Life of Gautama Buddha    The Religion

II The Four noble truths preached by Buddha:

1. Life is full of suffering.
2. It is Desires that are the origin and cause of suffering.
3. To end all sorrows desires must be curbed and all cravings must be destroyed.
4. To destroy cravings one must follow the eight-fold path.

III The eight - fold path for Nirvaana: -

1. Right understanding/view of the 4 noble truths;
2. Right resolve/aspiration;
3. Right speech;
4. Right conduct;
5. Right vocation; means of living;
6. Right effort;
7. Right mindedness, attitude/thinking;
8. Right meditation

Buddha laid down the panchasheela or five fold rules to be followed by the common man. These are –

1. Never to do harm to living things (Ahimsaa)
2. Never speak falsehood (Satyam)
3. Never to steal (Asteya)
4. Not to indulge in the pleasure of the senses (Brahmacharya)
5. Not to take intoxicants.

Buddha’s teachings are very simple. He does not mention god or soul in his teachings. He refers to the ‘Manas’ or mind, which prompts all actions and words. Hence he emphasized that one must cultivate absolute purity of mind, purity of emotions, words, actions.

In India Buddhism got incorporated into its mother religion - Hinduism that is - Hindus accepted Buddha as the 9^th incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Buddhism, however, spread to the other countries and today it is religion of the people in many East Asian countries.

PRAYER:-

Buddham Saranam Gachaami.
(I seek refuge in Buddha)
Dharmam Saranam Gachaami.
(I seek refuge in Dharma)
Sangham Saranam Gachaami,
(I seek refuge in Sangha)