What is Buddhism?

This will depend on our understanding. For some, it is a religion, and for others, it’s a philosophy. For some it is a science, and for others, rebellion. For some, it is the teachings of the Buddha, while for others, it is a superior understanding. For some, it is the means to realising our true nature, and for others it is being with the good guys. It can be all of these, or something else: it could even be a way to understand what Jesus meant by ‘God’!

Buddhism is a system for anyone at any stage of evolution to realise what true reality is – pure awareness, our pure nature of being. ‘Pure’ is empty of self-evaluations, and without pure awareness, none of the above would be known!

At the bottom of the mountain, there is much to say. As we ascend in realisation, there is less and less to say. There are times when we cannot see the top as there are many overhangs, but our motivation keeps us true on our path.

All systems take a different route, some being direct, and some more indirect: much depends on what we feel comfortable and safe with. Until we reach the top, all systems have a partial view – ‘partial’ because we stick to a system of words and phrases and does and don’t, and rely on an element of belief. In addition, because we do not see that others are climbing their path their way and will review their method at some point, we have no need to criticise (even though they may seem to be descending). In criticism, we are in fact descending: criticism is different from discernment, which is learning from others’ mistakes. We can only benefit them by climbing well ourselves.

At the top, the view is limitless. Anyone can see ‘all views’ at once.

Buddhism is realising Ground, Path, Fruition.

The ground is our true nature.
The path is our confusion about that true nature.
The fruition is realising
that there was never any confusion,
that the path never existed
and that we were the ground all the while.

There never was any confusion, path or mountain.