Upon completing the path that led him to fully develop compassion and wisdom, Shakyamuni arrived at enlightenment, the state of Buddhahood that marks the end of suffering. Replying to the requests made of him, he transmitted three cycles of teachings to explain the path he had taken and the methods he used. Traditionally, Buddhism counts 84,000 teachings, and the four seals of the Dharma contain the essence of all these. Like a royal seal that historically proved authenticity and authority,...
How do Buddha’s teachings answer the most profound questions of our existence? What makes his thinking unique amongst other systems of thought? The answer lies in his teachings on “dependent origination,” which hold the key to unlocking his doctrines of karma, rebirth, suffering, liberation, and compassion. Patterns in Emptiness shows how understanding this core Buddhist teaching of “dependent origination” can transform how we see the world and provide an antidote to the disordered thinking...
