The historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, who lived in the 6th and 5th centuries BCE, primarily focused on teachings related to the alleviation of suffering and the path to liberation (nirvana) from the cycle of birth and death (samsara). His teachings are commonly known as the Dharma.
While the Buddha did address certain metaphysical questions and aspects of reality, his approach was pragmatic and aimed at addressing the human condition and the root causes of suffering. He discouraged indulging in speculative metaphysical debates that did not directly contribute to the cessation of suffering.
The Buddha's teachings primarily revolved around the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, and the concept of dependent origination (pratītyasamutpāda), which explains the interdependent nature of all phenomena and the causes of suffering.
The Four Noble Truths are:
The truth of suffering (dukkha): The acknowledgment that suffering is a fundamental aspect of life.
The truth of the origin of suffering (samudaya): Understanding the causes of suffering, which are often summarized as craving (tanha) and ignorance (avijja).
The truth of the cessation of suffering (nirodha): The realization that suffering can be ended through the cessation of its causes.
The truth of the path to the cessation of suffering (magga): The Noble Eightfold Path, which offers a practical guide for living a moral and mindful life to attain liberation.
While the Buddha did not delve extensively into abstract metaphysical speculations, some of his teachings touched upon topics that may be considered metaphysical in nature, such as the impermanence of all things (anicca), the non-self (anatta) doctrine, and the nature of reality. The concept of dependent origination, in particular, can be seen as a metaphysical principle that explains the interconnectedness and impermanence of phenomena.
In summary, while the Buddha did address certain aspects of metaphysics and reality, his primary focus was on providing practical guidance for reducing suffering and attaining enlightenment, rather than engaging in abstract philosophical debates about the nature of reality.