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that depends on the school of buddhism you are referring to. One school would sum it up as being
"all things are impermanent and empty of inherent existence." (that's a quote from the Simpsons actually but it mimics most people's views of Buddhism.
Another school of Buddhism would sum up Buddhism by saying
"whatever form, feelings, perception, experience, and consciousness there is, these he sees to be as suffering, as impermanent, as empty, so he turns his mind/will away from these and gathers his citta within the realm of immortality, that which is most excellent."
Or,
"The tathagatta is without the mark of all things, he dwells upwards within the signless inflexured mind/will, there within, Ananda, dwell with the light as your soul, with the soul as refuge, with none other as refuge."
The first quote fits into the Anatta forms of Buddhism, whereas the second and third quote fit more into what some consider to be original buddhism and what I consider to be most similar to other philosophies concerning the absolute such as Boethius and Plotinus.
Wow - I really liked this thread thanks for creating it tim45174. I find pithy phrases really help me to think clearly particularly when I re-express them in my own words.
I think Federica has got it spot on. If I were to rephrase it in my own words I'd say: "The aim of buddhism is to end the suffering created by an untamed (unenlightened) mind".
If I was allowed a 2nd sentence I'd say "The methods of that taming (training) are Buddhist teachings in Ethics, Meditation and Wisdom.
How about starting a new thread, something along the lines of "the Method of Buddhism in 1 sentence", personally I'd be really interested to see what everyone came up with.
Cheers
Sam
The Buddha's already done it: "I come to teach the origin of suffering and the cessation of suffering."
Who me? Nobody really just a London based wannabe Buddhist who wants to get his practice together and who is trying to get it clear in his mind what type of life and way of being the Buddha was advocating as the path. Meditation is the obvious aspect but I have read that the foundation is Ethics and all else is built on that.
Thanks for the friendly welcome by the way.
Sam
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federicaSeeker of the clear blue sky...Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubtModerator
Who are you?
For someone who's only been here 5 minutes that's a pretty "in your face" question... Are you thinking Samp is someone (else) in particular?
Welcome Samp. I hope you find something useful - and friendly - here.
I Googled it. Below is what I found in a few minutes.
I like the first one.
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When I drink tea, I know I am drinking a cloud.
Buddhism is a set of teachings and practices whose aim is the utter elimination of suffering and attainment of complete happiness, achieved through deep insight into the true nature of reality.
Buddhism is the art of being kind and letting go.
Practice non-clinging.
Seeing things as they really are.
I'd say to him/her that it can't be expressed in one sentence, and then ask if she or he really wants to know.
Buddhism is traditionally conceived as a path of liberation attained through insight into the ultimate nature of reality.
Buddhism is the method to awaken oneself as taught by the One who has been awakened.
Dealing with every situation appropriately.
Buddha said, "I teach one thing and one only: suffering and the end of suffering."
Buddhism is where we're going.
All that is subject to arising is subject to cessation.
Stop doing harm, learn to be kind, purify your mind - that is the Buddha's teaching.
Mine is pretty lame but let me try: Decrease your suffering by decreasing you craving by practicing skillful view, intention, action, speech, livelihood, effort, concentration and mindfulness.
Lol, these are fun and I enjoyed reading them. I think I own a book with little Buddhist quotes. Newbuddhist.com should print a book, and put some of these in it. It could be titled Buddhism in a Sentence: according to a bunch of internet addicts.
You are caught in an eternal spin cycle of suffering , so detach from your self and your cravings, be virtuous, have meditation, and use your wisdom to free yourself from this predicament.
The entire teaching of Buddhism can be summed up in this way:
Nothing is worth holding on to.
If you let go of everything, Objects Concepts Teachers Buddha Self Senses Memories Life Death Freedom Let go and all suffering will cease. The world will appear in its pristine self-existing nature, and you will experience the freedom of the Buddha.
- From the book: "Living Dharma: Teachings of Twelve Buddhist Monks", pg.31
Comments
EDIT:
lol, or that.
"all things are impermanent and empty of inherent existence." (that's a quote from the Simpsons actually but it mimics most people's views of Buddhism.
Another school of Buddhism would sum up Buddhism by saying
"whatever form, feelings, perception, experience, and consciousness there is, these he sees to be as suffering, as impermanent, as empty, so he turns his mind/will away from these and gathers his citta within the realm of immortality, that which is most excellent."
Or,
"The tathagatta is without the mark of all things, he dwells upwards within the signless inflexured mind/will, there within, Ananda, dwell with the light as your soul, with the soul as refuge, with none other as refuge."
The first quote fits into the Anatta forms of Buddhism, whereas the second and third quote fit more into what some consider to be original buddhism and what I consider to be most similar to other philosophies concerning the absolute such as Boethius and Plotinus.
“Of what use is a concept, however “True,” unless we can directly touch, and know it, experientially?”
Peace and Love,
S9/Leslie
mine: "the truth will set you free, live, love and Be NOW, and i don't care."
I think Federica has got it spot on. If I were to rephrase it in my own words I'd say: "The aim of buddhism is to end the suffering created by an untamed (unenlightened) mind".
If I was allowed a 2nd sentence I'd say "The methods of that taming (training) are Buddhist teachings in Ethics, Meditation and Wisdom.
How about starting a new thread, something along the lines of "the Method of Buddhism in 1 sentence", personally I'd be really interested to see what everyone came up with.
Cheers
Sam
Nobody really just a London based wannabe Buddhist who wants to get his practice together and who is trying to get it clear in his mind what type of life and way of being the Buddha was advocating as the path. Meditation is the obvious aspect but I have read that the foundation is Ethics and all else is built on that.
Thanks for the friendly welcome by the way.
Sam
Are you thinking Samp is someone (else) in particular?
Welcome Samp. I hope you find something useful - and friendly - here.
Sorry if I offended.
Much love.
It's a beautiful question!
I'm glad folks have got a sense of humour around here!
Sam
"My" Lama said to me, "Beeeeeee HAPPYYYYY! Noooooooooo negative thinking!!"
live and let live (ahimsa), live and let die (anything that produces suffering)
There are a lot of sentences in this thread.
Bugs Bunny
I like the first one.
--------------
When I drink tea, I know I am drinking a cloud.
Buddhism is a set of teachings and practices whose aim is the utter elimination of suffering and attainment of complete happiness, achieved through deep insight into the true nature of reality.
Buddhism is the art of being kind and letting go.
Practice non-clinging.
Seeing things as they really are.
I'd say to him/her that it can't be expressed in one sentence, and then ask if she or he really wants to know.
Buddhism is traditionally conceived as a path of liberation attained through insight into the ultimate nature of reality.
Buddhism is the method to awaken oneself as taught by the One who has been awakened.
Dealing with every situation appropriately.
Buddha said, "I teach one thing and one only: suffering and the end of suffering."
Buddhism is where we're going.
All that is subject to arising is subject to cessation.
Stop doing harm, learn to be kind, purify your mind - that is the Buddha's teaching.
Mine is pretty lame but let me try:
Decrease your suffering by decreasing you craving by practicing skillful view, intention, action, speech, livelihood, effort, concentration and mindfulness.
That's all. Advanced? Nah.
It sucks. Oh well.
Nothing is worth holding on to.
If you let go of everything,
Objects
Concepts
Teachers
Buddha
Self
Senses
Memories
Life
Death
Freedom
Let go and all suffering will cease. The world will appear in its pristine self-existing nature, and you will experience the freedom of the Buddha.
- From the book: "Living Dharma: Teachings of Twelve Buddhist Monks", pg.31