Ran across the following while I was busy studying. It is, in my view a fair representation and summary of Buddhism's core values. You can consider it a quick reference or a reminder sheet. Especially if you're new to Buddhism.
I am running a partial repost of the article here, with full attribution and a hot link back to the original document.
THE BUDDHIST CORE VALUES
AND PERSPECTIVES FOR PROTECTION CHALLENGES:
FAITH AND PROTECTION
I. THE BACKGROUND OF BUDDHIS
Buddhism, like most of the great religions of the world, is divided into a number of different
traditions. However, most traditions share a common set of fundamental beliefs.
One central belief of Buddhism is often referred to as reincarnation -- the concept that people are
reborn after dying. In fact, most individuals go through many cycles of birth, living, death and
rebirth. A practicing Buddhist differentiates between the concepts of rebirth and reincarnation.
In reincarnation, the individual may recur repeatedly. In rebirth, a person does not necessarily return
to Earth as the same entity ever again. He compares it to a leaf growing on a tree. When the
withering leaf falls off, a new leaf will eventually replace it. It is similar to the old leaf, but it is not
identical to the original leaf.
Buddhism is a philosophy of life expounded by Gautama Buddha ("Buddha" means "enlightened
one"), who lived and taught in northern India in the 6th century B.C. The Buddha was not a god and
the philosophy of Buddhism does not entail any theistic world view. The teachings of the Buddha
are aimed solely at liberating sentient beings from suffering.
The Basic Teachings of Buddha which are core to Buddhism are:
• The Three Universal Truths;
• The Four Noble Truths; and
• The Noble Eightfold Path.
II. THE THREE UNIVERSAL TRUTHS
1. Nothing is lost in the universe
2. Everything Changes
3. The Law of Cause and Effect
In Buddhism, the law of karma, says "for every event that occurs, there will follow another event
whose existence was caused by the first, and this second event will be pleasant or unpleasant
according as its cause was skillful or unskillful." Therefore, the law of Karma teaches that the
responsibility for unskillful actions is borne by the person who commits them.
After his enlightenment, the Buddha went to the Deer Park near the holy city of Benares and shared
his new understanding with five holy men. They understood immediately and became his disciples.
This marked the beginning of the Buddhist community. For the next forty-five years, the Buddha
and his disciples went from place to place in India spreading the Dharma, his teachings. Their
compassion knew no bounds; they helped everyone along the way, beggars, kings and slave girls.
At night, they would sleep where they were; when hungry they would ask for a little food.
Wherever the Buddha went, he won the hearts of the people because he dealt with their true
feelings. He advised them not to accept his words on blind faith, but to decide for themselves
whether his teachings are right or wrong, then follow them. He encouraged everyone to have
compassion for each other and develop their own virtue: "You should do your own work, for I can
teach only the way."
Once, the Buddha and his disciple Ananda visited a monastery where a monk was suffering from a
contagious disease. The poor man lay in a mess with no one looking after him. The Buddha himself
washed the sick monk and placed him on a new bed. Afterwards, he admonished the other monks:
"Monks, you have neither mother nor father to look after you. If you do not look after each other,
who will look after you? Whoever serves the sick and suffering, serves me."
After many such cycles, if a person releases their attachment to desire and the self, they can attain
Nirvana. This is a state of liberation and freedom from suffering.
The three trainings or practices
These three consist of:
1. Sila: Virtue, good conduct, morality. This is based on two fundamental principles: The
principle of equality: that all living entities are equal. The principle of reciprocity: This is
the "Golden Rule" in Christianity - to do unto others as you would wish them to do unto
you. It is found in all major religions.
2. Samadhi: Concentration, meditation, mental development. Developing one's mind is the
path to wisdom which, in turn, leads to personal freedom. Mental development also
strengthens and controls our mind; this helps us maintain good conduct.
3. Prajna: Discernment, insight, wisdom, enlightenment. This is the real heart of Buddhism.
Wisdom will emerge if your mind is pure and calm.
The first two paths listed in the Eightfold Path, described below, refer to discernment; the last three
belong to concentration; the middle three are related to virtue.
III. THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS
The Buddha's Four Noble Truths explore human suffering. They may be described (somewhat
simplistically) as:
1. Dukkha: Suffering exists: Life is suffering. Suffering is real and almost universal. Suffering
has many causes: loss, sickness, pain, failure, and the impermanence of pleasure.
2. Samudaya: There is a cause of suffering. Suffering is due to attachment. It is the desire to
have and control things. It can take many forms: craving of sensual pleasures; the desire for
fame; the desire to avoid unpleasant sensations, like fear, anger or jealousy.
3. Nirodha: There is an end to suffering. Attachment can be overcome. Suffering ceases with
the final liberation of Nirvana (Nibbana). The mind experiences complete freedom,
liberation and non attachment. It lets go of any desire or craving.
4. Magga: In order to end
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