For some sort of handbook I’ve just been asked to list ten things about Buddhism that I would want someone who knows nothing about it to know and this is what I’ve come up with.

Buddhism is what we call the original teachings and discipline established by the Buddha as well as the family of separate but related movements that have grown out of those early beginnings and spread in a vast and complex diversity of forms throughout the world.

1. The Buddha is the One Who Knows or the Enlightened One and is the title assumed by the former Prince following his Enlightenment at the age of 35.

2. The Buddha lived and taught in Northern Central India about 2,600 years ago.

3. What the Buddha taught addresses the problem of suffering by explaining its cause, its ending and the way to end it.

4. That path or middle way is a training in the gradual perfection of virtue, meditation and wisdom.

5. Buddhist morality is underpinned by the principle of harmlessness and for the laity is expressed through the Five Precepts that enjoin a person to abstain from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, untruthfulness and taking alcohol and drugs.

6. Buddhism is a non-theistic religion that has no God, creator or saviour.

7. Nor is it a belief system, dogma or faith based religion (generally Buddhists would not refer to it as a faith) but instead invites one to come and see and know for oneself.

8. The Buddha taught that there is no self or soul, rather we and all phenomena arise dependent on causes and conditions and are without any abiding self, soul or substance.

9. Much is made of merit, the doing of good deeds and the development of generosity, loving-kindness, compassion, non-attachment, truthfulness and patience.

10. Dependent on the intention, actions have results and it is how one has lived this life that after death conditions rebirth.