Weekend Stories
I enjoy going exploring on weekends (mostly). Here is a collection of stories and photos I gather along the way. All posts are CC BY-NC-SA licensed unless otherwise stated. Feel free to share, remix, and adapt the content as long as you give appropriate credit and distribute your contributions under the same license.
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Nirvana: The cessation of suffering in Buddhist thought
Nirvana occupies a central position in Buddhist philosophy as the ultimate goal of the spiritual path. Often translated as ‘extinction’, ‘cessation’, or ‘liberation’, Nirvana signifies the end of suffering, ignorance, and the cycle of rebirth known as samsāra. Rather than being a state of bliss in the conventional sense, Nirvana is characterized by the complete extinguishing of the fires that sustain cyclic existence: craving (tanha), clinging (upādāna), and delusion (moha). However, the conceptualization of Nirvana within Buddhism is intentionally elusive, resisting precise definitions and instead inviting reflection through negation, contrast, and experiential insight. In this post, we explore the multifaceted nature of Nirvana, its historical development, and its implications for Buddhist practice.
The Noble Eightfold Path: The Buddhist path to liberation
The Noble Eightfold Path (Ariyo Aṭṭhaṅgiko Maggo) constitutes a central framework in Buddhist thought, outlining a methodology for ethical and mental cultivation aimed at the cessation of suffering (dukkha) and the realization of enlightenment (nibbāna). It synthesizes core aspects of Buddhist doctrine into a structured approach that integrates cognitive insight, moral behavior, and mental training. Rather than prescribing rigid rules, the Eightfold Path offers a flexible, context-sensitive model applicable across diverse cultural and historical settings.
Dependent Origination: The interdependent nature of existence
The doctrine of Dependent Origination (Paṭicca-samuppāda in Pāli, Pratītya-samutpāda in Sanskrit) is one of the central tenets of Buddhist philosophy. It provides an explanation for the arising and cessation of suffering by illustrating the interconnected and conditional nature of all phenomena. This teaching negates the notion of a permanent, independent self and instead presents reality as a web of interdependent causes and conditions. The understanding of Dependent Origination is crucial to Buddhist thought and practice, as it directly relates to the cessation of suffering and the attainment of liberation (nirvāṇa).
The Three Poisons: The roots of suffering in Buddhist thought
Buddhist philosophy offers a systematic framework for analyzing the origins of suffering, attributing its persistence to three fundamental mental afflictions commonly referred to as the Three Poisons (akusala-mūla in Sanskrit and Pāli). These defilements — greed (lobha), hatred (dosa), and delusion (moha) — are understood within the tradition as the core drivers of suffering (dukkha) and the dynamic forces that sustain the cycle of rebirth (samsāra). Rather than being regarded as metaphysical absolutes, the Three Poisons function as psychological and ethical categories used to explain recurring patterns in human thought and behavior. In this post, we examine their characteristics, their role in Buddhist cosmology and soteriology, and the conceptual tools developed to counteract them.
The Five Aggregates: Deconstructing the illusion of self in Buddhist thought
The concept of the Five Aggregates (pañcakkhandha in Pāli, pañcaskandha in Sanskrit, with khandha and skandha both meaning ‘aggregate’ or ‘heap’) lies at the heart of Buddhist psychology and metaphysics. It serves as Siddhartha Gautama’s response to the age-old question of personal identity: What constitutes the self? Unlike many religious and philosophical traditions that posit a permanent, unchanging essence — often referred to as the soul or ātman in Indian thought — Buddhism presents a radically different view. The doctrine of anattā (Pāli) or anātman (Sanskrit) asserts that there is no fixed, independent self. Instead, what we conventionally call a ‘person’ is merely a dynamic interplay of five psychophysical aggregates. In this post, we explore the Five Aggregates in detail, their role in sustaining the illusion of self, and their implications for achieving liberation (nirvāṇa) from suffering (dukkha).
Upādāna: Clinging as the root of suffering in Buddhism
Among the fundamental teachings of Buddhism, upādāna plays a crucial role in explaining why suffering (dukkha) persists. Often translated as ‘clinging’ or ‘grasping’, upādāna represents the intensified attachment that arises from craving (tanhā), binding beings to the cycle of rebirth (samsara). In this post, we explore the meaning of upādāna, its psychological and philosophical implications, and its role in the Buddhist path to liberation.
Tanhā: The root of craving and the cycle of suffering
Among the fundamental insights of Buddhist philosophy, tanhā stands as one of the most pivotal and far-reaching. Commonly translated as ‘craving’ or ‘thirst’, tanhā is identified by Siddhartha Gautama as the primary cause of suffering (dukkha) and the driving force behind saṁsāra, the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. More than just a desire for pleasure, tanhā encapsulates the human tendency to cling to experiences, resist change, and perpetuate patterns of attachment and dissatisfaction. Understanding tanhā, its manifestations, and its role in perpetuating suffering is crucial for anyone seeking liberation within the framework of Buddhist thought. In this post, we take a look at the nature of tanhā, its psychological and existential dimensions, and the path to overcoming this fundamental obstacle to awakening.
Anatta: The illusion of self
The Buddhist doctrine of non-self (anatta) is one of the most radical and fascinating concepts in Buddhist philosophy. It undermines the idea of a permanent, independent self, which is prevalent in many religious and philosophical traditions. In this post, we go beyond what we have already explored in our post on the Three Marks of Existence and deepen our understanding of the anatta doctrine through an in-depth examination of how the Buddhist notion of non-self challenges the idea of a fixed identity — through classical analogies, conceptual analysis, and its connection to the doctrines of emptiness (shunyata) and dependent origination (pratītyasamutpāda).
Understanding Dukkha: Beyond mere suffering
Among the many concepts that shape Buddhist thought, none is more central — or more widely misunderstood — than dukkha. Often translated as ‘suffering’, the term encompasses far more than extreme pain or hardship. In early Buddhist philosophy, dukkha refers to the persistent unease and instability woven into the fabric of all conditioned experience. It is not a passing misfortune, but a structural feature of existence itself — arising wherever impermanence, craving, and delusion remain unexamined. Understanding dukkha, then, is not merely an entry point into Buddhist thought; it is the very key to the problem Buddhism aims to resolve.
The Three Marks of Existence: Understanding the core of Buddhist reality
Buddhism presents a radical and insightful perspective on reality, one that diverges sharply from many philosophical and religious traditions. At the heart of this perspective are the Three Marks of Existence (tilakkhaṇa in Pāli, trilakṣaṇa in Sanskrit) — three fundamental characteristics that define all conditioned phenomena. These marks — non-self (anatta), impermanence (anicca), and suffering (dukkha) — offer a profound analysis of existence, revealing why suffering arises and how it can be transcended. By deeply understanding these principles, it is thought, that Buddhist practitioners can cultivate wisdom (paññā), compassion (karuṇā), and ethical conduct (sīla), which detaches from illusions to progress toward liberation (nirvāṇa).