What is dharma?

Dharma is a method of protecting ourselves from suffering. It is a key practice in Buddhism and absolutely necessary to be practiced as a monk. To eliminate suffering, it first has to be understood. The Four Noble Truths explain suffering and its origin.

Buddha's Basics

The Four Noble Truths are the basic teachings of Buddhism through Siddartha Gautama’s teachings themselves.The first one is "Dukkah." Dukkah is about emotional control while experiencing something bad. The fact that nothing bad lasts forever should comfort you and limit your reaction. The second noble truth is "Samudaya" which is not to be craving something and then focusing on not getting it. The third noble truth is "Nirodha" it's to stop suffering by not wanting something you know you can't have and the last noble truth is living by the ideals of the Eightfold path, and creating discipline in all areas of your life. The Eightfold path is a guideline of correct actions ethically, mentally, and through wisdom that will prevent suffering. This path includes right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.

The Eightfold path is a guideline of correct actions ethically, mentally, and through wisdom that will prevent suffering. This path includes right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.

Second Council

Buddhism itself was divided into three main religions. This division of Buddhist traditions took place as what is known as the “second council.” They held this council to settle disagreements that concerned the once unified Buddhist community. No one knows exactly what happened, but it was said that either hundreds of monks were expelled from the council, or left on purpose. Either way, the departure was caused by one group criticizing the other group for misunderstanding the Buddha’s teachings. Since Buddhism was taught for such a long time and so much of it, different people understood its meanings in different ways. This major disagreement caused two main traditions to emerge. Theravada and Mahayana were their names. Vajrayana was more known as a sub-tradition because it emerged from original beliefs of Mahayana. All traditions of Buddhism are sometimes considered “vehicles” because these traditions are believed to steer you across life and all of its rebirths.

All of the forms of Buddhism are alike through their path of Nirvana. But the main difference between the three is that Mahayana and Vajrayana are focused on the goal of becoming a bodhisattvas, while Theravada is focused on practicing liberation from reincarnation through Nirvana. No matter which type of Buddhism is followed, liberation, salvation, and peace is worked towards and guided for humanity.