The Teachings of the Buddha
The teachings of the Buddha have been pieced together from stories found primarily in the Sutta Pitaka. While some narratives portray his miraculous abilities, others highlight his preference for persuading people through reason rather than relying on supernatural displays of power. For example, when consoling a grieving woman whose child had passed away, the Buddha gently guided her to understand the inevitability of death instead of resurrecting her son. These stories were conveyed in everyday language to ensure easy comprehension.
According to Buddhist philosophy, the world is characterized by impermanence (anicca) and lack of inherent soul (anatta), with suffering (dukkha) being an inherent aspect of human existence. The path to transcend these worldly challenges lies in moderation between extreme asceticism and indulgence. In early Buddhism, the existence of gods held little relevance.
An excerpt from the Sutta Pitaka illustrates the Buddha’s guidance to a wealthy householder named Sigala on how to treat his servants, employees, and others with kindness and care. Additionally, the Buddha advised kings and householders to cultivate ethical conduct and compassion, highlighting the importance of individual effort in transforming social relations. He emphasized individual responsibility and righteous action as the means to break free from the cycle of rebirth and achieve self-realization and nibbana, the extinguishing of ego and desire. According to Buddhist tradition, his parting words to his disciples were to be self-reliant in their pursuit of liberation.
Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings Cultural Developments| Class 12 History Notes
In this chapter, we embark on a journey spanning a millennium to explore the insights of philosophers as they sought to comprehend their world. We will delve into how their ideas were transmitted through oral and written texts, as well as expressed in architectural marvels and sculptures, reflecting the enduring impact of their thoughts on society.
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