Buddha's Teachings

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Buddha's Teachings

IN the evolutionary ladder, it is said, there are millions in different

stages of spiritual development, and there are only a few who have reached

the topmost rung. They are the men made ch. perfect. One such perfect

being is Lord Buddha, the flower of humanity.

As Prince Sidhartha, he was dissatisfied with life and started his quest for

truth renouncing all earthly splendours, a vast kingdom, a beautiful wife

Yasodhara and an only son. He trod the arduous path of spiritual life and

spent many a year in search and suffering. After all the trials and

tribulations of spiritual life, he reached the security of a haven, when

enlightenment dawned on him. He had achieved the conquest of self. The

mystery of the universe became an open book to him.

Thus Prince Sidhartha became the Buddha—the enlightened. He became

"All-honoured, the Wisest, the Best, the Most Pitiful, the Teacher of

Nirvana and the Law."—Rhys Davids- In his infinite compassion for suffering

humanity, he preached the four Noble Truths. He said that in men's lives

misery is greater than happiness—this is the first Noble Truth. All misery

arises from the thirst for life—this is the second Noble Truth. Each man

without help of priest or book can by his own efforts put an end to the

craving which causes misery—this is the third Noble Truth. The fourth Noble

Truth is the Noble Eightfold Path which leads to the ending of the misery.

This consists of:

(i) Right Belief; (ii) Right Thought; (iii) Right Speech; (iv) Right actions

; (v) Right means of livelihood ; (iv) Right Energy ; (vii) Right

contemplation ; and (viii) Right Realisation (Lord Buddha's first sermon).

He taught us not to serve the foolish, but serve only the wise, and to

honour those who are worthy of it. We must live doing good deeds with right

desires in our hearts. Everyone must have proper education and practise

self-control and purity in thought, word and deed. As householders, we must

have a peaceful calling, protect the father and mother and the family, help

the relatives and bestow alms on the needy. We must abhor and abstain from

sin and strong drink, cultivate reverence, humility, contentment and

gratitude. We must love the company of holy men and listen to religious

discourses.

Those who walk in this glorious path of righteousness are safe and

invincible. This is the golden mean—the middle path— between the extremes of

sensuousness on the one hand and asceticism on the other. This is the good

Law proclaimed by Lord Buddha in his never-ending love for men. The same

principles were taught to His devotees by Sai Baba of Shirdi, when He was in

flesh and blood, as God is one, but His names are many.

 

(Adopted from the Book Pearls of Wisdom by His Holiness Swami Kesavaiahji)