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Contents I recommend studying

Knowledge + Reflection + Acceptance + Action = Good Life

Day by day, step by step, keep walking.

DOKKODO

These are the 21 principles by which Miyamoto Musashi lived.

  • Accept everything just the way it is.

  • Do not seek pleasure for its own sake.

  • Do not, under any circumstances, depend on a partial feeling.

  • Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world.

  • Be detached from desire your whole life long.

  • Do not regret what you have done.

  • Never be jealous.

  • Never let yourself be saddened by a separation.

  • Resentment and complaint are appropriate neither for oneself nor others.

  • Do not let yourself be guided by the feeling of love or lust.

  • In all things, have no preferences.

  • Be indifferent to where you live.

  • Do not pursue the taste of good food.

  • Do not hold on to possessions you no longer need.

  • Do not act following customary beliefs.

  • Do not collect weapons or practice with weapons beyond what is useful.

  • Do not fear death.

  • Do not seek to possess either goods or fiefs for your old age.

  • Respect Buddha and the gods without counting on their help.

  • You may abandon your body, but you must preserve your honor.

  • Never stray from the Way.

BUSHIDO

It is the code of conduct that ancient samurai followed.

  • Gi (義) – Rectitude or Justice
    Acting with morality, honesty, and justice, doing what is right even when no one is watching.

  • Yū (勇) – Courage
    Having the courage to make difficult decisions and face adversity with honor and without fear, both in battle and in life.

  • Jin (仁) – Benevolence or Compassion
    Acting with kindness, generosity, and empathy, helping those in need and demonstrating compassion toward others.

  • Rei (礼) – Courtesy or Respect
    Being respectful and polite to others, treating everyone with dignity, regardless of their status or position.

  • Makoto (誠) – Sincerity or Honesty
    Acting with sincerity in both words and actions, being truthful in all situations, and maintaining integrity.

  • Meiyo (名誉) – Honor
    Maintaining your honor and reputation at all costs. Honor is one of the most important virtues in the Bushidō code.

  • Chū (忠) – Loyalty
    Being loyal to your superiors, friends, and cause. Loyalty to family, master, or lord was of utmost importance for the samurai.

The FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS and the MIDDLE WAY

This is the basic principle of Buddhism, left to us by Siddhartha Gautama himself.

The Truth of Suffering

Life involves suffering, dissatisfaction, and impermanence. All human beings face pain, suffering, aging, illness, and death. Even pleasurable experiences are temporary and eventually lead to suffering.

The Truth of the Cause of Suffering

Suffering is caused by craving (tanha) and attachment. The desire for pleasure, power, fame, and even eternal life creates the cycle of suffering because we cling to impermanent things.

The Truth of the Cessation of Suffering

Suffering can be overcome. By attaining the state of enlightenment (nirvana), we can free ourselves from the cycle of suffering by abandoning attachment and craving. This is the end of suffering.

The Truth of the Path Leading to the Cessation of Suffering

Suffering can be overcome through the Noble Eightfold Path, which is a practice of ethical, mental, and intellectual discipline. The Noble Eightfold Path is the solution Buddha proposed to achieve the cessation of suffering.

THE MIDDLE WAY

The Middle Way is the practice that avoids the extremes of indulgence and self-mortification. Buddha taught that true wisdom and liberation lie in the middle path, avoiding both worldly pleasures and rigid asceticism.

It is primarily illustrated through the Noble Eightfold Path, which is an ethical and disciplined practice to achieve the end of suffering. The Middle Way seeks moderation and balance in all aspects of life.

The Noble Eightfold Path (Which Forms the Middle Way):

  • Right View

  • Understanding the Four Noble Truths and the nature of reality, recognizing suffering and its causes.

  • Right Intention
    Cultivating intentions of renunciation, goodwill, and compassion, abandoning selfish desires, violence, and attachments.

  • Right Speech
    Avoiding lies, gossip, harsh, or meaningless words. Speaking honestly, kindly, and constructively.

  • Right Action
    Acting ethically without harming others. Following principles of morality and kindness, avoiding actions such as killing, stealing, and adultery.

  • Right Livelihood
    Earning a living in an ethical way, without harming others or oneself. Avoiding professions that involve violence, deception, or exploitation.

  • Right Effort
    Diligently working to cultivate positive mental qualities and eliminate negative ones, such as craving, anger, and ignorance.

  • Right Mindfulness
    Maintaining mindfulness and awareness in all actions. Being present in the moment and observing one's thoughts and feelings without attachment.

  • Right Concentration
    Developing meditation and concentration, achieving deep mental calm. This helps cultivate wisdom and mental clarity.

STOICISM

The essence of Stoicism says that happiness does not come from what happens around us, but rather from how we decide to react to it.
The great insight of Stoicism is that true inner peace comes from acceptance. The traits of Stoicism in summary teach us that, by accepting what we cannot change, we find the freedom to direct our attention to what really matters.
I recommend studying a little more about it.

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