What did Buddha teach ?

Buddha’s teachings enable us to experience lasting happiness. By using suitable meditations, our theoretical knowledge turns into direct experience; additional methods secure attained levels of consciousness. The goal of Buddha’s teachings is the full development of body, speech and mind. The teachings of Buddhism have remained a liberating gift to mankind for the last 2,500 years. Non-dogmatic and without any gods or commandments, they have enabled people to benefit both others and themselves. Especially today, with the many independent thinkers and new communication techniques, it has become possible to collect, organize and distribute Buddhist teachings, old as new, in attractive and fresh ways.

The goals of Buddhism – Liberation and Enlightenment

Liberation means the awareness of body, thoughts, and feelings being in a constant state of change. Therefore, there is no basis for a real existing ego or “self.” Realizing this, one no longer feels like a target and stops taking suffering personally. Enlightenment is the second and ultimate step. Here, the clear light of mind radiates through every experience. One realizes that seer, what is seen and the act of seeing are interdependent parts of the same totality. In every moment, mind enjoys its self-arisen abilities and everything becomes spontaneous and effortless.

Karma — Cause and Effect

Karma means cause and effect. It does not mean fate. The understanding that each of us is responsible for our own lives makes it possible to generate positive impressions consciously. This brings happiness and helps us to avoid the causes of future suffering. Positive states of mind may be strengthened effectively through the methods of Diamond Way Buddhism, while negative impressions waiting to mature can be transformed into wisdom.

Differences between the levels of Buddha’s teachings

Buddha gave instructions for three different types of people. Those who wanted to avoid suffering received the instructions about cause and effect (the Small Way, or “Hinayana” in Sanskrit). Those who wanted to do more for others were given the teachings on wisdom and compassion called the Great Way (in Sanskrit, “Mahayana”). Where people had strong confidence in their own and others’ Buddha nature, Buddha taught the Diamond Way (in Sanskrit, “Vajrayana”). Here, he manifested as forms of energy and light or directly transmitted his enlightened view as a flow of awareness. On this highest level, the aim is the complete development of mind, the spontaneous effortlessness of the Great Seal (in Sanskrit, “Mahamudra”).

What is “Diamond Way” Buddhism?

The Diamond Way offers the modern world “effective methods that lead to a direct experience of mind,” as explained by the late Lopon Tsechu Rinpoche, one of the most experienced teachers of Tibetan Buddhism. One learns to experience the world from a rich and self-liberating viewpoint. Diamond Way meditations develop a deep inner richness and lead to a non-artificial and unwavering mind where every enlightened activity can unfold.

The term ‘Diamond Way’ is the direct translation of the Sanskrit word ‘Vajrayana’, the Tibetan equivalent is ‘Dorje Tegpa’. There are several reasons why the diamond was chosen as a symbol for this approach. First, the diamond is the most perfect and precious stone, indicating that these are the highest teachings given by the Buddha. Furthermore, it is the hardest stone and has a natural radiance. The diamond thus also refers to the inherent qualities of our mind: it is indestructible – as it was never born – and naturally radiant – as it possesses the ability to bring about and experience all phenomena. The basic confidence that this indestructible radiant clarity is our true essence (called “Buddha nature”) is the foundation of Diamond Way Buddhist practice. Through meditation and integrating the Buddhist view into our daily activities we can develop mind’s inherent power and clarity. The Diamond Way helps us discover and develop our inner richness for the benefit of all beings.