BUDDHISM

       BUDDHISM

GAUTAM BUDDHA

Gautam Buddha was born at Lumbini. The Buddha delivered his first sermon on deliverance from suffering to his five former companions in a deer park at Sarnath . This event is known as" dhamma chakka - pavattana," meaning ' turning to the wheel of dharma' . Buddha is represented in five forms : 

a) Lotus and Bull - Birth 

b) Horse - Renunciation

c) Bodhi tree- Mahabodhi 

d) Dhammachakra Pravartana - First Sermon 

e)  Footprints - Nirvana .

Doctrine of Buddhism:

 The core of Buddha's doctrine is expressed in the Ariya - Sachchani ( Four noble truths) , Astangika Marga ( Eight fold path) , Middle Path , Social Code of Conduct, and Attainment of Nirvana. 

Four Noble Truths: According to Buddha , four noble truths are - 

a) Life has inevitable suffering.

b) There is a cause to our suffering; that is desire.

c) There is an end of suffering; that is Nirvana.

d) The end to suffering is contained in the eight fold path . 

Eight Fold Path: 

a) Right Understanding

b) Right Concentration

c) Right mindfulness

d) Right effort

e) Right Livelihood

f) Right Action

g) Right Speech

h) Right thought 

Right Action: These are ethical code of conduct.

According to Buddha, following are considered as right action: 

a) Do not commit violence

b) Do not cover the property of others

c) Do not indulse in corrupt practices or sensual behaviour

d) Do not speak a lie 

e) Do not use intoxicants .

Important pillars : Buddha's teachings contain three important pillars: 

a) Buddha - Founder / Teacher

b) Dhamma - Teachings

c) Sangha - Order of Buddhist monks / nuns. 

Five Aggregates: 

a) Rupa 

b) Vedana 

c) Sanna 

d) Sankharas 

e) Vinnana