Buddhist principles in modern life
Modern Buddhists all over the world refer to the Three Jewels (also called the TriratnaThe three essential components of Buddhism: the Buddha, the Dhamma/Dharma (the teachings of the Buddha) and the Sangha (the Buddhist monastic communities).) to help them to live their lives. The Three Jewels are the BuddhaThe founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama, after his enlightenment. It is a title which means the enlightened or awakened one., the Dhamma (Dharma)Dhamma is Buddhist doctrine about the nature of existence and includes the teachings of the Buddha. (teachings) and the SanghaThe Buddhist community of people who practice the faith, usually used to mean the community of monks and nuns. (community).
The Dhamma includes many sets of teachings, such as the The Five Precepts In Buddhist teachings, the Five Precepts are five guidelines for living to help achieve positive karma. and the 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.. Modern Buddhists learn from these ancient teachings.
Skilful and unskilful actions
Skilful is another way of saying 鈥榬ight鈥. The Eightfold Path (magga) suggests that 鈥榬ight鈥 action and 鈥榬ight鈥 thoughts are ways of acting skilfully. This is based on the idea that positive thoughts and actions are deliberate and require skill. A 鈥榬ight鈥 action may be harder to do than a selfish or lazy action, which is why it takes skill, effort, energy and determination.
In contrast, unskilful thoughts and actions are influenced by desire, greed, hatred or anger. These feelings are inevitable, but Buddhists try to turn unskilful thoughts and actions into skilful ones. Recognising the difference between the two and working to develop 鈥榬ight鈥 thoughts and actions takes skill.
Buddhists use teachings from the Dhamma, such as the Five Moral Precepts, to help them to act more skilfully. They try to cultivate thoughts and actions influenced by harmlessness, compassion and wisdom. However, the Five Moral Precepts are not commandments and there is no punishment for not following them.
Internalising skilful actions
Due to the interconnectedness of all life, nothing occurs that is not dependent on or influenced by something else. This is the teaching of dependent origination. Buddhists work to internalise skilful or right attitudes so they become part of their daily outlook and behaviour. According to the law of dependent origination, skilful actions, driven by compassion and wisdom, will give rise to further goodness and wisdom. In this way, positive karma (or kamma)Actions, and the consequences of actions. An important concept in Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism. is accrued, leading to a more favourable rebirth in the cycle of samsaraIn Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism, this is the cycle of life, death and rebirth..
Buddhists try to develop four virtues:
- loving kindness (metta)
- compassion (karuna)
- joy in others鈥 happiness (mudita)
- serenity (upekkha)
These virtues are refined through meditationThinking quietly as a spiritual or religious exercise. Connection of the mind and soul with the Divine using breathing and other techniques. In Buddhism, using one of a set of techniques or exercises for calming the mind, developing positive emotions and understanding the way things are. and practice in daily life. Action is not enough without understanding 鈥 meditation and study are necessary to realise the true nature of existence. This in turn supports Buddhists鈥 ethical development. Understanding the truth of anattaThe belief that human beings have no permanent personal self or soul. (or no self), for example, helps Buddhists to overcome selfish feelings and be more compassionate.
The Middle Way
The term 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. was first used in the Dhammacakkappavattana SuttaThe Setting in Motion of the Wheel of the Dhamma (Dharma) Sutta. It is a Buddhist text that records the first teaching given by the Buddha after he attained enlightenment.. In this sutta, the Buddha describes the magga, or Eightfold Path, as the 鈥榤iddle way鈥 between extremes of indulgence and self-punishment. Siddhartha Gautama himself, before he became the Buddha, caused himself to suffer through hunger in an effort to understand suffering. Many other holy men would punish their bodies to overcome their physical desires. In contrast, the Middle Way calls for moderation and balance.
Buddhist ethics in modern life
Buddhists try to achieve six paramitaParamita means 鈥榩erfection鈥. Buddhists aim to develop the Six Perfections of character and other attributes.聽, also called the Six Perfections. The second of the six paramitas is sila, or morality. Sila requires awareness and intention in ethical behaviour. It can be described as an internal ethical compass. Sila is about a person's own ethical understanding and commitment, rather than following ethical rules obediently.
A modern Buddhist perspective on killing
Modern Buddhists believe that they should develop harmlessness and compassion, and the first of the Five Moral Precepts suggests that Buddhists should avoid taking life. This might mean that a modern Buddhist chooses not to earn their livelihood in a way that benefits from killing, such as working as a butcher or manufacturing weapons. It might also involve avoiding aggressive thoughts, such as hatred, even towards people who are cruel or violent. Additionally, Buddhist monks and nuns must not kill rats or other animals seen as vermin.
Although Buddhism generally encourages vegetarianA person who does not eat meat, especially for ethical or religious reasons. and pacifismOpposition to war and violence; belief that conflict should be resolved through peaceful, non-violent means such as negotiation., throughout history there have been Buddhist warrior monks, such as in medieval Japan, and Buddhist rulers have had armies. Force is justified if it protects the innocent or is the lesser of two evils. Some Buddhists eat meat if it is served to them, rather than cause upset or offence.
Buddhism provides a path to liberation from the pain of samsara, using a set of teachings as guidance and a worldwide community of friends and teachers. However, Buddhists must interpret the Dhamma and its wisdom in their own context and for their own circumstances.