The founder of this school is supposed to be Gautama Buddha who was born in 563 BCE at Lumbini in the foothills of Nepal. He underwent life-altering experiences and by the age of 29 he renounced the world to go on a search for the truth of life. He is said to have found salvation while meditating under a pipal tree in Bodhgaya. From then until his death at the age of 80, he spent his life travelling and helping people find salvation and freedom from the trappings of this life. It is after his death that his disciples called a council at Rajagriha where the main teachings of Buddhism were codified. These were:
Name of the Disciple who writes it Buddhas’ Pitakas
Upali Vinaya Pitaka (Rules of order for Buddhists)
Ananda Sutta Pitaka (Buddha’s sermons and doctrines)
Mahakashyap Abhidhamma Pitaka (Buddhist philosophy)
According to Buddhist philosophy, the traditional teachings imbibed in the Vedas might not be useful for humans to achieve salvation and one should not trust them blindly. Following his experiences in life, Buddha realised that the world is full of misery and every human being should try to seek liberation through the realisation of four noble truths.
First, there is suffering in human life, which is reflected in the form of sickness, pain and subsequent death. Even the circle of life and death is full of pain. Separation from one’s beloved also brings pain to humans. Second, the fundamental cause of all the suffering is desire. Third, he advises man to destroy the passions, desires and love for materialistic things that govern his life. The destruction of these passions, attachments, jealousy, sorrow, doubt and ego would lead to the end of sorrow and pain from the life of human beings.
This will lead to the state of complete peace and nirvana. Finally, from the constant suffering and pessimism that dominates the life of an individual, one has to move towards liberation and optimism. Buddhist philosophy argues that the way to liberation (nirvana) is through an eight-fold path. This path is as follows:
Right Vision: This path ensures that human beings remove ignorance from their vision. One should envision the relationship between oneself and the world to be nonpermanent and hence we should try to achieve salvation and move out of the cycle of rebirth.
Right, Resolve: Through this path, one has to develop a strong will-power to destroy the desires, passions and ill thoughts that would harm oneself and others. One should cultivate sacrifice, sympathy and kindness towards others.
Right Speech: This is related to the preceding path to control one’s speech through cultivating right speech. One should not say ill words to others and not criticise anyone.
Right Conduct: One should try to stay away from all activities that harm life. A man should start to move away from the desire for materialistic things.
Right Means of Livelihood: This path advises man to ensure that they do not use any unfair means to earn their livelihood. They should not indulge in fraud, theft or bribery.
Right effort: Man should make an effort to avoid bad feelings and impressions. They should not only try to avoid negative thoughts but keep away thoughts of sensual or sexual nature. Anything that distracts a person from their path to salvation should be avoided.
Right Mindfulness: One has to keep one’s body, mind and health in the correct form. When the body is not in its right form one experiences bad thoughts, which leads to wrong actions and eventual pain.
Right Concentration: If any human being would follow the above-mentioned seven paths, he would be able to concentrate rightly and properly and achieve salvation or nirvana.