Buddhism is based on the spiritual experiences of Siddhartha Gautama, an ascetic who lived in India about 2500 years ago. He taught about awareness and life as lived. These are the truths (Dharma) by which we try to think and live.

These principles include the Four Marks of Existence, Dependent Co-arising, and the Four Noble Truths. Since these principles are intertwined, clear understanding of one principle leads to understanding of all the principles.

Of these, the principle of the Four Noble Truths is perhaps the most well known. These truths are:

1. Suffering is everywhere.

2. The cause of suffering is our own ego.

3. Suffering ceases when the causes and conditions of suffering are removed.

4. The Eightfold Noble Path leads to the cessation of suffering.

29/10/09