The Teaching

A Vietnamese Temple

The Buddha taught human anxiety and stress are caused by self-centered desire. The ultimate aim of the wise—or religious—person should be the elimination of this desire—which can be attained through an experiential understanding of reality, and by following the Eightfold Path which leads to the realization of Nirvana (an understanding or state transcending the limitation of self-centered existence). The steps in this Path include appropriate belief, resolve, speech, conduct, occupation, effort, awareness, and meditation.