Buddhism takes many shapes and forms. While there is a body of teaching handed down from the Buddha, in practice Buddhism is often a mix of worldviews and religious practices. Buddhism’s ability to adapt to indigenous traditions and religions is a key reason for its dominant influence in Asia.

The Buddha proclaimed that he had gained the self knowledge necessary to break free from his karma and the endless cycles of rebirth. He said that he cannot save others, but can point the way for followers to save themselves. He explained man’s condition with the Four Noble Truths and gave the Eight-Fold Path as a way of release from that condition into a state of nirvana.

The Four Noble Truths

(The condition, cause and cure of universal suffering):

1. All is suffering.

2. The cause of suffering is desire.

3. The solution is to extinguish all desire.

4. The method to do so is through the Eight-fold Path.

The Eight-Fold Path

According to the Buddha, the only way to escape the suffering caused by our desire is through our self-effort until we are “Enlightened.” We have to “earn” our freedom by following the eight-fold path (the “Way”) to eliminate our desires, and thus our sufferings. The “Way” can be seen as: understanding the problem; ethical conduct; and the rigorous effort needed to overcome the problem. The eight steps on the way to Enlightenment are:

Wisdom: Understanding the problem
1. Right knowledge or understanding

2. Right attitude, purpose and thought

Ethical Conduct: Morality
3. Right speech

4. Right conduct

5. Right way of living, occupation

Mental Discipline: Rigorous Effort
6. Right effort

7. Right awareness

8. Right composure/meditation

Other points

• Buddhists generally believe that there are many paths to one God.
• Buddhism denies that we have a soul or personality, so a personal understanding of God is an alien idea.
• Buddhists in East Asia will largely follow a mixture of one or more dominant Buddhist traditions, animism and ancestor worship.
• Jesus is understood to be a spiritual master similar to Buddha.
• Most Buddhists have either not heard the gospel or have not understood it.