Buddhism provides a radical viewpoint on ourselves and the world we live in, based on love, compassion and wisdom. It enables us to live more satisfying, meaningful lives and to help others to do the same.
The basic teachings of Buddhism are straightforward and practical: nothing is fixed or permanent; actions have consequences; change is possible, and there is an interconnectedness at the heart of things. Living a life based on these teachings means to live life from a kind and open heart. Buddhism promotes living an ethical life that will transform our lives and our world. We are encouraged to try the teachings for ourselves and practise what we find helpful. Buddhism addresses itself to all people, irrespective of race, nationality, or gender. The Buddha taught practical methods (such as meditation) which enable us to realise and utilise his teachings in order to transform our experience, to be fully responsible for our lives, and to develop the qualities of wisdom and compassion.
Buddhism shows us how to follow a practical path of spiritual development leading to insight into the true nature of life. The Buddha’s insight could be described as seeing that all things arise in dependence upon conditions. Buddhist practices such as meditation are means of changing oneself in order to develop the qualities of awareness, kindness, and wisdom. The experience developed within the Buddhist tradition over thousands of years has created an incomparable resource for all those who wish to follow a path – a path which ultimately culminates in Enlightenment or Buddhahood.