The founder of
Buddhism was Buddha Shakyamuni who lived and taught in India some two and
a half thousand years ago. Since then millions of people around the world
have followed the pure spiritual path he revealed. The Buddhist way of
life of peace, loving kindness and wisdom is just as relevant today as it
was in ancient India. Buddha explained that all our problems and suffering
arise from confused and negative states of mind, and that all our
happiness and good fortune arise from peaceful and positive states of
mind. He taught methods for gradually overcoming our negative minds such
as anger, jealousy and ignorance, and developing our positive minds such
as love, compassion and wisdom. Through this we will come to experience
lasting peace and happiness. These methods work for anyone, in any
country, in any age. Once we have gained experience of them for ourselves
we can pass them on to others so they too can enjoy the same benefits.
Meditation is at the heart of the Buddhist way of life. It is basically a
method for understanding and working on our own mind. We first learn to
identify our different negative mental states known as 'delusions', and
learn how to develop peaceful and positive mental states or 'virtuous
minds'.
Then in meditation we overcome our delusions by becoming familiar with
virtuous minds. Out of meditation we try to maintain the virtuous minds we
have developed and use our wisdom to solve the problems of daily life. As
our mind becomes more positive our actions become more constructive, and
our experience of life becomes more satisfying and beneficial to others.
Anyone can learn basic meditation techniques and experience great
benefits, but to progress beyond basic meditation requires faith in the
Three Jewels - Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. Usually people find this
develops naturally as they experience the benefits of their meditation
practice.
The teachings of Buddha reveal a step by step path to lasting happiness.
By following this path anyone can gradually transform his or her mind from
its present confused and self-centered state into the blissful mind of a
Buddha.
Having attained enlightenment we shall have all the necessary qualities -
universal love and compassion, omniscient wisdom and boundless spiritual
power - to lead all living beings to the same exalted state. This is the
ultimate aim of Mahayana Buddhism.
To learn about
Buddhism you can go to the following links or perform your own research:
http://www.aboutbuddhism.org
http://www.buddhism.org
http://www.buddhanet.net
