Buddhism is a spiritual tradition that was founded over 2500 years ago by Shakyamuni Buddha. There are many different versions of the Buddha’s life, but they all tell of Prince Siddhartha, as he was then known, being profoundly moved by the suffering and apparent futility of life that he saw around him. He resolved to understand what caused suffering, how to free himself and others from it and so discover life’s true meaning.

Mindfulness meditation is a way of paying attention to, and seeing clearly whatever is happening in our lives. It helps to reduce stress as well as to develop more focus and mental clarity. It has a beneficial effect on our working practices and relationships. If you would like to find out more, please get in touch by email:info@yorkshire.samye.org

Through concentrated meditation, he worked at overcoming many obstacles, both in the outer world and in his own mind. Eventually he experienced a deep and lasting realisation of the true nature of the mind and understood what causes unhappiness and suffering. This lasting awareness of ultimate truth is called ‘enlightenment’. It was at this point that he became known as the Buddha, which means the ‘Fully Awakened One’, because he had woken up to the true nature of existence.

Following his enlightenment, the Buddha then spent 45 years teaching others how they too could attain freedom from suffering and experience lasting peace and happiness. Rooted in principles of non-violence and loving-kindness, his instruction set many people on the path to their own liberation.