How Do We Start Learning About Buddhism? – Dialectic Two Step
Dialectic Two-Step is an ongoing series of my thoughts on questions that come my way.
Wisdom lies neither in fixity nor in change, but in the dialectic between the two. - Octavio
How Do We Start Learning About Buddhism?
Learning about Buddhism all starts with a problem. If there is no problem to solve, then there is no need to look for a solution. We start learning by noticing our dissatisfaction with life. This can range from frustration with other people, to a sense that life is unfair, all the way to reckoning with our mortality.
People tend to come to religion in a few ways. The most benign include habit – it’s what they and their family have always done. The more radical conversions arise out of a significant life crisis. The latter tend to produce strongly held religious convictions.
If you are fortunate to be exposed to Buddhism while you’re wrestling with these existential questions, then you may be inclined to hear out the message and method the Buddha offered to deal with them. If you discover an efficacious way to resolve your problems, you become motivated to learn more. The same story likely applies to conversions to other religions .
The Buddha made some very clear and insightful observations about the sources of our dissatisfaction. He also helped delineate between suffering that we can address and suffering that we have no control over. Knowing what’s out of our control can be a relief. We can give up worrying about those things. Knowing that you can address others gives you hope that you can reduce your suffering.
In the latter category, the Buddha observed that the causes and solutions can be found within. Once we’ve internalized this message we become enthusiastically engaged with examining our personal habits, convictions, and relationships. We adjust where we can, and we let go where we can’t.
Once you’ve crossed the threshold of this basic understanding of right view, you can be well on your way to learning about Buddhism.
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