Key teachings that Buddhists consider
The First Noble Truth 鈥 dukkha
Dukkha is one of the Four Noble TruthsThe truths discovered by the Buddha during his enlightenment.. These are teachings that are fundamental to Buddhism.
Dukkha refers to the 鈥榮uffering鈥 or 鈥榰nsatisfactoriness鈥 of life. The belief is that dukkha is caused by greed and craving, also known as tanha or 'thirst'.
Buddhism teaches that people in MEDCMore economically developed country (MEDC). This type of country is wealthier or has higher standards of health and education than many other countries. should be satisfied with what they have and help LEDCLess economically developed country (LEDC) has low levels of development, based on economic indicators, such as gross domestic product (the country's income). to have basic necessities in life, so that they can live without suffering.
The BuddhaThe founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama, after his enlightenment. It is a title which means the enlightened or awakened one. reflected this teaching in his life. He had realised that his life of luxury would not enable him to understand the truth he was seeking. However, when he joined the asceticSomeone who deprives themselves of basic needs in order to reach a spiritual goal, eg an ascetic might deprive him/herself of food. and experienced periods of extreme self-denial, even to the point of starvation, he realised that this did not work either.
It was only when he began to live the Middle WayAlso known as the Eightfold Path, in Buddhism the Middle Way represents the state between living a life of self-indulgence and one of denial. It is the ideal way to live. that he was able to achieve enlightenmentThe realisation of the truth about life. In Buddhism it releases a person from the cycle of rebirth.. This became one of the Four Noble Truths.
The middle way
Buddhism teaches that it is this middle way between denial and self-indulgence that can help someone reach enlightenment. Approximately 20 per cent of the world's population consumes 80 per cent of its resources. Buddhism teaches that if people live in a moderate way, just like the Buddha did when he lived the middle way, this inequality will be reduced and the problems of poverty could be avoided.
The Five Precepts
The first of the Five PreceptsFive moral principles that are observed by Buddhists. teaches that living things should not be harmed.
The belief is that Buddhists should:
- act with compassion and loving-kindness to all people in an effort to avoid harm
- help those experiencing suffering due to poverty
The second Precept teaches that people should not take what is not theirs.
The belief is that:
- everyone across the world is inter-relatednessWhere things have a mutual connection and affect each other. and interdependentCountries which rely upon each other to trade goods and services.
- if Buddhists remember this, they should be compassionate to everyone because they are all part of the same community
Noble Eightfold Path
Many Buddhists believe that if they follow the Noble Eightfold PathBuddhist practises that can lead to the end of suffering and the cycle of rebirth: right views, right thinking, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right meditation., they can achieve freedom from suffering. Part of following this path is to act with the right actionBuddhists should always try to conduct themselves in a morally good way, usually understood as practising the precepts.. This means acting with compassion and love, eg giving aid to those who are suffering.
Householders, there are five benefits that accrue to a man who performs meritorious acts and practices morality. The first benefit is that he acquires his wealth by honest means.