The Foundations of Buddhism: Understanding Suffering and Craving

In this episode of the Curious Mind Podcast, psychotherapist and Buddhism scholar Gabriel Ellis delves into the historical aspects of Buddhism, focusing on what likely traces back to the historical Buddha. The discussion revolves around the Four Noble Truths, a core Buddhist concept, and their implications. Gabriel explains that suffering, the first truth, is rooted in the five dimensions of identification: form, feelings, perceptions, intentions, and consciousness. The second truth identifies the cause of suffering as craving, specifically for pleasure, self-continuity, and self-discontinuity. The third truth states that the end of suffering comes from the cessation of craving. The fourth truth outlines the path to end suffering, featuring eight factors like Right View and Right Meditation. Gabriel highlights how the Buddha's teachings challenge common perceptions of existence, emphasizing conditioned emergence and the concept of not-self, which leads to disillusionment and detachment as steps toward liberation. This episode sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the Eightfold Path in subsequent episodes.

My paper on ayatana: https://www.academia.edu/45655783/Āyatana_the_Buddhas_forgotten_teaching

My dissertation: https://www.academia.edu/63732680/Early_Buddhism_and_its_Relation_to_Brahmanism_A_Comparative_and_Doctrinal_Investigation

Free 30-minute preliminary consultation: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30min

Youtube: https://youtu.be/nGccmZvZXJc

Homepage: https://www.gabriel-ellis.com