5 Aggregates of Clinging...

The Panca Khanda are:
Rupa - Matter
Vedana - Feeling
Sanna - Perception
Sankhara - Mental Formations
Vinnana - Consciousness

And these 5 constitute all conditioned things, and thus are Dukkha. Our ignorance, avijja, blocks us from knowing the true nature of existence, hence we are sent through the unbreaking chain that is paticca samuppada. However, if we can eradicate our avijja through developing wisdom, panna, then we will see that our existence is no more than these 5 aggregates, always changing, with no permanent entity, and unsatisfactory. Then we will be able to taste the sweet liberation of Nibbana!

Paticca Samuppada

Avijja - Ignorance

Sankhara - Karmic Formations

Vinnana - Consciousness

Nama Rupa - Mind and Form

Ayatana - Sense Doors

Phassa - Feeling

Tanha - Craving

Upadana - Clinging

Bhava - Becoming

Jati - Birth

Marana - Death

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!

What does it mean to truly love somebody?

All the below are listed in the order of increasing difficulty to practise.

Selfish love - when one loves another because he wants to feel happy and wants the other half for himself only and forever

Selfless love (unconditional, Metta) - when one loves another for no reason except to provide that loving kindness without prejudice or condition

Compassionate love (Karuna) - when one loves another who is of less fortune than himself and he feels happy to provide that love

Altruistic love (Mudita) - when one feels happy about another's good fortune and celebrates the happiness and achievements of others

No love (equanimity, Upekkha) - when one is unperturbed by the outside and inside influences/changes, when there is no love, no hate, no self, no others, no thing