Budizam

Veljačić begins with a historical overview of the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, and the emergence of Buddhism in the 6th century BC in India. He explains the fundamental concepts: the four noble truths (suffering, the cause of suffering, the cessation of suffering, the path to cessation), the eightfold path as a practical guide to liberation, and nirvana as the ultimate goal – a state of liberation from the cycle of rebirth (samsara). He emphasizes anatta (the non-existence of a permanent self) and karma as key ideas.

The book analyzes the development of Buddhism through schools such as Theravada, Mahayana, and Zen, exploring their philosophical and practical differences. Veljačić also connects Buddhism with other philosophical systems, such as Western existentialist thought, emphasizing its universality. He also deals with meditation practices (vipassana, samatha) and their role in achieving inner peace.

The work draws on the author's deep knowledge of Eastern traditions and his academic approach, making Buddhism accessible to the Western reader.