What is Buddhism?

The teaching of the Buddha - also known as Buddhism - is an unsentimental and unpretentious way to freedom and happiness. First and foremost it builds upon experience. Buddhism is not packed with dogma and rules that you are required to follow, but encourages critical questioning. The teachings of the Buddha begin by recognizing life as it is.

Now, don't believe my words because a Buddha told you, but examine them well. Be a light unto yourselves.

-- Buddha

The Buddha taught because he wanted his students to experience the same freedom and happiness that he himself experienced. He did not ask for worship from any student but strove to develop him or her into his equal. In this way Buddhism is not a religion in the ordinary sense, and is in its foundation free from the concept of any outer force presiding over the world of men. Buddhism's path to freedom and happiness has been practiced throughout the past 2,500 years. Since the time of the Buddha many have realized the nature of mind, and today Buddhist methods are just as effective in the West as they have been in the East. Buddha's teachings aim at the full development and freedom of body, speech and mind. The goal of the Buddhist is to recognize the nature of mind - to become a Buddha. The practice consists of calming the mind and then training one to transcend the idea of a fixed and unchanging sense of ‘I' or ego.

Buddhism has about 350 million practitioners worldwide. Until 1970s Buddhism was mainly an Asian philosophy but the timeless view of the Diamond Way and its methods is appealing to a growing number of well educated and independent people in North and South America, United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Russia.

 Who is Buddha?

Born into a royal family of a highly developed culture about 2560 years ago, the young prince from northern India enjoyed extremely privileged circumstances and up until the age of 29 he had known only pleasure. Leaving his palace for the first time, his world was turned upside down. Over three consecutive days he saw a very sick person, somebody old and someone who had died. Upon his recognition of the inevitability of old age, sickness, death and the impermanence of everything, he became deeply troubled. Leaving his home and family he wandered the country in search of teachings that could overcome death and suffering. At the age of 35, after six years of deep meditation, he realized the true nature of mind and was enlightened. He therefore became a Buddha, the one awakened from the sleep of ignorance. The Buddha now experienced the world as it is, without adding or removing anything. With neither expectations nor fear but was simply present and aware of the here and now. He experienced mind as something open, clear and limitless and could therefore handle any situation with fearless joy and active compassion. He then spent the remaining 45 years of his life teaching others so that they could do the same.

The Buddha never claimed to be anything other than a human being. Even though he had insight into the life situations of all beings and knew how to help each person individually, he (or his followers) never proclaimed himself to be a god, a savior or a prophet.

The Buddha was the first, but not the last - enlightened being of our age. The only difference between the Buddha and anyone else is that the Buddha realized his potential. This is something anyone can do just as well.

Are there different types of Buddhism?

Buddha gave instructions to three main types of people; Small Way or Hinayana to those who wanted to avoid suffering received information about cause and effect. Great Way or Mahayana to those who wanted to do more for others, were given instructions on compassion and wisdom. Diamond Way or Vajrayana to his closest students he shared the highest view of mind called the Great Seal or Mahamudra.

Diamond Way Buddhism

The Diamond Way is the English word for Vajrayana, the highest and most advanced teachings of the Buddha. The name is derived from the perfect purity of a diamond, its durability, namely forever, and symbolizes enlightened mind. The Karma Kagyu School is one of the four great Buddhist lineages of Tibet. The lineage constitutes a living transmission that can be traced back directly to the enlightened Indian yogis Tilopa, Naropa, and Matripa. The teachings of the Karma Kagyu Lineage all originate from the historical Buddha Shakyamuni. His teachings were practiced in India during the first 1,500 years after the death of the Buddha and then in Tibet for the following 1,000 years.

The effective methods of this path are exceedingly powerful and aim at giving the practitioner a direct experience of the nature of mind. The actual founder of the Kagyu tradition was the layman Marpa (1012-1097), and the First Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa (1110-1193), continued to spread with the establishment of the Karma Kagyu School. The school is known for its impressive list of enlightened masters, among these Marpa, Milarepa, Gampopa and of course the Karmapa, the spiritual head of the school. He is one of the few great Tibetan Lamas who have been instrumental in raising and developing an interest in Buddhism in the West.

In the Diamond Way the relationship between student and teacher is the heart of the practice. The teacher is the one who passes on his insight to the student. This transference of knowledge and methods has been kept alive since the time of the Buddha. Without a teacher there is no transmission and therefore the Lama is thought of very highly. Since the Lama passes the methods of the Buddha on to the student he is considered as important as the Buddha himself. In actuality the Lama provides three things that the student needs on his way: Blessing, Development, and Protection. Blessing is the feeling of openness and trust resulting in the belief that the goal is achievable.

During the past 30 years many of the school’s Lamas have inspired countless people with their great wisdom and compassion. The 16th Karmapa (1924-1981) was doubtless the most important Lama of his time, and his activity continues today through the work of the 17th Karmapa, Trinley Thaye Dorje. More recently, Lamas such as the 14th Shamarpa, Lopon Tsechu Rinpoche, Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche, and the Danish Lama Ole Nydahl have been some of the most revered and appreciated Lamas in the West.