Nirvana is considered the ultimate goal of Buddhist practice and the pinnacle of the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. But its exact definition remains ever elusive. “It has been said by one witty scholar that all we have to go on is our misconception of Nirvana, because until we have realised it … Read more
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
In Buddhism, meditation means “mental culture.” One of its main aims, among other things, is to cleanse your mind of impurities and disturbances. The main obstacles to achieving this goal are the five hindrances, which erode the foundation of your conduct in its mental, verbal, and physical dimensions. “It is helpful to explore the … Read more