How do you explain the basic belief of Buddhism?

Answer 1

Well, there is no one basic belief. There are a number of things that Buddhists believe are the foundation of our religion; so your question is difficult to answer. If I was to pick just one of the Four Noble Truths to address, it would leave whole segments of Buddhism's core beliefs (such as Karma, rebirth, etc) unaddressed.

But, I will address one item that is fundamental, that is the first Noble Truth. That all life is unsatisfactory. Typically the word used is suffering. Now it should be explained that the Pali word the Buddha used is Dukkha. As in all translations some words can't be translated one-to-one from one language to another. Dukka in Pali suggests a basic unsatisfactoriness with life, due to the fact that our lives are impermanent and constantly changing. So it means unease, disquiet, stress, not really suffering, but suffering sort of captures the overall meaning the Buddha was trying to describe in English.

The Buddha explained that our suffering doesn't come from without, but from within. That our desire to be taller, shorter, richer, cooler, drive a better car, live in a different place, etc. (Desires) drives us to be unhappy. Also the fact that we think life should be pain free, without fear and want (aversions) makes us unhappy. Finally not realizing how the world actually is and how it really works (ignorance) makes us unhappy. All these things are controlled within our mind.

Think of this example, two people are waiting for a late bus, one is fuming, and the other is whistling a happy tune. Why? The bus is late for both, but one is suffering, the other is not. Is the bus the problem or the person who is mad over something they can't control? Is getting mad going to make the bus come any faster?

So understanding that life is unsatisfactory is a key concept to Buddhism.