What is perfect enlightenment?

After spending 6 years trying to find the solution for human suffering, Buddha finally got there. At that time, it was named Nirvana. It was the end of a path out of the domination of instincts and cravings.  Years later, understanding better that Buddha was talking about a…

Necessary teachings for a Buddhist

Let’s talk about what is necessary to learn in order to become a Buddhist. We must remember that Buddhists follow the teachings of Buddha, teachings that made the meaning of life very unique for its followers. The end of the road is the end of suffering Buddha´s main…

The history of Buddhism

The emergence of Buddhism is somewhat unclear. At the time it might have happened, there were not many records of events. Some say Buddha was born 25, 26 centuries ago. Some other stories about him say his enlightenment happened on a full moon night after a day of…

Is Buddhism a religion or a philosophy?

Religion and Buddhism Religion today represents a group of dogmas (unquestionable truths) and rituals. To be part of a religion a person must believe in a certain belief system which drives him to behave in a certain expected way.  Buddhism on the other hand is not a religion.…

The path to Enlightenment: How do we awaken?

“The Buddha taught that the unenlightened human being lives in a state that may be compared to sleep or to a dream. Through the clear light of wisdom, and completely unaided, the Buddha is the one who has awakened from that dream to the true nature of existence.…

What is the purpose of life, according to Buddhism?

The Buddhist purpose of life has to do with the meaning of the word Buddhi. This word means to be awakened. So, we can say the purpose in life for a Buddhist is to become awakened, or to reach enlightenment. But what motivates Buddhists towards this direction is…

Do Buddhists believe in a soul? What is the illusion of the soul?

Among all the novel ideas brought forward by the Buddhist tradition, there’s a fundamental concept that guarantees the development towards enlightenment, this concept is Rebirth. It’s common to hear people saying reincarnation, but reincarnation is different from rebirth. Reincarnation As the word says, reincarnation means re-enter the flesh…

What is Rebirth? How does reincarnation work?

Buddhists believe that we’re on a path of constant transformation. The person reading this line now is not the same that read the title of the article. This is why there’s a famous Buddhist saying that states that “no man bathes twice in the same river”. According to…

What is the way of Inquiry?

“It is proper for you, Kalamas, to doubt, to be uncertain; uncertainty has arisen in you about what is doubtful. Come, Kalamas. Do not go upon what has been acquired by repeated hearing; nor upon tradition; nor upon rumor; nor upon what is in a scripture; nor upon…

How does a Buddhist meditate?

Meditation is a natural part of  Buddhist life. And it is gaining more and more practitioners even if their practice is not linked to Buddhism. What is interesting about Buddhist methodology is that there are many ways of practicing and many reasons to do so, which we will…