baka, was made to see the emptiness and futility of his claims to eternal existence and creatorhood when Lord Buddha while in meditation paid a visit to that realm. And not only that, the "Buddhist" attitude to Brahma or God or "the Creator" is fairly if somewhat seemingly acridly summed up in these translated verses:

"He who has eyes can see the sickening sight;
Why does not Brahma set his creatures right?
If his wide power no limit can restrain,
Why is his hand so rarely spread to bless?
Why are all his creatures condemned to pain?
Why does he not to all give happiness?
Why do fraud, lies, and ignorance prevail?