Nelda asked:

What is the most important thing about the Philosophy of Buddha and from where did he generate all
his ideas? What are the major differences between this philosophy and the ones of the Ancient
Greeks and Africans? which one fits better to these times? why?

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1. What is the most important thing about the Philosophy of Buddha?

The division of Buddhism into schools and sects means that there is not a single point of view. The
common foundation of most of the Buddhist trends is that they consider salvation to be the goal of life
and that ethical and spiritual experiences are the means of attaining that goal.

However the most important thing of what we call the philosophy of Gautama Siddhartha (562-482
BC), the Buddha (the enlightened one), could be the emphasis given to the reality of suffering. In his
first discourse in Benares, the Buddha developed his discovery of The Four Noble Truths, which
could be summarized as follows:

1. Life means suffering

2. The origin of suffering is attachment, desire

3. The elimination of attachment eliminates suffering

4. The way to follow is The Noble Eightfold Path

The Noble Eightfold Path consists of:

1. Right View

2. Right Will

3. Right Speech

4. Right Action

5 Right Livelihood

6. Right Aspiration

7. Right Mindfulness

8. Right Concentration

I would repeat that Buddhism put emphasis on the practical aspects because it is believed that only
through practice and annihilation of the self one could reach a higher level of existence and finally
attain Nirvana (the state of liberation from the limitations of existence and from rebirth).

2. From where did he generate all his ideas?

The tradition teaches that the Buddha, after six useless years of study and research, gave up the
practice of asceticism. Then he tried a last meditation under a tree. Thus he finally found the path to
the enlightenment.

Buddhism strove to replace Brahmanism, the tradition of early society in ancient India. Buddhism rose
against the sacrifices of cattle and against the faith in the god Brahma, declaring him non-existent.
The Buddha was a great reformer. He ceased to recognize the authority of the sacred texts of India
(Vedas, Brahmanas, Upanishads). He wanted his own doctrine to be completely independent from
Brahmanism. So one may conclude that the Buddha generated his ideas from his opposition to
Brahmanism.

3. What are the major difference between this philosophy and the ones of Ancient Greeks and
Africans? Which one fits better to these times? Why?

Which schools of Greek philosophy are you referring to? Concerning Buddhism, some Greek schools
of philosophy had more and wider differences with it than others. Regarding African philosophy I am
even more perplexed. Are you referring to the religion and philosophy of Ancient Egypt? Are you
referring to the traditions of African peoples south of Sahara? Are you referring to all African
philosophies and traditions of ancient times?

Jean Nakos