"The Essence of Buddhism" by Paul Harris

Some people are attracted to the Buddha's teaching because of its exotic eastern cultural heritage. At the House of Inner Tranquillity, we choose not use wind-chimes or prayer flags and neither do we chant or sit cross-legged. One student was disappointed about that and suggested that we "hadn't quite caught the essence of Buddhism." 

This talk considers the Buddha's most fundamental teaching, the Four Noble Truths. Suffering, its origin and cessation constitute the basic premise on which the entire teaching rests. The sole aim of its practice is to provide the means for direct realisation of enlightenment and this is the true essence of Buddhism.

Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity.   

This talk was given in February 2006 when Paul was still a monk in training.