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'Monks, both formerly and now what I teach is suffering and the cessation of suffering.'
-Buddha, MN22. |
What is Early Buddhism?
Early Buddhism refers to the teachings of the historical Buddha, as presented in discourses of the Pali canon.
The historical Buddha presented a way of life built around the three pillars of ethics, meditation and wisdom. He was concerned with the problem of human suffering, and how one might live a life of freedom from those patterns of reactivity rooted in greed, hatred and ignorance which so often lead us into that suffering. He taught that, through a set of practices referred to as the Eightfold Path, one could ultimately shed the 'fetters' that bind us to suffering, and become free.
The Eightfold Path
In Samyutta Nikaya 56.11, the discourse on setting in motion the wheel of the Dhamma, the Buddha lays out the Eightfold Path, as follows:
There are many different translations and interpretations of the Eightfold Path, but the point is not really to figure out which interpretation is the correct one and blindly adopt it. The point is to live a life of care, compassion and ethical action, and these eight points are intended to help us move in that direction; we should take them as a starting point for our own personal exploration, rather than a doctrine to be 'believed'.
I've written more about the Eightfold Path in this article.
The Four Noble Truths, and four associated tasks
In the same vein, SN56.11 goes on to describe the wisdom that the Eightfold Path leads us to in terms of four 'Noble Truths', each of which has an associated task.
I've written more about the Four Noble Truths in this article.
Meditation in early Buddhism
We can group the meditation practices of early Buddhism into three categories:
You can find out about each of these types of practice in the associated pages. Please enjoy your explorations of this ancient and beautiful tradition!
Early Buddhism refers to the teachings of the historical Buddha, as presented in discourses of the Pali canon.
The historical Buddha presented a way of life built around the three pillars of ethics, meditation and wisdom. He was concerned with the problem of human suffering, and how one might live a life of freedom from those patterns of reactivity rooted in greed, hatred and ignorance which so often lead us into that suffering. He taught that, through a set of practices referred to as the Eightfold Path, one could ultimately shed the 'fetters' that bind us to suffering, and become free.
The Eightfold Path
In Samyutta Nikaya 56.11, the discourse on setting in motion the wheel of the Dhamma, the Buddha lays out the Eightfold Path, as follows:
- Right View: Coming to see clearly, with wisdom, the way things really are.
- Right Intention: Forming the intention to practise the Dhamma, come what may.
- Right Speech: Speaking in ways which avoid causing harm.
- Right Action: Ethical principles for living a life of kindness and generosity.
- Right Livelihood: Earning a living in a responsible manner.
- Right Effort: Pursuing the path with 'relaxed diligence' - not lazy, but not striving.
- Right Mindfulness: Cultivating mindfulness of body and mind, at all times and in all situations.
- Right Concentration: Focusing the mind with jhana practice.
There are many different translations and interpretations of the Eightfold Path, but the point is not really to figure out which interpretation is the correct one and blindly adopt it. The point is to live a life of care, compassion and ethical action, and these eight points are intended to help us move in that direction; we should take them as a starting point for our own personal exploration, rather than a doctrine to be 'believed'.
I've written more about the Eightfold Path in this article.
The Four Noble Truths, and four associated tasks
In the same vein, SN56.11 goes on to describe the wisdom that the Eightfold Path leads us to in terms of four 'Noble Truths', each of which has an associated task.
- We suffer. That suffering is to be fully known, even embraced. We must come to understand why our lives are so often unsatisfactory, and why we struggle against the way things are - why we fall into patterns of reactivity rooted in greed, hatred and delusion which rob us of our ability to act consciously in the face of the situation in front of us.
- Suffering arises due to causes and conditions. We are to train ourselves to see clearly the arising of our reactive patterns, and to let them go rather than allowing them to overwhelm us as they so often do.
- Just as it arises, suffering ceases. All things are ultimately impermanent, and suffering is no different. As we practise letting go of our reactivity, we experience the relief that ensues - the peace of freedom from reactivity, a momentary liberation from suffering.
- The Eightfold Path represents a training which leads to the letting go of suffering. This path is to be cultivated - we must practise living ethically and meditating in order to develop the wisdom and compassion which allows us to let go of our reactivity at the deepest level, and become free.
I've written more about the Four Noble Truths in this article.
Meditation in early Buddhism
We can group the meditation practices of early Buddhism into three categories:
- Jhana practice, which is a type of concentration practice that calms the mind and leads to powerful altered states of consciousness.
- Insight practice, which is a kind of investigation of experience that leads to profound shifts in the way we relate to ourselves and our lives.
- Brahmavihara practice, which is a form of heart-opening practice designed to cultivate the qualities of loving kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity.
You can find out about each of these types of practice in the associated pages. Please enjoy your explorations of this ancient and beautiful tradition!