Buddhism in Kempsey

What is

Buddhism?

Experiences are preceded by mind, led by mind and produced by mind.
If one speaks or acts with an impure mind suffering follows even as the cartwheel follows the hoof of the ox drawing the cart.

Experiences are preceded by mind, led by mind and produced by mind.
If one speaks or acts with a pure mind happiness follows like a shadow that never departs.

The Dhammapadda

A complex question

So it is best to start by looking at the principle point of spiritual engagment in the Buddhist tradition. This point is actually our own minds; our very human and hard to control minds! When we talk about the 'mind' in Buddhism, we actually mean our mind and our hearts; our wisdom and our compassion. The notion of Mind (also called 'consciousness') in Buddhism is vast, expansive and endless. So it is 'Mind' with a capital M!

A Buddhist appreciates that we are able to transform our lives when we accept that our own mind creates our suffering and our happiness. It is our mind that is the source of our limitations and discontent, as well as being the key to liberation. Our wellbeing (physiological, ethical and spiritual) is not determined by luck, by fate, by change, by other people, by society, by material things. It comes from what with we do with our minds. Our mind is our working ground and as such, we are responsible for our wellbeing and achieving our potential.

An expansive and liberated mind is accessible to every human being through Buddhist training in ethics and meditation. Meditation is the main training method as it works directly on the mind.

Want to be a Buddhist?

So if you want to be a Buddhist you need to take personal responsibility for your state of mind, for your wellbeing, for your contentment. It is all up to you. To step onto the Buddhist path is to engage in a revolution of your own consciousness. What an incredible adventure! Learn more on our course, Introduction to Buddhism starting Saturday 21, till 11 Feb (4 weeks).

What is enlightenment?
Buddhism assumes that our experience of the world, as understood by our minds, is deeply confused. We try hard to make our lives perfect but we never seem to get there.

Enlightenment is when this confusion is lifted, when the mind becomes clear. There is a profound seeing into the true nature of life, into the true nature of reality.

Enlightenment is not just the end of the discomfort and vicissitudes of our human lives (called dukkha), it is also described as bliss, the great liberation, the deathless, and a state beyond life and death.

Enlightenment is wisdom, love and compassion. An enlightened person has a deep, deep empathy with all life, with all living beings. Best of all, the state of enlightenment is achievable by everyone.