Buddha Community

 Teachings - The Dhamma



 

 

 The best way to become familiar with Buddhist teachings is to combine a little study with much practice. And the best way to start to practice is to talk to and get to know other lay people who are treading the same path. There are many meditation groups which offer support to both new and experienced practitioners as well as workshops and retreats. Another invaluable support is to listen to some discourses at a Buddhist Vihara or Monastery, or recorded tapes, by good teachers such as Ajahn Sumedho or the Dalai Lama. 

The word 'Dhamma' means both the Buddha's teachings and also the 'way things are'. Buddhist teachings are always pointing to the way things are in our lives and the world. They are not concerned with hiding the truth beneath fantasy or wishful thinking, but with teaching us to recognise the truth of our existence here and now.

Even some limited research will show that there are a huge number of modern Buddhist books, as well as a large amount of scriptural material. The good news is that we do not have to have read all of this - even a little is enough. Enlightenment is not realised through learning and logical deduction, although our powers of reasoning and intelligence are very useful allies.

The teachings include :

the four noble truths (including the noble eightfold path)
the precepts (Sila)
the three characteristics of being
the brahma viharas
kamma
dependent origination
the seven factors of enlightenment
the perfections

There are  lots of others, but just the first on this list can take you to enlightenment...