Buddhism / Derrick Baker

What is the human condition in Buddhism? I think that it's simply trying to "free" you from cravings and desires. In the mind of the Buddha we are bound and held back from truly being "enlightened". First we need to know the 4 Nobel Truths. First dukkha or suffering, physical and mental. Sickness, pain, fear, depression. The world is always changing; we live in a world of impermanence. We can be happy one moment and totally be changed by a reaction or emotion. Next trishna is the craving or desire. This is the origin of suffering. These things we crave could be physical objects around us or things we are attached to emotionally like wealth or fame. So we understand in life we will have sufferings, and that these sufferings come from our own cravings and desires. So to brighten everything up, get rid of your cravings and realize that you would be better off without them. If it was only that easy. So we have to have nirvana and a cease to these cravings. A way to extinguish or "blow it out".

What is the solution to this condition and how do we get there? As stated the purpose is to free you from craving and desires and to be able to cease these sufferings. So how do we do this? Through the 8-Fold Path. We have to have the right views and the right intent through wisdom. Next is our ethical conduct. We have to have the right speech which reveals our character. We have to have the right conduct and not to kill, steal, lie, drink intoxicants, and become unchaste. And we must have a right livelihood or occupation. Meaning we couldn't deal in weapons, raise animals for slaughter, work in meat production, or make or sell any drugs or alcohol. Now that see the right way to live we go back and touch on our minds approach to things. We have the right views and intent and are now able to focus on mental development. We have to have the right effort. Meaning "He who takes the longest strides does not walk farthest." We have to have the right mindfullness, to have a clear consciousness and to be able to see the ways things really are. Lastly we must be in the right concentration through meditating and concentrating on wholesome thoughts and actions.

How is it best to live the solution in our own lives? If your living according to the Buddha, that would be living a life according to the 8-Fold Path. However, in the end we are the authority. Even the Buddha himself says not to accept what you hear by report. Not to accept tradition nor a statement because it is found in our books, nor because it is an accord with your belief, nor because it it the saying of your teacher. Be lamps unto yourselves. Those who either now or after I'm dead shall rely upon themselves only and not look for assistance to anyone besides themselves, it is they who shall reach the topmost high. But what then when you reach this "topmost high"? In Buddhism you have no soul and nothing after this life. I personally cannot buy into this. There's so much more than this life we can't imagine. I find it sad and depressing thinking that there is nothing after this...but maybe I really don't know what "this" is until I have reached enlightenment, nirvana, or sat in study under a Bodhi tree.