Buddhism Core Teachings: Suffering, Emptiness, and Enlightenment

Buddha's central teaching that life involves suffering (dukkha) and that there is a path to its cessation (Pali Canon)

'I teach suffering and the end of suffering.'

'When this exists

that comes to be

When this does not exist

that does not come to be.', Explains dependent arising—everything exists because of causes and conditions (Pali Canon)

Buddha declares he has reached enlightenment and will not be reborn again (Buddha in Pali Canon)

'This is my final rebirth.'

Reflects the Three Marks of Existence—impermanence (anicca) (Pali Canon)

'Conditioned/caused things are impermanent'

King Milinda and the Chariot, Analogy showing the self is a collection of parts, not a permanent entity

Nagasena

Repeat of Buddha's core teaching of dukkha and its cessation (Pali Canon)

'I teach suffering and the end of suffering.'

Explains that emptiness arises because all phenomena are interdependent

Nagarjuna taught that sunyata is due to dependent arising

Who likens what to something

Geshe Lhakdor likens sunyata to 0

Buddha Nature……. (A Mahayana Sutra)

Buddha-nature is like honey surrounded by bees

The unrescued I will rescue

The unliberated I will liberate, The uncomforted I will comfort, Those who have not yet reached parinirvana, I will cause to attain parinirvana, Core promises of the Bodhisattva vow to help all sentient beings (Lotus Sutra)

Who is the Pure Land guy(Pure Land chant)

'Amitabha Buddha'

What Shows Pure Land teaching emphasizes universal accessibility to enlightenment (Honen, a Pure Land teacher)

'Even a bad man will be received in Buddha's land.'