Clear Mountain Zen Center
What is Zen?

"Buddhism has the characteristics of what would be expected in a cosmic religion for the future: it transcends a personal God, avoids dogmas and theology; it covers both the natural & spiritual, and it is based on a religious sense aspiring from the experience of all things, natural and spiritual, as a meaningful unity." .... A widely cited quotation attributed to Albert Einstein
Core Buddhist Beliefs:

Refuge in the Three Jewels

• The Buddha. This is a title for those who attained Awakening similar to the Buddha and helped others to attain it.

• The Dharma: The teachings or law as expounded by the Buddha. Dharma also means the law of nature based on behavior of a person and its consequences to be experienced (action and reaction).

• The Sangha: This term means "group" or "congregation," but when used in Buddhist teachings it refers to either a community of Buddhist practitioners or a community of people who have attained at least the first stage of enlightenment.

The Eightfold Path:

bullet Discernment, wisdom:
1) Right Understanding of the Four Noble Truths
2) Right thinking; following the right path in life
bullet Virtue, morality:
3) Right speech: no lying, criticism, condemning, gossip, harsh language
4) Right conduct by following the Five Precepts
5) Right livelihood; support yourself without harming others
bullet Concentration, meditation:
6) Right Effort: promote good thoughts; conquer evil thoughts
7) Right Mindfulness: Become aware of your body, mind and feelings
8) Right Concentration: Meditate to achieve a higher state of consciousness

The Four Noble Truths:

The Buddha's Four Noble Truths explore human suffering.

• Suffering exists: (Suffering is real and and universal. It has many causes: loss, sickness, pain, failure, the impermanence of pleasure.)

• There is a cause for suffering. (It is the desire to have and control things. It can take many forms: craving of sensual pleasures; the desire for fame; the desire to avoid unpleasant sensations, like fear, anger or jealousy.)

• There is an end to suffering. (Suffering ceases with the final liberation of Nirvana (a.k.a. Nibbana). The mind experiences complete freedom, liberation and non-attachment. It lets go of any desire or craving.)

• In order to end suffering, you must follow the Eightfold Path.

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