Introduction

Matters of central importance, human nature and destiny, reality, the natural world and ultimate questions (Big Idea 6; NE 1 and 6)

This section looks at the Buddhist worldview(s) in a narrower sense of the word, referring to the ideas or fundamental teachings on the meaning and purpose of life in a cognitive or intellectual sense as systematised by scholars within and outside the tradition – views about human nature and destiny, reality, the natural world and ultimate questions. However, as a rich and varied tradition, there is no set creed or list of beliefs to which all Buddhists subscribe or centralised authority to enforce them.

What is really of central importance?

Given the diversity of Buddhism, different Buddhists might have different views about what is a matter of central importance in Buddhism, and many might prioritise ethical behaviour, meditation or ritual practice, personal experience or even political action over the ideas discussed in this section. But all would be focused in one way or another on what it is to be human.