What is Buddhism?

Buddhism is the practise of Buddha’s teachings, also know as Dharma, and is a way of finding peace within oneself. Buddha taught that all happiness and suffering depend upon the mind and that by learning to develop a peaceful mind and a good heart we will be able to solve our own inner problems of anxiety, depression and other negative emotions, and find a deep sense of happiness and freedom from within. By learning Buddha’s teachings and most importantly applying them in our daily life we can make our life immensely meaningful – using it to fulfil our full potential and progress to the state of a fully enlightened being – transforming our life from a state of suffering and frustration into a state of pure and everlasting happiness.

The teachings of Buddha reveal a step by step path to lasting happiness. By following this path, anyone can gradually transform his or her mind from its present confused and self-centered state into the blissful mind of a Buddha.

Buddha’s teachings are scientific methods to solve the problems of all living being permanently

Ven Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

Who Is Buddha?

In general, ‘Buddha’ means ‘Awakened One’, someone who has awakened from the sleep of ignorance and sees things as they really are. A Buddha is a person who is completely free from all faults and mental obstructions. There are many people who have become Buddhas in the past, and many people will become Buddhas in the future.

The founder of Buddhism in this world is know as Buddha Shakyamuni. Born in India (550BC) as a prince called Siddhartha he found suffering unacceptable, so left his palace to bring an end to it. He discovered that the root of suffering lies within the mind, specifically within a mistaken understanding of reality, and he found a way to cut this root of ignorance with compassion and the wisdom realizing the illusory nature of things. He was then requested to teach, and gave 84,000 teachings to a very wide audience over a 40-year ministry. His teachings are known as Dharma (literally, “that which holds us back from suffering”) and form the basis of Buddhism today.

Practicing Dharma is the supreme method for improving the quality of our human life. The quality of life depends not upon external development or material progress, but upon the inner development of peace and happiness.

Ven Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

Modern Kadampa Buddhism

There are many different forms of Buddhism in the world today, which are all very precious. The teachings at Vajrapani Kadampa Meditation Centre are within the Kadampa Tradition and in particular the New Kadampa Tradition as presented by Ven Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. This is a special presentation of Buddhism, based on the ancient teachings, that is designed especially for the people of this modern world. Modern Kadampa Buddhism preserves the meaning and intention of Buddha’s original teachings while presenting them in a clear and systematic way that anyone of any nationality, age or gender can easily understand and put into practice.

By applying their knowledge of all Buddha’s teachings into their meditation practise, and by integrating this into their everyday lives, Kadampa Buddhists are encouraged to use Buddha’s teachings as practical methods for transforming daily activities into the path to enlightenment.

To follow the path to Enlightenment there is no need to change our external lifestyle .. all we need to do is change the object of our cherishing.

Ven Geshe Kelsang Gyatso