Buddhism’s teachings are based on the Fourth Noble Truths. The First Truth says life is suffering (Dukkha). The Second Truth says the causes of suffering are craving, hatred, and delusions (The Three Poisons). The Third Truth says there can be a cessation of suffering. The Fourth Truth says the way to the cessation of suffering is through the Noble Eightfold Path. The Noble Eightfold Path are the Right Understanding (View), Right Thought (Intention), Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.

Humanity suffers because we crave and want to cling to things. We crave for things but cannot have them, and we are dissatisfied or unhappy. We want to cling to our possessions, appearance, and other people’s opinions of us, hoping to satisfy a deep inner longing. But the more we cling, the more disappointed we become. Why? Because everything is impermanent. It is constantly changing, and nothing can live up to the unrealistic expectations we place on it. Impermanence (Anicca) is a central aspect of Buddhist philosophy that explains all phenomena’ transient and changing nature. Recognizing impermanence is crucial for understanding the causes of suffering, as attachment to what is impermanent is identified as a key source of dissatisfaction, unhappiness, and suffering in life.

Hatred is a mental state characterized by aversion, anger, ill will, or hostility towards oneself or others. It hinders spiritual progress and inner peace and contributes to suffering. We hate it when we do not get what we want or get what we do not want. We are jealous of people who have what we do not have. Hatred often arises from a distorted perception of reality. When individuals harbor hatred, they may exaggerate or misinterpret situations, leading to increased negative emotions and a biased view of the world. This distorted perception contributes to mental suffering. Hatred can lead to conflicts, both internally and externally. Internally, it creates mental turmoil and distress. Externally, it can result in strained relationships, disputes, and even violence.

Delusion refers to a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of reality, a lack of insight into the true nature of existence. It leads to a distorted perception of the self, the mistaken belief in a permanent, independent, and unchanging self or soul. The self is a constantly changing, conditioned phenomenon without a fixed essence. All phenomena, including the self, arise and exist interconnected and interdependent. Delusion prevents individuals from recognizing the impermanent and interdependent nature of all phenomena. People become attached to fleeting experiences, relationships, and material possessions, expecting them to provide lasting happiness. This state of ignorance gives rise to attachment, craving, and aversion, contributing to suffering. The concept of Non-Self (Anatta) is a key aspect of Buddhism’s understanding of the nature of reality.

The Buddhist Eightfold Path, also known as the Noble Eightfold Path, is a fundamental teaching in Buddhism that outlines the path to the cessation of suffering (dukkha) and the attainment of enlightenment (nirvana). It is one of the core elements of the Four Noble Truths, which form the foundation of Buddhist teachings. The Eightfold Path consists of the following interconnected and interdependent factors:

1. Right View (Understanding): Develop a correct understanding of the nature of existence, including the Four Noble Truths and the law of cause and effect (karma).
2. Right Intention (Thought): Cultivate wholesome and compassionate intentions, free from greed, hatred, and delusion.
3. Right Speech: Abstain from false speech, divisive speech, harsh speech, and idle chatter. Speak truthfully, kindly, and meaningfully.
4. Right Action: Engage in ethical and moral conduct, avoiding actions that harm others. This includes refraining from killing, stealing, and engaging in sexual misconduct.
5. Right Livelihood: Choose an occupation that aligns with ethical principles and does not harm others. Avoid professions that involve dishonesty, exploitation, or harm.
6. Right Effort: Make a sustained effort to cultivate positive qualities, abandon unwholesome tendencies, and maintain a balanced and focused mind.
7. Right Mindfulness: Develop mindfulness and awareness in all activities, observing thoughts, feelings, and actions without attachment or aversion.
8. Right Concentration: Cultivate a focused and concentrated mind through meditation, leading to deep states of tranquility and insight.

The Eightfold Path is often depicted as a wheel, symbolizing these factors’ continuous and interconnected nature. Practicing the Eightfold Path is essential for achieving liberation from the cycle of suffering and rebirth, ultimately leading to enlightenment in Buddhism.

            Buddhism teaches a fundamental concept of Samsara, a perpetual cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that all living beings are subject to. This cycle represents the continuous process of existence, where individuals move through various forms of life, including human, animal, and celestial realms. There are, in general, six realms of the afterlife: gods (Deva), demi-gods (Assura), humans, animals, hungry ghosts, and hell beings. A being in any of the six realms of the afterlife can die and rebirth into any of the six realms. For example, a human can die and rebirth into any of the six realms of the afterlife. The gods and humans are considered favorable, while the others are negative. What determines which realm an individual will be reborn into is the individual’s karma.

            Karma, in Buddhist philosophy, is the law of cause and effect governing the consequences of one’s intentional actions. It serves as the mechanism through which individuals accumulate merit or demerit based on the morality of their deeds. Positive actions generate positive karma, leading to favorable future experiences and a higher quality of rebirth. Conversely, negative actions result in negative karma, contributing to a lower form of existence in subsequent rebirths. Karma is intimately tied to the notion of moral responsibility, emphasizing the impact of individual choices on the course of one’s life and the trajectory of one’s journey through Samsara.

Buddhists view Samsara as a process of suffering, marked by impermanence and dissatisfaction. No one can break free from this cycle of Samsara except the one who has attained enlightenment and lives in the state of Nirvana.