Buddhists follow the teachings of the Buddha, who believed that the quest for enlightenment and freedom from re-birth is the purpose of life. Buddhism shares many concepts with Hinduism. One difference is a much greater emphasis on reincarnation. Buddhists believe that people are endlessly reincarnated until they reach a level of enlightenment that permits them to be freed from the cycles of re-birth (nirvana).

Central to Buddhist teachings are the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path to enlightenment, leading to nirvana. The Four Noble Truths are:

1. All things are in a state of suffering.
   
2. This suffering is caused by desires and love of material possessions.
   
3. Escape from these desires is a prerequisite for inner peace.
   
4. The way to escape from these desires is by following the Nobel Eightfold Path.

The Noble Eightfold Path is as follows:

1. Right understanding: understanding the Four Noble Truths.
   
2. Right intention: one must renounce worldly life and enter a homeless state.
   
3. Right speech: one must consider others and abstain from lies, slander, abuse and gossip.
   
4. Right conduct: one must abstain from killing, stealing, lying, committing adultery and using intoxicants.
   
5. Right occupation: one must never accept a means of livelihood that could be considered questionable.
   
6. Right endeavor: one must strive after all that is good, and avoid that which is evil.
   
7. Right contemplation: one must learn to control the mind in meditation so that emotion is not allowed to disturb inner peace.
   
8. Right concentration: it is claimed that one can reach a stage where the mind is completely subject to one's will. This allows the mind to develop to stages beyond reasoning and to nirvana.

The five precepts are the Buddhist ethical code:

1. Abstain from harming living beings.
   
2. Abstain from taking things not freely given.
   
3. Abstain from sexual misconduct.
   
4. Abstain from false speech.
   
5. Abstain from intoxicating drinks and drugs causing heedlessness.

Additionally there are a further five precepts for those following a monastic life, although there are many more in the Vinaya (Buddhist monastical rule book):

6. Abstain from taking untimely meals.
   
7. Abstain from dancing, music, singing and watching grotesque mime.
   
8. Abstain from the use of garlands, perfumes and personal adornment.
   
9. Abstain from the use of high seats.
   
10. Abstain from accepting gold or silver.

There are positive aspects to Buddhism. This religion identifies the problem with the human condition (a state of suffering) and identifies one reason for this suffering (high levels of wealth). It combats this cause of suffering by creating a way of life which does not involve owning possessions or having wealth. In my opinion, Buddhist monks have reduced suffering because:

• Few people are interested in making use of them, because they have little material wealth.

• They generally do not get married, and lack the restrictions of marriage.

• They generally have little or nothing to worry about.

• A possible lack of entertainment and pleasure, perhaps leading to boredom.

• Freedom restricted by rules.

• In my opinion, Buddhism is not very enlightening (despite the claims to the contrary) because it leaves many questions unanswered.

• An impractical belief system. For example, ants outnumber humans by millions to one, and these life forms are unlikely ever to be reborn as humans so that they could achieve nirvana. According to Buddhism, most life forms are locked in an eternity of cycles of life and death. Another example of an impractical belief is that a statement such as 'I have toothache' is meaningless according to Buddhist theology because 'I', 'have' and 'toothache' are not counted in the ultimate facts of existence.