BUDDHA'S TEACHINGS

Posted 15 Feb 2024

Updated 22 Mar 2024

4 min read

Why in the news?

Recently, the Vice President of India stressed the importance of Buddha’s teachings while addressing the 12th General Assembly of the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace (ABCP).

Important Teachings of Buddha

In the 6th century BC, Buddha preached that life brings sorrow. To find freedom, one must overcome desire.
His teachings encompass 'Four Noble Truths' and 'Eight-Fold Path’ or Ashtangika Marg.
Four Noble Truths:
- There is suffering and the entire world is inflicted by it
- There is a cause for suffering, which is not one entity, but a cycle of twelve links, with ignorance being the root cause.
- There is end of suffering if the root cause of suffering, i.e., ignorance is dispelled.
- There is a path that leads to the end of suffering, known as the eight-fold path.
'Eight-Fold Path’ (Path to the end of suffering): Right- Views, Aspiration, Speech, Action, Livelihood, Effort, Mindfulness and Concentration.
He advocated a ‘Middle Path’, a simple, virtuous life between extreme austerity and luxury.
Further, Buddhist ethics, the expansion of the fourth noble truth, prescribes three gems (Triratna)-Knowledge, conduct and meditation as the means of liberation.
The five conducts that are very important for a Buddhist monk include: Non-violence, Non-stealing, Celibacy, Truthfulness and not taking any intoxicating things like liquor.

Contemporary Relevance of Buddha’s Teachings

Addresses Consumerism and Materialistic Greed: Buddha acknowledged the relationship between attachment and sorrow and inspired to follow the pursuit of inner contentment.
- This can address mindless consumerism and promote sustainable consumption as envisioned in India’s Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment).
Promoting Scientific temper: Encouraging mindfulness, concentration, and right understanding can facilitate a spirit of inquiry.
Citizen-centric governance: Right Speech, conduct, and livelihood can help make administration more responsive and service-driven, prioritizing citizen welfare and inclusivity.
- Also, the incorporation of ‘Right conduct’ among public servants can help address concerns related to corruption.
Forest Conservation: Buddhist monastic rules prohibit the cutting of plants and trees which recognizes sufferings associated with deforestation to habitat and indigenous communities.
- Such recognition can help address contemporary forest degradation through Community based forest management.
Sustainable development: Pursuit of the 'Middle Path' can offer a path of sustainability, simplicity and moderation and be a solution to climate change, over-exploitation of resources, etc.

Pursuance of just and egalitarian society: Buddha preached non-discrimination by opening the institution of Sangha to all persons (including courtesans like Amrapali) above fifteen years of age.
- His teachings can help eliminate discrimination against vulnerable sections like sex workers, women, transgender, etc.
Peace, harmony, and coexistence: Spirit of love towards all living and emphasis on the law of karma can curb wars, terrorism, extremism and violence.
Inter-faith harmony: Buddha neither accepted nor rejected the existence of God. He was more concerned about the individual and his actions.
Ethical guide: There is rise of frontier technology like Artificial Intelligence, biotechnology etc.
Buddha’s teachings of simplicity, moderation, middle path and reverence for all life, guide us to deal with ethical ambiguity associated with these advances.

Peaceful resolution of conflict: Buddha rejected violence and taught dialogue as best way to resolve conflicts. In his lifetime, Buddha resolved tensions between rulers of neighboring kingdoms.

Conclusion

Buddha’s teachings have a non- anthropocentric approach which focuses not only on human liberation by practicing moral disciplines but also on wellbeing of all creatures and the natural world.