Basic Teachings of Budhism

In the Indian sub-continent appeared in the sixth century B.C. one Sakiya Muni Gautam Rishi later called Buddha - the Wise. He spent all his youth in search of the Truth and underwent any amount of privations, indulges in deep thought for years and years, wondering from place to place and ultimately expressed his faith:-

1. "I cannot comprehend the Ultimate, or the Supreme Being. I only offer the solution of man's travail on this earth. All misery is the result of sins and greed. Whosoever rids himself of the evils will find "Nirwan" - freedom from misery and pain." In other words,Buddhist ideology does not advocate the practice of worshiping God in a physical form rather central point of Buddhist teaching are to get rid of sufferings of human being by self-correction.

2. According to Great Buddha, every suffering has its real reasons, which can be eliminated with the help of meditation and virtues.The teachings of Buddha reveal a step-by-step path to lasting happiness. Self-correction, selflessness and meditation are the basic themes of Buddhism teachings.

3. According to the teachings of Buddhism life is eternal. A man's birth is not the beginning of his life, nor his death the end of it. Death is the beginning of new life. Therefore, the cycle of life goes on moving forever. Everybody pays for his sins now or in his life to come. No prayer or sacrifice or intercession can rid man of the consequences of evil deeds. Peace of mind comes from rectitude, by shunning of sin and greed. The sinner tastes the agony of death. For the pure and innocent there is no agony."

3. Buddhism says that one must be pure in thoughts and should not wish or do any harm to anybody. When self purification is complete man gets Nirwana - i.e. the life of everlasting bliss. This is the Eternal Law.

4. Mahatma Buddha did not believe in the Vedas nor in the Simiti. About the Hindu deities he said that they were also subject to the Eternal Law.

5. The Buddhism also emphasis on acquiring knowledge and utilization of wisdom for the healing of sufferings of soul and body alike.

5. Mahatma Buddha preached the doctrine of universal brotherhood and was saluted as a Messiah of the down-trodden.

6. The teaching of Buddhism are based on morality. They persuade a human being to avoid sins, like; adultery, killing or harming creature, stealing and lying. These are called five percepts. The Buddhism also persuade its followers not to engage in worldly pleasures, like; over-eating, dancing, singing, wearing gold or silver etc.

In view of above, the Budhism can safely be said as a religion of peace, which emphasise on universal brotherhood and inner prosperity of the human being as a whole.