No-Nonsense Buddhism for Beginners: Clear Answers to Burning Questions About Core Buddhist Teachings

by Noah Rasheta

Material things can be nice to have for a time, but the happiness and fulfillment we seek is not found in external sources.

The problem with hatred isn’t whether it’s morally right or wrong. Clinging to hatred is simply an unwise action because it creates unnecessary suffering for ourselves and others.

things are because of, and in relation to, other things, but things do not exist by themselves as permanent or separate entities.

When someone attacks a belief or opinion we hold, we can see that they’re attacking the idea, not us directly. When we’re nonattached to our ideas, they no longer own us—we own them.

This is emptiness. It’s the understanding that as life unfolds, it doesn’t mean anything. It is neither positive nor negative. All things simply are as they are.

it’s not that we’re accepting the bad things that happen; we’re just accepting that bad things happen.

Suffering emerges when we want life to be different—when we struggle against what is.

Eventually we come to understand that letting go of pain is no sacrifice at all.