Buddhism is one of the major religion of the world and it has been estimated that there are almost 350-500 million Buddhist followers in the world. Though the religion is most popular in Asia but it’s followers are found all over the globe. This religion is founded by Gautama Buddha (Siddhartha) and this religion encompasses large number of traditions, practices and faiths. The Buddhism beliefs are mostly based upon the teachings of Gautama Buddha. So, some of the basic Buddhism Beliefs are -
1) Gautama Buddha is no God at all – It was believed in this religion that Gautama Buddha was an ordinary man who was living in Nepal(now) some 2,500 years ago. He had different vision towards the life and because of this he had gone over common man views, concepts and beliefs. It is not a do or die condition for every Buddhist to follow the rules set by Buddha and they can find their own wisdom towards life.
2) Think before believe – Buddhists don’t need to believe what they read or listen from others, instead it is believed that every person should test each and everything with his own conscience and then only trust the things.
3) Celestial Bodies or Gods are the result of culture – In Buddhism beliefs it is also considered that Gods are due to one’s culture and they are conceptual only. But it doesn’t mean that the religion favors atheism. In fact it enlightens more on the true meaning towards spiritual practices.
4) The life’s ambition – In Buddhism beliefs it is firmly believed that to end the sufferings of humans as well as animals should be the sole motive of one’s life and this should be the only true ambition of life.
5) Your this life doings decide your afterlife – Reincarnation(rebirth) is believed in almost all the major religions and Buddhists believe that if you commit wrong and atrocious behavior then you have to suffer in your upcoming rebirths. But you can overcome from this if you can educate and meditate yourself in order to escape from the life’s cycle. This whole process is known as Nirvana.
6) Believe on Great Teachers – Buddhism beliefs lie heavily on the teachings of great teachers and it is always recommended to read important books and to listen good teachers.
7) Meditation leads to success – Without maintaining complete harmony and peace in the mind and body, no one can see beyond the life. So meditation is very essential thing in finding the path to Nirvana. It should be practiced on regular basis in life. It is also believed that it increases the inner power and conscience of humans.
Heal your wounds through the mind – Buddhism beliefs consider that most of the problems are only due to internal thinking of a man. So, if you want better health and mind then try to relax your mind. It will heal your wounds completely. Meditation and prayers help in achieving the same.
9) Believe in yourself – It depends upon you that how you build your life. One should believe in himself/herself and try not to lose the hope. It is only you who can make your life better and end the sufferings.
10) Bodies are valuable – Taking birth as a human is the most precious gift and you should not waste your life in doing outrageous things. Give some meaning to your life as the human life is very precious. Try to keep yourself healthy and strong. It is further believed that human bodies are the most divine thing on this earth. So, maintain this valuable thing from the core of your heart.
11) Trust your spiritual community – There is no need to go to any holy place or shrine to meditate and learn Buddhism beliefs. But it is always beneficial to remain in the touch of your spiritual community as it can provide you with more deeper understanding of the life. Your life can be more meaningful and delightful in the touch of your spiritual community.
12) Everything is interconnected – This is amongst one of the major and most reverenced Buddhism beliefs that everything in this world is interconnected. Nothing has individual existence. Every human, animal, thing and even physical laws are interconnected. Nothing can survive alone and emptiness(individual existence) is not permanent.
13) Always try to be good – It is your Karma or doing that finally effects your living. If you do good with others then you will get good things in return but if your deeds go wrong then it ultimately harms you. Five principles need to be followed for healthy and prosperous living. These five doctrines are –
a) Never tell a lie.
b) Never deceive anyone.
c) Never hurt or kill any one.
d) Do not hurt anyone sexually.
e) Try not to accommodate toxic thinking into your mind.
14) Be Benevolent Always – Benevolence is always beneficial for humans. Being kind and compassionate not only increases the power of our mind and body but it also gives more wiser look towards the life. You can achieve more wisdom and better meaning of human behavior.
15) Motivation and attachment is more important than the sex – In Buddhism beliefs, act of sex is less important and more important thing is with whom you perform it. Its your attachment and situation that lead you in that act.
16) Aim for Evenness – Always try to remain even in all the situations, showing human emotions like laughter, sadness, anger, etc. is not good. Calm nature let you achieve almost everything silently in the most appropriate way. So, always look for balance in your life.
17) Start at any stage of the life – According to Buddhism beliefs, you can achieve Nirvana at any stage of life and it is said that the process of understanding is very fast. But some Buddhist schools have different thinking and they believe that it can take several lives.
Besides these beliefs there are numerous other assumptions in the Buddhist religion and all are equally important. After all, it totally depends upon you that how you take your life. Prayers and meditations can only play a part in purifying your soul.
