The Buddha began life in the 6th century BC as Siddhartha Gautama, the son of a tribal leader, in an area that is now probably Nepal.

Siddhartha had a prince-like standing in his tribe. From this privileged position, he began to wonder about the meaning of life and death and of growing old.

It is said that one day he met a sadhu, (literally, ‘good person’), who had given up all material possessions to go forth in search of life's meaning. This must have been a major factor in inspiring Siddhartha, at 29, to leave behind his comfortable life - and his wife and child - in order to search for the true meaning of life. 

 

He went in search of teachers, illuminated ones who could give him the knowledge he sought. He would absorb their teachings and then move on, valuing what he had learned but always feeling that there was something more, something that he was missing. For years he practised a programme of austerities, which in many ways amount to self-torture, during which he became weaker and weaker through long periods of fasting. He began to accumulate disciples, impressed by his great feats of asceticism. Eventually he realised that his austerities were not bringing him any closer to the truth, and he began to eat again.

Six years after leaving his home and family, he came to a place now known as Buddha Gaya, and stopped under a tree by a river. He started to relax his whole being, and stopped pushing so hard for the truth. Through meditation, he plunged deeper and deeper into his super consciousness. No one knows how long he stayed there, but it was during this time that he attained the state of enlightenment, or nirvana - that Siddhartha Gautama became the Buddha.

 

Buddhism is a philosophy rather than a religion. One of the reasons for this is that worship is not directed towards a God or a creator. Buddhists are more concerned with the road to enlightenment - a state of being. Buddhism is a hands-on discipline that advises you not to take it on trust. It says to come and see for yourself.

The Buddha once said, “Monks don’t accept what I say just out of respect for me. Just as gold is tested in the fire, test my words in the fire of spiritual experience.”

Buddhism grew from the story of a man who lived 2,500 years ago and, through his learning and subsequent teachings, left a legacy to the world. Some Buddhists believe that the Buddha was the first person ever to attain enlightenment. He was a hero and an explorer who went where no one else had ever been. He had no map to follow, no textbook to refer to, no compass to confirm that he was going in the right direction. The Buddha was a spiritual pioneer, and that is why he is so revered.

 

Buddhism is a tolerant teaching that takes the individual as the centre of the teachings. Many Buddhist texts are concerned with individuals improving themselves.

 

Buddha said:

 

Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. Do not believe anything because it is spoken and rumoured by many. Do not believe in anything because it is written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders.

 

But, after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and the benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.

 

The Essence of Buddha's Teaching.  

Buddha set forth his teaching in the following doctrine

 

The Four Noble Truths:

1. All things and experiences are marked by suffering/ disharmony/ frustration (dukkha).

 

2. The arising of suffering/ disharmony/ frustration comes from desire/ craving/ clinging.

 

3. To achieve the cessation or end of suffering/ disharmony/ frustration, let go of desire/ craving/ clinging.

 

4. The way to achieve that cessation of suffering/ disharmony/ frustration, is walking the Eightfold Path.

 

The eightfold path to the cessation of suffering:

 

1. Right Understanding of the following facts:

 

• the truth about suffering ... (The Four Nobel Truths);

• everything is impermanent and changes;

• there is no separate individual self - this is an illusion. (We are one!)

 

2. Right Determination to:

 

• give up what is wrong and evil;

• undertake what is good;

• abandon thoughts that have to do with bringing suffering to any conscious being; cultivate thoughts of loving kindness, that are based on caring about others' suffering, and sympathetic joy in others' happiness.

 

3. Right Speech:

 

• Abstain from telling lies.

• Abstain from talk that brings harm or discredit to others (such as backbiting or slander) or talk that creates hatred or disharmony between individuals and groups.

• Abstain from harsh, rude, impolite, malicious, or abusive language.

• Abstain from idle, useless, and foolish babble and gossip. Abstain from recrimination and negative statements.

• Abstain from harsh speech—practice kindly speech.

• Abstain from frivolous speech—practice meaningful speech.

• Abstain from slanderous speech—practice harmonious speech.

• Speak the truth if it is useful and timely. Practice only necessary speech. Let your speech be filled with loving kindness. Speak that which alleviates suffering.

 

4. Right Action:

 

• Peaceful, honourable conduct; abstain from dishonest dealings; take concrete steps necessary to foster what is good.

• Do things that are moral, honest, and alleviate suffering. Do not do things that will bring suffering to others or yourself.

 

5. Right Livelihood:

 

• Abstain from making your living from an occupation that brings harm and suffering to humans or animals, or diminishes their well being. This includes: activities that directly harm conscious beings, and activities that indirectly harm sentient beings, e.g., making weapons or poisons.

 

6. Right Effort:

 

• Foster good and prevent evil; 

• Work on yourself—be engaged in appropriate self-improvement. The essence of right effort is that everything must be done with a sense of proper balance that fits the situation. Effort should be balanced between trying too hard and not trying hard enough. For example, strike the balance between excessive fasting and over-indulgence in food. Trying hard to progress too rapidly gets poor results, as does not trying hard enough.

 

7. Right Mindfulness or wakefulness:

 

• Foster right attention.

• Avoid whatever clouds our mental awareness (e.g., drugs).

• Systematically and intentionally develop awareness.

 

8. Right Concentration:

 

• Developed by practicing meditation and/or mental focusing. Proper meditation must be done continuously while awake, and should include work on awareness of body, emotions, thought, and mind objects.

 

Five basic precepts:

 

1. Abstain from killing living beings (from destroying/taking life)—or practice love.

2. Abstain from taking the not-given (from stealing)—or practice generosity, practice giving.

3. Abstain from sexual misconduct—or practice contentment.

4. Abstain from false speech (from lying)—or practice truthfulness.

5. Abstain from taking intoxicating drinks—or practice awareness and mental clarity.