| Buddhism is fast becoming a popular religion, even | | | | understand the true nature of life and the Four Noble |
| among Americans. It is attractive to people who prefer | | | | Truths. |
| a secular world view, but who also want some spiritual | | | | 2. Right Determination - This means you must |
| guidance for their lives. But what are the essentials of | | | | genuinely want to give up evil and be a good person. |
| the Buddhist philosophy? Luckily, Buddhism loves lists, | | | | 3. Right Speech - This means no lying, cursing, |
| and it is easy to break down the essentials of | | | | bragging, boasting, or gossiping. It also means only |
| Buddhism into a few lists. | | | | speaking the truth if that truth won't harm anyone. |
| The Four Noble Truths: | | | | 4. Right Action - This means that you conduct your |
| To be a Buddhist, you must first understand the Four | | | | behavior in a morally correct way at all times. Never |
| Noble Truths. These are: | | | | engage in dishonest behaviors, and never do any harm |
| 1. Everything in life and in nature is characterized by | | | | to others. |
| frustration, disharmony, and suffering. | | | | 5. Right Livelihood - You must have a profession or job |
| 2. All of our suffering arises as a result of our | | | | that you can feel good about. You cannot have a job |
| attachment to worldly objects. | | | | that brings harm to others, such as working in a |
| 3. The way to end our suffering is to cease our | | | | weapons factory. |
| attachment to these worldly objects. | | | | 6. Right Effort - You must put consistent effort into |
| 4. The way to cease our attachment to worldly | | | | your attempts to perform the previous steps. It is hard |
| objects is by following the Eightfold Path. | | | | work, but it can be accomplished with enough vigilance. |
| So far, so good. The Four Noble Truths teach us that | | | | 7. Right Mindfulness - You must keep your mind |
| life is characterized by suffering, but we can end this | | | | focused on the good and not on the bad. You must |
| suffering by following the Eightfold Path. What is the | | | | avoid drugs, alcohol, and other substances which can |
| Eightfold Path? As you may have guessed, it consists | | | | cloud the mind. |
| of eight requirements: | | | | 8. Right Concentration - It is important to continuously |
| The Eightfold Path: | | | | develop your powers of concentration. This can be |
| 1. Right Understanding - This means that you must | | | | achieved by meditating daily. |