About Buddhism

About Buddhism

Gautama The Buddha, The Enlightened One.
He was the chief's son of a tribal group, the Shakyas, so he was born aKshatriya. At the age of twenty-nine, he left his family in order to lead an ascetic life. A few years later he reappears with a number of followers; he and his followers devote their lives to "The Middle Way," a lifestyle that is midway between a completely ascetic lifestyle and one that is world-devoted. At some point he gained "enlightenment" and began to preach this new philosophy.

1. The greatest achievement is selflessness.
2. The greatest worth is self-mastery.
3. The greatest quality is seeking to serve others.
4. The greatest precept is continual awareness.
5. The greatest medicine is the emptiness of everything.
6. The greatest action is not conforming with the worlds ways.
7. The greatest magic is transmuting the passions.
8. The greatest generosity is non-attachment.
9. The greatest goodness is a peaceful mind.
10. The greatest patience is humility.
11. The greatest effort is not concerned with results.
12. The greatest meditation is a mind that lets go.
13. The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances.

Atisha (11th century Tibetan Buddhist master)