What is Buddhism?

When Buddha attained Nirvana, he spend 49 days meditating and just experiencing pure bliss and supreme happiness, untainted by any negative thoughts or feelings. Only after that 7 weeks of enjoyment, he decided to spread the truth.

But what did he teach?

Essentially, Buddhism can be summed up in these 4 points:
1) Dukkha (Suffering)
2) Samudaya (Origin)
3) Nirodha (Cessation)
4) Magga (Way)

All of existence is suffering. From the moment we are born till we grow old, fall sick and eventually die. Not getting what we want, getting what we do not want. All these are forms of suffering.

Suffering arises from the delusion that there is a self, a permanent entity called "I". When there is this delusion of "I", then there is the delusion of "My". When there is this delusion of "My", then we start to grasp at things. We crave for things. We crave for sensual pleasures, for being, and for not being. All of this promotes greed. When we do not get what we want, we become angry and upset. Hatred arises, and we become deluded all over again that someone has hurt us.

But Buddha also said that there is an opposite state from suffering, and it is called Nirvana. It is the complete absence of craving, a state of mind where nothing can make one unhappy, and he is always constantly in a perfect state of bliss, of pure happiness. And this state is achievable by everyone!

How to achieve this perfect state of mind called Nirvana? By studying, practising and realizing the Noble Eightfold Path, which comprises of Right UTSALEMC: Understanding, Thought, Speech, Action, Livelihood, Effort, Mindfulness, Concentration. By studying, one gains awareness. By practising, one learns through example. By realizing, one is freed from Samsara.

So, Buddhism is as simple as that. And the Buddha is such a master teacher that he can sum up his entire teaching in one word: Dukkha. By reflecting on this word, you realize that everything in this world is Dukkha. And by reflecting further, you realize the cause of Dukkha is this delusion of a permanent self, and the constant craving for material things, and the dissatisfaction when you do not get the things you want. But Buddha also says that there is also an opposite state called Nirvana which is the complete absence of Dukkha. And this state is achievable not by an external agent or god, but within each and every one of us. And not only that, he even taught us the path, step by step, how to escape from Dukkha and attain Nirvana. Wow, Buddha is cool!