Did the Buddha say, “There is no self”? To answer this question, I turn to an article from Access to Insight written by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. He begins by saying that anatta, the Buddhist doctrine of no self, is one of the first major obstacles for Westerners trying to understand Buddhism. He writes: First, the idea … Read more
You are never in complete control of your life. Letting go of this illusion realigns you with the flow of your current circumstances and lets them work for you rather than against you. This is what mindfulness meditation can help you achieve by providing insight into the three marks of existence. Contrary to popular … Read more
What is Theravada Buddhism? You must have heard about different schools of Buddhism, such as Theravada, Mahayana, and Zen, to name a few. Which one should you study first? This article argues that you should start with Theravada Buddhism because it provides a solid foundation for exploring other Buddhist schools and their teachings. Why Learn … Read more
When my good acquaintance relocated abroad, got married, and moved up a career ladder, I felt a sting of envy. Even today, I’m embarrassed for my reaction. But it wasn’t surprising. The news came at a time when I was single and hated my job. Hearing of anyone’s success — much less of someone’s I … Read more
Much has been written over the centuries about Buddhism and what its teaching really means. The word “enlightenment” is tossed around like a giant ball of cotton candy — delicious, fluffy but, ultimately, without much substance. This happens because “while second-hand wisdom is valuable as a signpost pointing the way, it is too easily … Read more