Life in the Buddhist Philosophy Perspective

Abstract

The core teachings of Buddhism are considered the heart of the cessation of human suffering. It holds that all living beings, including humans, are born with three natural characteristics known as the Three Characteristics of Existence: dukkha (suffering), anicca (impermanence), and anatta (non-self). To escape suffering, humans must act in ways that purport to extinguish suffering in accordance with the Four Noble Truths. The teachings of the Four Noble Truths can be described in detail as a cycle of dependent origination, explaining the cause of suffering and its cessation through both samutyavara (the chain of birth) and nirodhvara (the chain of cessation). The goal of life is to escape suffering. Although life exists in a cycle of suffering, Buddhist philosophy points to the path to liberation from all suffering: nirvana, the state of the cessation of defilements, craving, and ignorance, through the practice of the Noble Eightfold Path. Attaining nirvana is, therefore, the ultimate goal of life in Buddhist philosophy.