Hello, I’m Cheng Qing. Welcome to Relief for Life: Forty Introductions to Buddhism.

Earlier I briefly introducedthe Four Noble Truths:beginning by observing suffering and ultimately walking the path that ends it. We have focused on Buddhist ideas and logic, but many listeners ask what practice actually is and which methods it uses. This episode introduces its principles and basic methods.

Buddhism reached China around the Eastern Han. China already had Daoist traditions ofquietude and nonaction,with similar practices. The Zhuangzi discussesfasting of the mind,、sitting in forgetfulness,andserene composure—methods and experiences of quiet contemplation. They were not systematized or widespread and were often transmitted privately. In modern times Chen Yingning summarized the ideas and methods of fasting the mind.

India, by contrast, valued introspection deeply. From early śramaṇas it developed systematic yoga traditions, which Buddhism used to build its distinctive practice.

When early Buddhist scriptures entered China,doctrineandpractical methodsarrived together. The Parthian prince turned monk An Shigao translated the Yin Chi Ru Jing: yin means five aggregates, chi the eighteen elements, and ru the twelve bases. These terms show it is a basic Buddhist overview.

Its conclusion explains practice for liberation:‘All people have two illnesses: ignorance and craving. The Buddha revealed two medicines: calming and insight. Using them cures the illnesses and enables realization. Craving ceases, the mind is freed; ignorance is resolved, and wisdom brings liberation.’

The roots of affliction are ignorance and craving; the Buddha’s remedies areinner calmingandreflective observation.。Stability and awareness prevent craving and delusion and ultimately bring awakening and liberation.

Thus Buddhist practice can be summarized in two words:calmingandinsight,transliterated asśamathaandvipaśyanā.。