Buddhism On the Go

Our modern world is a tapestry of intricate systems, rapid advancements, and global interconnections. With each technological leap and societal shift, we face increasingly complex ethical dilemmas, from the boardrooms of multinational corporations to the frontiers of genetic science and the burgeoning realm of artificial intelligence. How do we make decisions that are not just expedient, but truly wise and compassionate? Many look to modern ethical theories, but often overlook a profound, non-prescriptive, yet deeply insightful guide from antiquity: the ethical framework of Early Buddhism. Far from being a rigid set of rules, its core principles offer a powerful lens through which to analyze and navigate the moral complexities of our time. Beyond Rules: Intention and Impact At the heart of Early Buddhist ethics lies an emphasis on intention (cetanā) . It's not just about the external act, but the mental state from which that act arises. Are our decisions driven ...

Early Buddhism presents a profound and systematic path to liberation, centered on understanding the fundamental nature of reality. While often summarized by the Four Noble Truths, the deeper mechanics of this liberation lie in the interplay between the Tilakkhana —the three characteristics of existence—and the principle of Paticca-samuppada , or Dependent Origination. This interconnected understanding is not merely philosophical; it is a practical roadmap for extinguishing the "fires" of defilement and breaking free from the endless cycle of rebirth. By recognizing the inherent impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, and non-self nature of all conditioned phenomena, we dismantle the causal mechanisms that perpetuate suffering and rebirth. The Foundation: Tilakkhana (The Three Characteristics) The Buddha’s teachings assert that all conditioned existence, everything that arises, persists, and ceases, is marked by three universal characteristics: 1. Anicca (Impermanence) Eve...

Understanding impermanence (anicca) and non-self (anatta) , two core Buddhist concepts, offers powerful tools for navigating the constant changes, uncertainties, and anxieties of modern life. They directly address the suffering caused by clinging to possessions, relationships, and expectations. Impermanence (Anicca): Embracing the Flow of Change The Buddha taught that everything is impermanent . This isn't just about big, obvious changes like seasons or life and death; it's about the fundamental, moment-to-moment flux of all phenomena. Our bodies, thoughts, feelings, relationships, possessions, achievements – nothing stays the same. How it helps with modern anxieties: Reducing Fear of Loss and Change: Much of our anxiety stems from a deep-seated desire for things to last, for comfort zones to remain stable, or for pleasant experiences to continue indefinitely. When change inevitably occurs, this clinging to permanence leads to dist...

The Meditative Nexus Elaborating on how Interdependent Origination, the Cessation of Suffering (Nirodha), and the cultivation of Impermanence (Anicca) and Selflessness (Anatta) can contribute to individual and societal mental health and well-being is a rich and crucial area for modern application. These core Buddhist concepts offer a profound framework for understanding and transforming suffering. 1 1. Interdependent Origination (Pa ṭ icca-samuppāda): The Web of Well-being and Distress Interdependent Origination, or Dependent Origination, is the Buddha's radical insight into the nature of reality. 2 It states that everything arises in dependence upon other factors. Nothing exists independently; all phenomena are interconnected in a vast web of cause and effect. 3 Impact on Individual Mental Health: Deconstructing Suffering: When applied to the mind, Dependent Origination reveals how mental states, both wholesome and unwholesome, arise. 4 The classic twelv...

In the heart of Buddhist insight lies a profound observation: all phenomena arise, abide, and cease . This triadic rhythm reflects the Tilakkhana — the Three Marks of Existence — which illuminate the nature of reality as impermanent (anicca) , unsatisfactory (dukkha) , and not-self (anattā) . 🔍 What Is Tilakkhana? Tilakkhana (Pāli: ti-lakkha ṇ a ) refers to the three universal characteristics that apply to all conditioned phenomena: Pāli Term English Meaning Implication Anicca Impermanence Nothing lasts; all things change Dukkha Unsatisfactoriness Clinging leads to suffering Anattā Not-self No permanent essence or controller These are not abstract doctrines but experiential truths. They are meant to be seen directly through contemplation and meditative insight. 🌱 Arising – The Nature of Origination All conditioned things come into...

In the Majjhima Nikāya 9 , Ven. Sāriputta offers a luminous exposition on right view ( sammādi ṭṭ hi )—not as mere belief, but as a living discernment of cause and effect. Among the sixteen cases he analyzes, the section on the ten unwholesome (akusala) and ten wholesome (kusala) actions stands out as a practical and philosophical cornerstone. 🧨 The Ten Unwholesome Actions (Dasa Akusala) Grouped into three domains: Bodily misconduct : Killing ( pā ṇ ātipāta ) Stealing ( adinnādāna ) Sexual misconduct ( kāmesumicchācāra ) Verbal misconduct : Lying ( musāvāda ) Divisive speech ( pisu ṇ avācā ) Harsh speech ( pharusavācā ) Idle chatter ( samphappalāpa ) Mental misconduct : Covetousness ( abhijjhā ) Ill will ( byāpāda ) Wrong view ( micchādi ṭṭ hi ) Origin : These arise from the three roots of unwholesomeness— lobha (greed), dosa (hatred), and moha (de...