I have much more to learn, but today I will share with you the basic truths about Buddhism that I have gleaned from my beginnings. When I visited the International Buddhist Meditation Center, which is around the corner from this church on New Hampshire, I had just begun my readings about Buddhism. I sat down to talk with Rev. Kusala, a Buddhist monk at the center who some of you may remember from the talks he has given here. The point of Buddhism is the end of suffering. As Rev. Kusala explained to me, a person who is content with her or his life may have no use for Buddhism.
Buddhist practice is a labor-intensive process that is like a medicine from a doctor.
It is for relief from suffering. The Buddha told his followers that he had seen and understood an entire cosmology during his Awakening, but that was not the most important thing for him to teach. He taught how a person can attain Awakening and freedom from suffering. That is the most important teaching. Once they reach Awakening, they will learn the rest for themselves.