About Buddhism
Buddhism is the practice of Buddha Shakyamuni‘s teachings and the inner experiences or realizations of these teachings. The teachings of Buddha have a timeless and universal relevance and can be practiced by anyone in any culture, regardless of race, gender, or age. In all, Buddha Shakyamuni gave eighty-four thousand teachings, revealing many profound methods of spiritual training, all of these trainings are practical ways to purify and control our mind.
Buddha first gave his teachings over two and half thousand years ago. Since that time they have been preserved in a pure form and passed down from Teacher to disciple in an unbroken lineage that is still alive today. Thanks to the kindness of these previous Teachers, we are able to listen to and practice exactly the same Dharma as Buddha originally taught.
Protection From Suffering and Problems
By putting these methods into practice we will gain a special experience of mental peace. By continuing to improve this experience, our deluded states of mind will gradually diminish and our inner peace will grow. Eventually, by abandoning delusions altogether we shall attain the permanent inner peace of nirvana, just like Buddha himself. Having overcome our own delusions, such as anger, attachment, and ignorance, and developed profound spiritual realizations of universal love, compassion, concentration, and wisdom, our ability to help others will be far greater.
In this way we can help others solve their problems not just for a few days or a few years, but forever. We can help them find an inner peace and joy that nothing, not even death, can destroy. This unchanging inner peace is the final goal of the Buddhist path.
Practicing Dharma
By practicing Buddha’s teachings, or Dharma, we protect ourself from suffering and problems. All the problems we experience during daily life originate in ignorance, and the method for eliminating ignorance is to practice Dharma.
Practicing Dharma is the supreme method for improving the quality of our human life because the quality of life depends not upon external development or material progress, but upon the inner development of peace and happiness.
Source: New Kadampa Tradition – International Kadampa Buddhist Union
kadampa.org
