Buddhism by the Numbers

Numbers have always played an important role in Buddhism. They help give structure to the teachings and practices of Buddhism.

3 Jewels of Refuge

• Buddha

• Dharma (the teachings)

• Sangha (the Buddhist community)

3 higher trainings

• Morality

• Concentration

• Wisdom

4 noble truths

• Suffering

• Cause of suffering

• Cessation of suffering

• Eight-fold path to the cessation of suffering

4 marks of Buddha's teachings

• Compound phenomena are impermanent

• Ordinary phenomena are unsatisfactory

• All phenomena are insubstantial (selfless)

• Nirvana is peace

5 aggregates (skandhas)

• Form

• Feeling

• Recognition

• (Mental) formations

• Consciousness

6 Mahayana perfections

• Generosity (giving)

• Moral discipline (ethics)

• Patience

• Effort, energy

• Meditative concentration

• Wisdom

10 Theravada perfections

• Generosity

• Moral discipline

• Patience

• Effort

• Meditative concentration

• Wisdom

• Renunciation

• Truthfulness

• Loving-kindness

• Equanimity

8-fold path

• Right view

• Right intention

• Right speech

• Right action

• Right livelihood

• Right effort

• Right mindfulness

• Right concentration

10 non-virtuous actions

• Body

  • Killing

  • Stealing

  • Sexual misconduct

• Speech

  • Lying

  • Divisive speech

  • Harsh speech

  • Idle gossip

• Mind

  • Craving

  • Aversion

  • Delusion

12 links of dependent arising

• Ignorance

• (Mental) formations

• Consciousness

• Name and form

• Six Senses

• Contact

• Feeling

• Craving

• Grasping

• Becoming

• Birth

• Aging and death