Basic beliefs of Buddhism
explained
This article explains the basic beliefs of Buddhism. These
constitute the Buddhist doctrine of salvation and belief in the
3 Jewels of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
As regards the doctrine of salvation Buddhism is based on 3
precepts:-
a) Impermanence of all phenomena – All things in life –
object, thoughts, feelings, whatever – are transient and
ephemeral. They are born, live and then die according to
unpredictable patterns.
b) All is unsatisfactory – all life is painful because
people base their lives around desires, which are sure to be
frustrated.
c) There is a fundamental illusion behind all reality.
Things are not as we perceive them to be. In addition the
doctrine states that all things arise out of a common Great
Void and returns to it in an endless cycle. This void is not
dead and cold like a nihilistic Black hole but is vibrant and
alive.
For more on thebasic beliefs of Buddhism and the Buddhist
doctrine of Salvation please refer this page on 5 facts Buddhism The page explains
some of the basic beliefs of Buddhism.
As regards the 3 Jewels these constitute the Buddha, Dharma
and Sangha.
The Buddha is a historical figure – a human who awoke to his
true nature and not a God. He lived during the period 563 B.C.
to 483 B.C.
For more on the life of the founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha
Gautama please refer this page on When was Buddhism
founded
The Buddha is accepted by all traditions of Buddhism as an
enlightened master. Thus in spiritual matters, he is regarded
as a sure and infallible guide. This belief is one of the basic
beliefs of Buddhism.
The importance of the historical Buddha – Siddhartha Gautama
– is played down by almost all schools of Buddhism. He assumes
importance because he is regarded as an unobstructed channel
for the Dharma (the doctrine) to flow and make itself known to
the world.
The Buddha was regarded –even in ancient times – as only one
in a series of many Buddhas. Some of these Buddhas like
Maitreya are still to come. By their coming they will give
strength and vigor to the Dharma and its teaching. This is
another of the basic beliefs of Buddhism.
According to many historians there is little reliable
information on the life of the Buddha and it is difficult to
know what is fact and what were the pious inventions of a later
age.
From the point of view of spiritual practice however, it
helps immensely if you are inspired by some enlightened master.
If you have feeling of reverence to the Buddha, it will
certainly help you in your meditation practice.
I should think this feeling of inspiration and reverence was
what was sought to be inculcated in the followers of Buddhism
and this is why the Buddha is regarded as one of the 3 Jewels
of Buddhism. This is one of the basic beliefs of Buddhism.
The second of the 3 Jewels is the Dharma.
Dharma has many meanings. It may be regarded for starters as
impersonal spiritual force.
Dharma may also be regarded as the one ultimate reality
underlying all things – call it God, Brahman, the Void or
Whatever.
The law of Dharma may also be regarded as the Doctrine or
Truth as stated in the Buddhist teachings.
The law of Dharma may also be regarded as righteousness or
virtue. It is the qualities of a realized individual, which
arose through his following the teachings of the Buddha.
Followers of Buddhism in Asia do not call themselves
Buddhists, but rather as followers of the Dharma.
The law of Dharma is what is emphasized in the Buddhist
teachings. The Buddha himself is reported to have said:
“What is there Vakkali, in seeing this vile body of mine?
Whoso sees the spiritual Law or Dharma, he sees me; whoso sees
me sees the spiritual Dharma. Seeing Dharma Vakkali, he sees
me, seeing me he sees Dharma”.
As stated earlier this emphasis on the Dharma is why
Buddhists regard the historical Buddha as important only
because he was a channel for the Dharma to flow. This is one of
the basic beliefs of Buddhism. It is following the teaching
that is stressed, not building a cult around a historical
individual or human being.
The Shakyamuni Buddha is said to have gotten the wheel of
Dharma rolling by his teachings around 2,500 years ago. It is
also said in Theravada Buddhism that the wheel of Dharma has
now lost impetus after around 2,500 years and Buddhists the
world over need to get the wheel of Dharma moving again for the
benefit of future generations and humanity
The third in the 3 Jewels of Buddhism is the Sangha. Belief
in the Sangha is one of the basic beliefs of Buddhism
The Sanga is important for the sustained effort over years,
even decades, that is required for spiritual growth.
If you are in the company of people who are doing the same
thing what you are doing then it is much easier to continue
with your practice. Left to yourself your practice will flag
after some years, if not months or weeks.
Taking another trivial example, deciding to go to the gym is
difficult. But once you are in the gym then it is easy – even
enjoyable – to do your workout. Part of the reason is that you
can see and have the company of other people who are also
working out, the same as you.
I urge you to find a community of people interested in
spirituality and make them a part of your life. In this online
age you have many avenues to explore. Go to Yahoo Groups and do
a search for spirituality on meditation or Buddhism or whatever
interests you.
There is also a separate category for Religion in Yahoo
Groups that you can browse at your leisure.
Those interested in the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh can
visit his website
Plum Village and join the online Sangha. This is a Yahoo
chat session, which discusses your spiritual practice and helps
resolve difficulties. It meets twice every Monday. I make it a
point to join these sessions whenever I can.
You can also do a search for “Forums, + meditation” or
“forums, + Buddhism”, (or whatever your subject). You will find
many active forums discussing your subject of interest.
Anyway, in historical times the Sangha was composed of
laymen and monks.
The Monks were much the more important and the highest of
them was the Arahat – the realized being who was free from the
necessity of being reborn to another life.
Belief in the Sangha is one of the basic beliefs of
Buddhism.
I hope you enjoyed this article. For more articles visit
this page on Buddhism
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