Buddhism

Most of us have spent a few minutes hunting for reading glasses that were on our heads the whole time. Nothing about the situation needs to change in that moment. You don’t need new glasses, or forgiveness for losing them. You need to notice something that was already true. Two old traditions, one from India and one from the Mediterranean, built whole religions on a version of that moment. Buddhism calls the problem avidya. The Gnostic Christians called it agnoia. Both words mean not-knowing, and both traditions put it at the bottom of everything that goes wrong in a human life. ...

Introduction Buddhism is among the world’s oldest religions, spanning over two millennia with followers across Asia and globally. Originating in the 6th to 5th century BCE in Nepal and India, it was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha or “the awakened one.” The faith represents a rich amalgamation of philosophical teachings and spiritual practices that have evolved into diverse traditions. The Four Noble Truths The foundation of Buddhist philosophy rests on the Four Noble Truths, which diagnose the human condition and prescribe remedies akin to medical treatment: ...