The historical Buddha was born in approximately 570 B.C. in Northern India. As a young man he spent six years searching and meditating. He then recognized the true nature of mind, thus becoming Buddha - the "awakened one." His teachings, which make beings fearless, joyful and kind, are the main religion of several East Asian countries.

Since the early seventies, Buddhism's profound view and vast number of methods have inspired and fascinated a growing number of people in Western cultures. Buddha is seen as a timeless mirror of mind's inherent potential.

His teachings

The Buddha gave methods by which full enlightenment may be attained. He made clear which teachings relate to ultimate or conditional truth. The Buddha showed his students in practical and understandable ways how to use all experiences in life as steps toward enlightenment, giving methods that lead to deep and lasting happiness.

He encouraged his students to be skeptical, inviting them to thoroughly check for themselves, whether his teachings were dogmatic or truly liberating. Buddhist meditation methods can generate powerful inner change enabling experiences to be integrated directly towards enriching our lives. These skillful methods allow the levels of consciousness already reached through meditation to become anchored in a way that they are never again lost. The highest teaching known as Chag Chen or Dzogchen, as Mahamudra or Maha Ati, allows us to open to the experience of total non-separation between subject, object and action.

Karma

Karma means cause and effect, not fate. The understanding that each of us is responsible for our own lives makes it possible to consciously generate positive impressions which bring happiness while avoiding the causes of future suffering. Positive states of mind may be effectively strengthened through the methods of the Diamond Way, while negative impressions waiting to mature, can be transformed into wisdom.

Meditation

In Buddhism, meditation means, "effortlessly remaining in what is." This state may be brought about by calming and holding the mind, when compassion and wisdom are realized, or by working with our bodies? energy channels and meditating on light forms of the Buddhas.

The most effective method, if one can do it, is the constant identification with one's own Buddha nature, and the experience of always being in a Pure Land, both of which are taught in the Diamond Way. When the oneness of the seer, what is seen and the act of seeing is unbroken, in and between the times of meditation, the goal, Mahamudra is reached.

Liberation and Enlightenment

In the process of becoming liberated, one first discovers that body, thoughts, and feelings are in a constant state of change and flux. There is therefore no basis for a real existing ego or 'self.' One stops feeling like a target, taking one's suffering personally. When one thinks, "there is suffering" instead of "I suffer," one becomes invulnerable and free.

Enlightenment is the second and ultimate step. Here, the clear light of mind radiates through every experience. Past, present, and future, "here" or "there," all are expressions of mind's timeless richness. In enlightenment, mind naturally expresses fearlessness, joy, and compassion and remains effortless and spontaneous in whatever happens.

Buddhist schools. >>>