Buddhism

Leilani Merrill                                                                                                

                                                            BUDDHISM

One could claim that it is in the nature of man as designed by our creator to continuously advance human thought by means of its dialectical process.  As a consequence of the mystical prospect of Hinduism, the religious practice of Buddhism was created.  Born in fact as a reaction to Hinduism, Buddhism was born applying rationale practically to the supernatural Hindu philosophy.  Though  there are similarities between the two religions, Buddhism has manifested into distinct religion all its own.

The formation of Buddhism is an amazing legend established by one man.  Siddharta Gautama Buddha was born around 563 B.C in what is now Nepal, near the Indian border.  His father was a king and by the standards of his day his  lifestyle was luxurious.  Residing in opulence, Siddharta lived exceptionally comfortably.  His surroundings were regulated by the king, so Siddharta was spared from harsh realities. Whether his lifestyle did not satisfy him, or he always knew there was more beyond the kingdom’s walls Siddharta grew despondent. 

The legend alleges that there are four sights that launched the creation of Buddhism.  The first instance occurred when Siddharta ordered his chariot to lead him beyond the palace gates and he viewed an old man for the first time.  He was awestruck by the frailty that encompassed the old man as he questioned the charioteer  of the old man’s conditioned whereupon the driver informed him that this was the eventual lot of all human beings, including himself and that it was a natural and unavoidable event.  Siddharta was astonished at this notion as he pondered “What is the use of this youth, vitality and strength, if it all ends in this?” It was this day when Siddhartha learned the fact of old age.

The second sight was during his next excursion out of the palace where he saw a sick person plagued with disease lying by the roadside.  It was this day he learned the fact of illness.

The third sight was that of a corpse being carried to the cremation ground on a stretcher.  Siddharta was overwhelmed with the cold truth and the inevitability of death in a lifetime. It was this day he learned the truth of death.

The fourth and final sight was that  of a sadhu, or holy man , walking in the streets with his alms bowl.  The sadhu is a “wandering one.” One who understands the world he lives in and has chose to forfeit social norms in pursuit of internal peace. This is where Siddharta learned of hope in an unforgiving world.

The legendary tale accounts that on an eve of a full moon Siddharta kissed his wife and child goodbye and embarked on his quest for the ultimate truth of reality. 

In his quest for the truth Siddharta lived the lifestyle of the ascetics.  Daring his body of the limitations his body could endure, he deprived his body of its needs, providing it the sheerest amount of sustenance. On the verge of collapsing Siddharta deserted his precarious lifestyle and sat under the legendary Bo Tree.  Resolving “ I will not rise from this spot until I am enlightened. Flesh may wither away, blood may dry up, but until I gain enlightenment I shall not move from this seat.”  Thus, Siddharta achieved his goal of Enlightenment during which in his deep meditative trance his ultimate goal of truth was achieved.  He then became “Buddha,” the enlightened or awakened one as he went on to create the religion of Buddhism.

The fundamental basis of Buddhism is based on four principles.  The first is the inevitable existence of Dukkha.  The terminology Dukkha denotes the inevitability of suffering in a lifetime due to attachments to impermanent entities.  Once attachments are made, one becomes a prisoner to the bondage of their attachment. Dukkha means suffering, all types of anxiety, unbalance, or dis-ease. The human experience with all of its inadequate imperfections is suffering. According to Buddhism,suffering is the most inevitable aspect of reality.  All is suffering!  Buddhism denotes the impermanence of all entities and our meager attachments to these impermanent entities will undoubtedly lead to suffering.  Even happy thoughts will lead to suffering, due to the inevitable impermanence of the entity.  There is so much suffering in life than it can be declared as encoded in the human condition.  We are thrown into a world coveting pleasure, thus yielding desire, thus yielding disappointment.  From dukkha stems all suffering and confusion.  Only by mastering dukkha will one release themselves from suffering.

The second noble truth, Avidya, refers to un-wisdom or non seeing of reality.  This truth contends that the cause of dukkha is cravings or desires.  It is through our ignorance and attachments to impermanent entities which leads us to suffering.  This notion asserts that the cause of human misery and evil is ignorance.  Human beings are so ignorant about their own nature that all of their actions have the wrong orientation.  Avidya is significant because it is our attachments to impermanent entities which leads us to suffering.  In order to arise this predicament one would have to de-program their pre-conditioned schema of thought.

The third noble truth,Prajna, argues that the process of dukkha can be overcome.  That there is an end to the anguish and suffering that plagues humanity and the end is reached through knowledge of the ultimate reality.  Since prajna refers to the third noble truth, it is the final step until the eightfold noble path is prescribed.

The fourth noble truth consists of the eightfold noble path, the key to liberation from suffering, the path to enlightenment.

The Eightfold Noble Path is the framework to enhance and cultivate the Buddhist principles and philosophy.  The first idea is the Right View.  To respectfully comprehend the concept of the Impermanence.  That all worldly matter and thought are imperfect ideals and subject to modification.  One must incorporate the law of Karma, that the vibe one emits will be the same they eventually attract.  With faith of the Right Intention is when an ethical and mental commitment is made toward self improvement.  One must remain uninfluenced by the temptations of desire, and be resistant to negative emotions toward the developmental process of compassion.  The view of the Right Speech is concerned with ethical conduct.  One must refrain from slander, perjury, deceit, or any form of inapprorite speech.  Through this technique, moral discipline will be strengthened, conducive to other principles in the path.  The idea of the Right Action refers to abstinence.  To abstain from harming others as well as oneself.  To refrain from taking what is not given and to abstain from sexual misconduct.  Right livelihood encourages one to live in a virtuous manner asserting that wealth should be gained both legally and peacefully.  Right Effort can be viewed as a qualification of the path.  Mental energy is the force behind effort and the power must be assenting.  One must prevent the uprising of unpleasant states, discard the unpleasant states that have previously taken place, stimulate pleasant states which have not yet surfaced, and to sustain and perfect pleasant states that have already risen.  One must practice Right Mindfulness, the mental capacity to perceive things as they really are with a clear consciousness.  One should cultivate stillness, detachment, and the indifference to all impermanent entities remaining dispassionate from other vibrations that are derived from senses and the emotional response to such feelings.  The final principle of the path is Right Concentration.  It is the enhancement to all intellectual force that occurs in natural consciousness.  Described as one pointed ness of mind, it is a condition where all mental abilities are unified and directed toward once particular object.  Meditation is the technique through this spiritual path.  In meditation the mind focuses on a selected object directing itself onto it, maintaining complete concentration, then escalating concentration step by step.  Through the devoted practice of meditation the mind comes closer to true serenity.

The ultimate ambition of meditation is the abolition of all suffering.  Buddhist mediation believes the breath to be a vital aspect of the sitting.  The breath is a source of life and when the breath is softly flowing, concentrated with depth, the effect further enhances the meditation process.  Similarly, mental concentration is essential to a productive meditation session.  One must train their mind not to travel that twisted tangent of thoughtful consciousness.  They must quiet their mind, lulling all other “noise” to rest, enhancing detachment and objectivity in their pursuit of peace.

Now I charge every particle of my system, from head to foot, with thoughts of   boundless love and compassion. My whole body is saturated with love and compassion.  I am stronghold, a fortress of love and compassion.

                                         Meditation on Love (Metta)

What makes meditation so effective is the mantras inwardly  spoken. Whatever themiracle, the hymns emanate throughout one’s body.  One is addressing these peacefulsayings to oneself, healing the wounds instilled in one’s soul.

If happiness is the quest for all human beings, the ultimate reality, the concept of Enlightenment is the closest entity to it. It is the mental state of peace, of tranquility.  It acceptance along for all the things one cannot control and gratitude for all the things one can control.  It is the compassion for all other beings.  It is in integrity, the convictions to hold true to one’s morals.  It possesses the humility to never take anything for granted and the appreciation for the divinity of their blessings.

            Buddhism is a philosophy to live by.  The guiding principles behind the philosophical force will lead individuals to the inner solitude we all necessitate.  It will provide individuals the courage to approach new situations with confidence, opposed to insecurity, trust opposed to fear, and clarity opposed to disillusion.  People should  incorporate the law of acceptance of all things, good and bad and when faced with the inevitable bad, instead of being devastated must transform their adversity into newfound strength.  After incorporating these new principles into their lifestyle, people may be able to live in an existence based on acceptance for the natural order, and thus creating peace within.