Buddha, also known as Shakyamuni Buddha, is the founder of Buddhism. Lord Buddha attained “Enlightenment” under the Bodhi tree. After attaining Nirvana, Lord Buddha became a figure who provided the wisdom he obtained and helped billions of people end their suffering and achieve the state of Nirvana.
Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism are the two primary branches of Buddhism. The people of Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia predominantly follow Theravada, while East Asia is known for its widespread support of Mahayana Buddhism.
The Three Universal Truths and Basic Teachings of Lord Buddha
After attaining nirvana, Lord Buddha started teaching people the way of life. Near the city of Benares, he shared his first teachings with five holy men, and they immediately understood his teachings and agreed to follow Lord Buddha. For forty-five years, Buddha, along with his disciples, started spreading Buddha’s wisdom and teachings in India. The teachings of Lord Buddha are also known as Dhamma. Let’s look at some of the crucial teachings that Lord Buddha left behind for the sake of humanity.
During his enlightenment, Buddha found answers to three universal questions and thoroughly explained these answers and the truth to his disciples.
These Three Universal truths are some basic teachings of The Buddha
- Nothing is lost in the Universe:The first universal truth that Buddha found was that “Nothing in this Universe is lost.” Old solar systems disintegrate into cosmic rays. We are the children of our parents, and we will be our children’s parents.
If we destroy something around us, we destroy ourselves. If we lie to another, we lie to ourselves. Learning and understanding these truths, Lord Buddha and his disciples never killed animals.
- Everything changes:The second universal truth is that everything changes and keeps on changing continuously. Dinosaurs and mammoths used to rule this planet, but now we humans rule the planet. Life is like a river; it keeps on flowing, ever-changing.
- Law of Cause and Effect:“The kind of seed sown
will produce that kind of fruit.
Those who do good will reap good results.
Those who do evil will reap evil results.
If you carefully plant a good seed,
You will joyfully gather good fruit. “
~ Dhammapada
It is also mentioned in the Dhammapada: if we do good things, then good things will come to us. If we do something evil, then evil things will happen to us. It is all due to Cause and Effect. This law of Cause and Effect is known as Karma.
Most religions strongly believe in Karma, and so does Buddhism. Good Karma results in good results, and evil Karma leads to wrong results.
The Four Noble Truths
The Noble Truth of Suffering
“There is happiness in life,
happiness in friendship,
happiness of a family,
happiness in a healthy body and mind,
but when one loses them, there is suffering.”
~ Dhammapada
What is suffering?
Suffering is everywhere. When people are born, they cry. When they are sick, they have pain. When they are old, they have sufferings with their body. When people die, someone dear feels sorrow for their death.
- The Noble Truth of Cause of Suffering:
What is the cause of this suffering? Why do we feel pain? Why do people suffer?
These result from greed or wanting more, ignorance, and the wrong idea of pleasure.
- The Noble Truth of End of Suffering
In order to end suffering, one must be able to cut off one’s greed and idea of pleasure. One must learn and have knowledge to cut off one’s ignorance.
The first way to end suffering is to change one’s views, try to live naturally, and possess a peaceful mind. The state where one ends suffering and lives peacefully is known as Nirvana. This is the highest goal and aim of Buddhism, and Buddha tries to spread his knowledge to people so that they can end their suffering.
- The Noble Truth of Path to end suffering:
The path to ending the suffering is called the Noble Eightfold Path or Middle Way.
Noble Eight-Fold Path or Middle Way
The path to ending people’s suffering is known as the Noble Eightfold Path or Middle Way. The Noble Eightfold Path is one of the principal teachings of Buddha. These teachings of Buddha described the way leading to a cessation of dukkha and the state of self-awakening. The Noble Eightfold path is described below:
1. Right View:
What is the right view?
Knowledge about the cause of suffering, knowledge of how to end the cause of suffering, knowledge of the path to end the suffering—this is called the right view.
2. Right Intention:
The right intention can also be called the “right thought.” Understanding the right view, one should be able to differentiate between right and wrong intentions. One should be resolved to be free from ill will, which is what the right intention will teach you.
3. Right Speech:
One should always refrain from lying and ill-speaking. One should make the best use of one’s speech, abandon false speech, and always speak the truth.
4. Right Conduct:
The right conduct is never to hurt others, criticize others, or behave well. One should never take actions that may harm others.
5. Right Livelihood
“Do not earn your living by harming others. Do not seek happiness by making others unhappy.”
The Buddha.
One should never choose to live where his way of living may directly or indirectly harm others.
6. Right Effort
The right effort can also be called the “right endeavor.” One should always try to take any action based on the goodwill of people.
7. Right Mindfulness
People must constantly focus on phenomena that may affect the body and mind. This means one must know one’s thoughts, words, and actions.
8. Right Concentration
Also known as “right meditation,” Right concentration teaches people to concentrate and focus on one thing or object at a time. Thus leading to a quiet and peaceful mind.
Following these 8 Noble Eightfold Paths, one can cultivate their wisdom, thus leading to the path to attain “nirvana”.
The Triple Jewel
Lord Buddha established three refuges for people to follow his teachings. A refuge is a place where people can rely on and go to for the purpose of safety. The three refuges that Lord Buddha established are as follows:
- The Buddha is the guide
- The Dhamma is the path
- The Sangha are the teachers and companions along the way.
The Five Percepts
Lord Buddha established the five most important rules in Buddhism and called them the Five Percepts.
- Avoid Killing
- Avoid taking anything that is not yours
- Avoid sexual misconduct
- Avoid lying
- Avoid any false drinks
These are some of the teachings Lord Buddha himself passed down for the sake of humanity and their well-being. Every Buddhist has studied and practiced these teachings and sworn never to make mistakes or blunders.
