New Age Spiritualism

What makes you not a Buddhist?

This book talks about the perspective on Buddhism, it talks about the far reaching influence of Buddhism and refute the limited, general understanding about the religion. This is not merely about non violence, peace, meditation and maroon robes.
In an attempt to decipher the deep content of this 2500 years old tradition, one has to accept the following four truths.
All compounded things are impermanent
All emotions are pain
All things have no inherent existence
Nirvana is beyond concept
These are also known as ‘four seals’ meaning something like hallmark that confirms authenticity. These four seals encompass the entire Buddhism. In which wisdom is being the primary concern and morals and ethics being the secondary. In order to be a Buddhist one must constantly and endlessly be mindful of the four truths. Buddhism emphasize on wisdom which comes from the right view which determines our motivation and actions. It talks about the unique part of Buddhism that differentiates it from other views.
Human tendency is to be driven to make the future better rather than focusing on the present moment forgetting the ultimate truth that everything is impermanent. Siddhartha found during his contemplation that all things are compounded by two or more things coming together. So it talks about interdependent nature of things. Impermanence denoting the change, and not death. In today’s world we forget the truth and try to gain immortality. Understanding of impermanence leads one to be more compassionate.
All things are assembled and unstable and there are different layers to it and also there is interdependence. Understanding impermanence transforms physical as well as emotional world. It talks about the concepts of sufferings and happiness and it is relative for each person.
The basic understanding that all compounded things are impermanent helps me to understand and deal with the feeling of insecurity in day to day life. This in turn leads to more emotional equilibrium in the emotional state.
All emotions are pain. He talks about unpredictability in various things. This will develop forgiveness, understating towards others fearlessness and mindfulness. Fear of impermanence leads one to constantly seek confirmation. When uncertainty is accepted one becomes fearless and in a way are mentally prepared for the consequences.

It allows me to deal with the habit if clinging or seeking out relationships in order to deal with the feelings of loneliness and insecurity. It helps in the identifying the faulty patterns and deal with them in a better way. Birth and death are cyclical and so is gain and loss. So understanding this cycle saves us from lots of anguish, despair etc. Emotions crop up because of clinging to self and they are not inherent part of one’s being. In order to deal with one needs to bring awareness into it. Emotions are rooted in misunderstanding and elements of judgment are involved in it and so understanding its illusory quality leads to bring compassion. Another beautiful concept discussed was ‘self’. It does not exist independently. It is assembled and susceptible to change. Anything that has a quality of uncertainty and unpredictability is suffering everything that exists is simply emptiness. These are the broad concepts discussed in the book.


It broadens the vision towards multi dimensionality.