The Buddha-Dharma

The Foundation and Heart of the Buddha's Teaching and of Buddhist Practice is the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path.

The Four Noble Truths

1...Life is dukkha. 

Dukkha may be translated as unsatisfactoriness, stress, discomfort,

dis-ease, or even disappointment. The word suffering is a very

limited translation of dukkha. The Buddha said, “Birth is dukkha,

aging is dukkha, sickness is dukkha, death is dukkha."

2...Dukkha is caused by desire or want.

I want this, I do not want that.

3...There is freedom from dukkha.

4...This freedom is realized by following the Noble Eightfold Path:

Proper Understanding (Right View)...Understanding of the Buddha's Teaching and the real nature of existence: Impermanent, Dukkha, No-Self.

Proper Thoughts...“We are what we think.”

Proper Speech...Harmonized communication.

Proper Action...Morals and ethics: the Five Precepts – 1) Respect Life, 2) Respect the Property of Others, 3) Sexual Responsibility, 4) Respect for Language, and 5) Respect for Oneself. 

Proper Livelihood...A respectful and harmless way of life. The Buddha suggested there are five professions a Practitioner should avoid. They are 1) the manufacture and/or selling of weapons or instruments for killing, 2) business in human beings, the slave trade and prostitution, 3) the raising, selling, killing, or butchering of living beings for their flesh, 4) the manufacture and/or selling of intoxicating drinks or drugs (because cigarettes are so very addictive, many Practitioners include tobacco in this list), and 5) the manufacture and/or selling of poisons.

Proper Effort (Right Diligence)...Dynamic mental process directed to self-discipline and cultivation of the mind.

Proper Mindfulness...Awareness of ones actions, words, and thoughts.

Proper Concentration...A one-pointed mind. Maintaining evenness, equanimity.