Buddhism is not just a philosophy, nor just a religion. Beyond what cultural tradition makes of it, we can see that it is about an introspective art of living; it is about the effort to stop unwholesome thinking, speaking and acting; it is about the effort to cultivate wholesome; about purifying one own's mind. The suffering in the world doesn't come somewhere from the outside, it is an experience of heart and mind. Craving for pleasure, craving to become something, hatred and ignorance are considered to be roots of this suffering. Buddha taught that oneself can not control the world. He also taught there is no superior god who can judge or save one. Only oneself can develop his mind in order to increase love and compassion for himself and the world around him. The 'Wheel of Dhamma' has three parts that should be developed together, step by step, in order to be from fear, stress, worry, hatred, guilt, greed, doubt, restlessness, recklessness, delusion, possesion and all kinds of mental and physical disease.

The first part is virtue. Buddhists train themselves to refrain from harming other beings, taking what is not given, false speech, etc. They're no commandments, but precepts to undertake voluntarily. By restraining thoughts, words and deeds, it will be easier to be content with a simple happy life, which makes the next two parts of the 'Wheel of Dhamma' become much more easier.

The second part is wisdom. Insight into true nature of life. That all life is impermanent. Everything that is born will get old and pass away, including the few moments we experience satisfaction from sense pleasure. Running after sense pleasure and comfort is not the highest goal of our life. So why holding on to it and feel difficulties when pleasure and comfort pass away? Why feel disappointment when certain expectations are not fulfilled? Another insight question is: is the something that I call "I" or "me" permanent? Or is it just my mind that makes it "me"? These are major questions to investigate. With the right intention of retreating oneself now and then, one might develop proper understanding, a mind free from craving and suffering.

The third part is meditation practice. Usually Buddhists start with concentration meditation. For instance by focussing on the breathing process during sitting meditation, or focussing on the movements of footsteps during walking meditation, or focussing on the radiation of loving kindness, which is a wholesome and easy way to gain concentration, peace and joy. After one slowed down himself, the methods of vipassana (or insight) meditation become useful. It means letting be, observing clearly and letting go. Observing processes in ones body, observing whether there is like or dislike, observing ones thoughts, and rediscover universal truths which the Buddha rediscovered 2600 years ago.

Buddhism is something practical. It doesn't debate about things that we can not understand, like "how the world came into existence". It just concentrates on that which we can understand: our own body and mind, the true characteristics of human life. Buddha didn't ask to believe anything he said, but to see it for yourself. He showed a path that sooner or later will bring freedom.

May greed, cruelty and ignorance decrease in the world. May selfless sharing, love and understanding increase. May everyone support each other to be happy, wise and compassionate.

Upcoming: We have invited Ven. Seelagawesi Thero from Sri Lanka to spend his three months Rains Retreat (14 July to 11 October 2011) in Vipassana Meditation Center Groningen. You are welcome to participate!

May all living beings be happy in their hearts.