Medicine Buddha
Artist: Trish Donroe Barker

Buddha Field
Artist: Paul Heussenstamm

Buddha in the Vines
Artist: Paul Heussenstamm

Kalachakra
Artist: Paul Heussenstamm

Buddha of Compassion
Artist: Paul Heussenstamm

Buddha Blue Lotus
Artist: Paul Heussenstamm

Buddhism is a spiritual practice and philosophy, that many consider to be a religion, the purpose of which is to awaken, or enlighten ourselves to the true meaning of life to end suffering.

At Buddhafuls, we feel that the concepts behind Buddhism are a powerful way to transform one's life into a meaningful and enjoyable experience, every step of the way. Meditation on images of Buddhas, and Buddhist lessons, has long since been used in Buddhism as a way to increase one's understanding of that Buddha or lesson. This is very core to our philosophy and a powerful reason why we've chosen to share our Buddhaful art prints and gifts with the world. Another powerful philosophy in Buddhism is "right intent", which basically means that if your intention is pure, then all will be okay. It is our intention to provide a very basic overview of Buddhism, in a way that can be easily understood, it's practices easily incorporated into every day life.

Buddhism is based on the Three Jewels; The Buddha, The Dharma and The Sangha

The Buddha

The word Buddha is a title. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "budhi", which means "to awaken".

Siddhārtha Gautama is believed to be “The Buddha”.  He was a prince who, upon seeing the suffering of his people, left his post as prince and began homeless life as a monk, with the intent to truly understand, and hence eliminate, suffering. After years of learning and meditation, he attained a state of mind that freed him from suffering (nirvana).  Upon attaining this state, he knew he must share this knowledge with others.

The Dharma

The word Dharma is derived from the Sanskrit root "dhr", which means "to uphold, to carry, to sustain".

The teachings of The Buddha, which are really considered natural laws that were re-realized by Gautama, are termed The Dharma.  They are basically “guidelines” for attaining enlightment and eliminating suffering.

The Sangha

The word Sangha comes from a word in Sanskrit which can be roughly translated as "company, assembly, association".

The Sangha this is the surrounding community of Buddhists which provide a refuge by preserving the teachings of the Buddha and providing living “proof” that the truth of the Buddha's teachings is attainable. Basically, it is difficult to quit smoking or eat right when we're surrounded by people who are smoking or eating unhealthy food. The Sangha basically says that the more your surrounding community mirrors what you'd like to acheive, the more likely you are to attain it.

Within the Dharma, or teachings, are layed out the steps, or lessons to moving towards and attaining enlightenment. In order to understand these lessons and teachings, we must first understand the following basic concepts or beliefs.

Karma - Karma is a basic explanation of cause and effect.  In Buddhism, it is believed that all thoughts, words and actions plant a seed in the mind which will come to fruition either in this life or another.  Good thoughts, words and actions bear good fruit for us, and other beings to enjoy.  Bad thoughts, bear bad fruit.  In this way, all that we put out into the universe returns to us.  As such, Buddhism teaches us to plant good seeds, thus creating good karma for ourselves, which then reduces suffering for ourselves and others.

Rebirth - Beings are believed to go through a succession of existences.  Because Buddhism rejects the idea of a permanent self, or even a self at all, this should be understood as a dynamic continuum, or process determined by the laws of Karma (cause and effect), as opposed to a rebirth into subsequent existences.

The Four Noble Truths

These are believed to be the first teachings of Gautama upon attaining enlightenment and are an explanation of the origins of suffering:

1. Life as we know it ultimately is or leads to suffering in one way or another.
2. Suffering is caused by craving or attachments to worldly pleasures of all kinds. This is often expressed as a deluded clinging to a certain sense of existence, to selfhood, or to the things or people that we consider the cause of happiness or unhappiness.
3. Suffering ends when craving ends, when one is freed from desire. This is achieved by eliminating all delusion, thereby reaching a liberated state of Enlightenment;
4. Reaching this liberated state is achieved by following the Noble Eight Foldpath laid out by the Buddha.

The Noble Eightfold path

There are 3 basic training practices in Buddhism.  Sila (Conduct), Samadhi (Concentration) and Panya (Wisdom)

Panya (Wisdom) (1 and 2 of the Eightfold Path)

Panya is the wisdom that purifies the mind, allowing one to attain spiritual insite and to see the true nature of things. It is spoken of as the principal means of attaining nirvāṇa.

1. dṛṣṭi (ditthi): viewing reality as it is, not just as it appears to be.
2. saṃkalpa (sankappa): intention of renunciation, freedom and harmlessness.

Sila (Conduct) (3 through 5 of the Eightfold Path)

Usually translated into English as “virtuous behavior” or “morality”, is an action commited through the body, mind or through speech which involves intentional effort.  It basically refers to purity of words, thoughts and actions.  The four conditions of sila are chastity, calmness, quiet and extinguishment and sila is the foundation of mind cultivation and meditation.  There are several levels of sila:

Basic Morality (Five Precepts)
Basic Morality with asceticism (Eight Precepts)
Novice Monkhood (Ten Precepts)
Monkhood (Vinaya)

Basic Morality (Five Precepts) – regular people vowing to follow Buddhist teachings usually undertake the Five Precepts.  These are basic rules which lead to a better life, good karma and the ability to meditate well.  The five precepts are:

1. To refrain from taking life (non-violence towards sentient life forms)
2. To refrain from taking that which is not given (not committing theft)
3. To refrain from sensual (including sexual) misconduct
4. To refrain from lying (speaking truth always)
5. To refrain from intoxicants which lead to loss of mindfulness (specifically, drugs and alcohol)

Basic Morality with asceticism (Eight Precepts) – those taking the five precepts may also vow to take on an additional 3 rules.  Additionally, the third precept above is made more strict and becomes a precept of celibacy:

6. To refrain from eating at the wrong time (only eat from sunrise to noon)
7. To refrain from dancing and playing music, wearing jewelry and cosmetics, attending shows and other performances
8. To refrain from using high or luxurious seats and bedding

The idea of additional precepts for pre-monkhood and monkhood is that as one increases their dedication, one’s ability to achieve Nirvana increases. Sila, with these precepts, basically covers the following of the Noble Eightfold Path:

3. vāc (vāca): speaking in a truthful and non hurtful way
4. karman (kammanta): actingin a non harmful way
5. ājīvana (ājīva): a non harmful livelihood

Samadhi (Concentration) (6 through 8 of the Eightfold Path)

This is traditionally developed by contemplating one of 40 different objects, such as mindful breathing, loving kindness, etc.  In this state one’s mind becomes purified and calm.  It is through Samadhi that the meditator can attain enlightenment

• Samādhi is the mental discipline required to develop mastery over one’s own mind. This is done through the practice of various contemplative and meditative practices, and includes:

6. vyāyāma (vāyāma): making an effort to improve
7. smṛti (sati): awareness to see things for what they are with clear consciousness, being aware of the present reality within oneself, without any craving or aversion
8. samādhi (samādhi): correct meditation or concentration, explained as the first 4 dhyānas

The Middle Way
This is said to have been discovered by Gautama prior to attaining enlightenment. As a part of his meditation, he was practicing ascetisism. This extreme led him to become extremely weak. He was offered rice milk and quickly recovered. It was at this time that he realized that extremes, even with the right intent, are counterproductive to our own enlightenment and the enlightenment of others. The Middle Way can be defined as the following:

1. The practice of non-extremism: a path of moderation away from the extremes of self-indulgence and opposing self-mortification.
2. The middle ground between certain metaphysical views (e.g., that things ultimately either exist or do not exist).
3. An explanation of nirvana (perfect enlightenment), a state wherein it becomes clear that all dualities apparent in the world are delusory.
4. Another term for emptiness, the ultimate nature of all phenomena, lack of inherent existence, which avoids the extremes of permanence and nihilism or inherent existence and nothingness.