Originally published in English nearly forty years ago, the book The Fundamental Principles of Buddhism de Kogen Mizuno, by the Sully Editions, has established itself as a modern classic of introduction to Buddhism. This book, reprinted eight times in ten years in its English version, offers readers a clear and lively explanation of the essential teachings of the Buddha.
The author, both a Soto Buddhist monk and a leading scholar of ancient Buddhism, combines the rigor of a scholar with the faith of a practitioner to make accessible a body of doctrine often considered complex. His approach emphasizes the principles common to all Buddhist schools, in a resolutely universalist and contemporary spirit.
The origins of Buddhism: from Shakyamuni to the different schools
Before addressing the philosophical notions, Kogen Mizuno begins by placing the Buddha's teaching in its historical contextThe first chapter of the book traces the evolution of Buddhism from its origins with Shakyamuni (Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha) to the various branches that have developed over the centuries. The early Buddhism, born around 2,500 years ago in India around the awakening of Shakyamuni, a prince who became a monk and sage, gradually structured itself after the death of the Buddha into several currents. Mizuno thus evokes the "Buddhism of the schools" ou sectarian Buddhism, resulting from the first councils and divisions of the monastic community, then the rise of the current Mahayana (Great Vehicle) through its early, middle, and late phases. This historical perspective helps us understand how, over more than two millennia, Buddhist doctrine branched out into numerous schools while retaining a core of universal truths.
Mizuno also points out that Buddhism has developed "a body of extremely complex doctrines which vary from one school to another", making its exhaustive understanding difficult. This is why he claims to have chosen, in his book, to "neglecting the differences between schools" to exhibit "that the fundamental truths common to all Buddhism". According to him, "In its purest form, Buddhism does not take sides with any particular group or school, but reveals the universal condition of man. In this sense, it is the ideal religion for the future."This perspective guides the entire approach of the work: presenting the heart of the Buddha's teaching as it can be understood and adopted by all, beyond sectarian differences.
The Fundamental Teachings of the Buddha Explained by Kogen Mizuno
As the chapters progress, The Fundamental Principles of Buddhism reviews the essential notions shared by all Buddhist traditions. Kogen Mizuno explains them pedagogically, illustrating how they are interconnected in Buddhist thought. These notions include:
- The Three Jewels (Three Refuges) - It's about Buddha (the Awakened One, model and spiritual guide), of the Dharma (the Teaching of the Buddha) and the Sangha (the Buddhist community of monks, nuns and lay practitioners). Taking refuge in these Three Jewels is the founding act by which one becomes a Buddhist, affirming one's trust in the Buddha, his doctrine, and the community. These are the pillars upon which all Buddhist practice rests.
- The Four Noble Truths – Considered as "the fundamental principles of Buddhism", they were the first teaching given by Shakyamuni after his awakening. These four truths expose: (1) the omnipresent reality of the pain (dukkha) in existence, (2) the origin of suffering, namely desire, attachment and ignorance, (3) the cessation of suffering – the possibility of a release, named nirvana, when the causes of suffering are extinguished, and (4) the path leading to this cessation of suffering. This “path” is precisely the Noble Eightfold Path, the last item on the list. The Four Noble Truths are at the heart of all Buddhist teachings and form the basis of the Buddha’s philosophy.
- The Noble Eightfold Path – This is the practical path that the Buddha advocates for eliminating suffering, in eight interdependent parts. It includes: Right view (or correct understanding of reality, including the Four Truths), the Right thought (intentions devoid of malice or covetousness), the Right Word (express oneself truthfully and kindly), theRight action (act in a non-harmful and moral way), the Just livelihoods (earning a living without harming others),Righteous effort (make the effort to cultivate beneficial states of mind), theJust be careful (full awareness of oneself, others and present reality) and the Right concentration (development of deep meditation). This eight-point path is often grouped into three areas, wisdom, ethics and mental discipline, which is also called triple trainingFollowing the Noble Eightfold Path allows one to progress toward enlightenment by transforming one's understanding, conduct, and mind.
- The chain of twelve interdependent causes – Also called the twelve rings of conditioned production (pratītya-samutpāda in Sanskrit), this doctrine describes the cyclical mechanism which generates suffering and keeps beings in the samsara (the cycle of rebirth). It consists of twelve linked factors (ignorance, volitional acts, consciousness, name-form, six senses, contact, sensation, thirst, attachment, existence, birth, old age and death), each conditioning the appearance of the next. Presented as a circular sequence, this conditioned co-production shows that all phenomena arise in dependence on each otherIt serves to explain the origin of suffering and its continuation as long as ignorance persists. Mizuno offers a detailed analysis, emphasizing that breaking this cycle at one link (by eradicating ignorance and desire, through the practice of the eightfold path) allows one to put an end to suffering and achieve liberation.
- The Triple Training (Triple Teaching) – This term refers to the three workouts inseparable principles that Buddhist practitioners must follow: ethical conduct (śīla), The mental discipline (samādhi, that is, meditation and concentration) and the wisdom (prajna). These three components cover the entire practice of the Noble Path: ethics corresponds to the precepts and moral life (right speech, right action, right livelihood), mental discipline covers meditation and mindfulness (right effort, attention and concentration), and wisdom encompasses the right vision and understanding of truths. Kogen Mizuno explains how this gradual threefold training leads to a profound inner transformation: the observance of the moral precepts (such as non-violence, sincerity, honesty, self-control, etc.) purifies conduct and creates a favorable context for meditation; the practice of meditation develops mental peace and clairvoyance; finally, this clarity of mind allows one to cultivate wisdom, that is, the direct understanding of reality as it is. Ultimately, it is this wisdom that dispels ignorance and leads to Enlightenment.
- Faith and Compassion – Although Buddhism emphasizes personal understanding and experience, the faith occupies an important place in the spiritual journey. Mizuno devotes chapters to “entrance into the Way” et "the religious spirit", emphasizing the role of the practitioner's initial trust in the Three Jewels and faith in the possibility of Enlightenment. He also discusses the “four indestructible objects of faith” (probably faith in the Buddha, the Dharma, the Sangha and discipline) which stabilize the practice. At the same time, compassion (karuṇā), defined as altruistic love in the face of the suffering of others, is put forward as a central value of Buddhist ethics. Particularly in the Mahayana, universal compassion, combined with wisdom, is the ideal of the bodhisattva who is committed to helping all beings. Mizuno's work thus recalls that the kindness, the sympathy and the desire to relieve others from suffering are an integral part of the Buddha's practice, alongside the quest for wisdom.
By addressing each of these fundamental points and other concepts such as Three Seals of the Law (impermanence, non-self, suffering) or Buddhist ideals, Kogen Mizuno offers a complete summary of what every Buddhist, whether a follower of Theravāda, Zen, Tibetan Buddhism or another school, must know. These common teachings, such as the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, remain recognized as fundamental elements of faith in all Buddhist traditions without exception. By emphasizing this shared doctrinal heritage, the author succeeds in his challenge of presenting “the essence of Buddhist teaching, common to all schools, explained in a clear and lively manner”.
A reference work combining erudition, faith and modernity
More than just a theoretical presentation, The Fundamental Principles of Buddhism is distinguished by its accessibility and the relevance of his words for today's reader.
Kogen Mizuno, born in 1901 and died in 2006, was a renowned academic (president of Komazawa University in Japan) as well as a practicing monk. This dual identity is reflected in his writing: he manages to combine scholarly precision, based on the ancient texts that he studied and translated, with a deep personal conviction in the Buddhist path. Thus, his explanations are not only intellectual: they are enriched by the sincere faith that he brings to the Dharma and through an inner understanding of spiritual practices.
The work, translated from its original Japanese, attracted a wide international audience upon its publication in English under the title Basic Buddhist ConceptsIts success (eight reprints in ten years) is explained by the pedagogical clarity of his approach and his universality of mind. Mizuno addresses “to all”, believers and non-believers alike, Eastern and Western, by showing how Shakyamuni's teachings can speak to all of humanity across time. He portrays Buddhism as a wisdom rooted in the reality of the universal human condition, capable of providing answers to the torments of modern existence just as much as it did in ancient India. For example, by expounding on the law of causality and the notion of interdependence, the author invites the contemporary reader to reflect on the responsibility for one's actions and on the fundamental solidarity that binds all beings, a message of obvious relevance in a globalized world. Similarly, the emphasis placed on mental discipline and meditation echoes the current craze for mindfulness and stress management techniques, showing that the Buddha's teachings retain practical resonance more than two millennia after their formulation.
The Fundamental Principles of Buddhism shines with its balanced between rigor and simplicity. The structure of the book is methodical, successively covering the historical context, the philosophical foundations, the detailed explanations of major concepts and the practical aspects of the Buddhist path. Yet, the author never falls into inaccessible jargon: each notion is explained with simple words, examples or analogies when necessary, and placed in a coherent overall vision. The style is lively, far from any dogmatism, reflecting the “sensitivity of a man of the contemporary world” from Mizuno. When reading, one feels a contagious enthusiasm for Buddhist wisdom, which is reflected in the constant concern to make people understand Why et how to These principles can improve everyone's life.
Ultimately, this book by Kogen Mizuno succeeds in the challenge of being both an encyclopedic introduction and a fervent testimony on Buddhism. It gives the reader the keys to understanding why Millions of people, for more than two thousand years, have turned to the doctrine of Shakyamuni. Through its encyclopedic scope, its pedagogy and its sincerity, The Fundamental Principles of Buddhism stands out as a background work a must-read for anyone interested in the Buddha's thought.
Whether one seeks to discover the basics of Buddhism or to revive one's understanding of it, this work offers a clear synthesis timeless truths taught by the Buddha, illuminated by the eyes of a 20th-century scholar who was able to extract their essence to share it with our present generations.
Ema Lynnx
sources:
Kogen Mizuno, The Fundamental Principles of Buddhism. French translation. Sully Editions, June 2025 edition
