Gautama Buddha's teachings and their importance in today's perspective

Buddha’s teaching is contemporary in today’s perspective. The humanist, intellectual and populist hypotheses of Buddhism are relevant even in today’s date.

Gautama Buddha’s First Teachings

After attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, Gautama Buddha gave his first sermon (buddha teachings in Hindi) at Sarnath – a major Buddhist pilgrimage located 10 km northeast of Varanasi. It is also called “Dharma Chakra Enforcement”.

This place was where the propagation of Buddhism started. Buddha gave his first sermon to five of his followers who came in contact with the Buddha while seeking truth.

He was also an ascetic, and at that time, Buddha started austerities with him.

But later, Buddha did not benefit from austerity, so he mentioned the disciplines. Upon hearing this, they parted their ways from Buddha. However, when Buddha reached Sarnath after attaining knowledge, those five became his disciples, and Lord Buddha gave him the first sermon.

Last Sermon of Gautam Buddha – App Deepo Bhava

Though all the teachings and thoughts of Gautama Buddha have their importance, his last sermon is meaningful and very relevant in today’s time. The Buddha preached ‘App Deepo Bhava’ (Be your lamp) at the last moment.

During his last moments, Lord Buddha was with his beloved disciple Anand. His other disciple named Bhadrak also came upon hearing the news; he sat outside the hut knowing Lord Buddha’s state and weeping.

When Buddha heard Bhadrak’s cry, he asked Anand and told him to send Bhadrak. Bhadrak fell on his feet and wept as soon as he reached Buddha.

When Buddha asked why was he crying, Bhadrak said, “when you are not with us, who will guide us? Who will lead us from darkness to light.”

Listening to his words, Buddha smiled and touched his hand to his head and said, “May you be Deepo!”

He told Bhadrak that the light of knowledge is within you, do not seek it out. Those who try to search ignorant public knowledge by wandering in pilgrimages, devasthanams or caves, nothing seems to be in their hands except despair. He said that the soul of those who practice meditation, by being exclusive of mind, speech and action, leads to knowledge.

Relevance of Buddha’s Teachings

Talking about the teachings and messages of Gautama Buddha, they are as relevant and contemporary as they were then. His messages convey the importance of humanism and brotherhood. His medium way message is also applicable in today’s time.

Here the discussion cannot be complete without discussing the last sermon of the Buddha. The last sermon of Lord Buddha was App Deepo Bhava, that is, become your lamp. You should choose what is right and for you in your life. Do not take the advice of others. This principle of Lord Buddha forces a person to become a person. Apart from this, his middle way theory is also prominent.

His theory emphasizes rationality, not conservatism. That is, you can walk on a better path to improving your perspective. Today, people are full of desires, and people want everything. There is no end to desires and no start to satisfaction.

Buddha insisted on the development of virtues from the beginning. He used to ask his disciples to follow the same behaviour. Today, people are looking at killing each other, which is happening due to a lack of virtues. There is no happiness nor peace in today’s time

The octagonal path of Lord Buddha is also very contemporary. Similarly, there are many such views of Gautam Buddha, which are relevant even in today’s perspective, and by taking it into our lives, we can cross the sorrows to Bhavsagar.

Teachings of Lord Buddha- Buddhist scripture Pitaka-Tripitaka

We know about the Vedas-Puranas. These are the major scriptures of the Hindus. Similarly, the place of Pitaka is also essential in Buddhism. It is worth noting that all the sermons Buddha gave were oral, and Buddha never wrote them. His disciples wrote the teachings of Lord Buddha. After registering, they used to keep them in boxes and hence they are called Pitaka. There are three Pitakas, called Tripitakas. These are Vinay Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka and Abhidhamma Pitaka. Let’s go ahead and read about it.

Vinay Pitak

Vinay Pitak has the rules for monk sangha which monks and nuns should follow in daily life.

Abhidhamma Pitak

If you know about the Brahmin scripture of the Vedas, you would understand that the Abhidhamma Pitaka is the same in Pitakas. It closely analyzes religion and its activities.

What is Dhammapada

The Dhammapada Sutta is a part of the carved body of Pitaka. It has 26 waggons and 423 verses. If you want to understand Buddhism, then Dhammapada is enough.

Gautama Buddha Principles

• A person who lives life wisely does not have to fear death.
• Just like one moment can change the whole day, one life can change this entire world in the same way.
• Ignorant man is like a bull. He grows in size, not in intelligence.
• He who has achieved the truth has a calm mind.
• Do not feed on anger because you only burn in it.
• In moments of darkness, look for the light. The fire of jealousy and hate burns happiness.
• Must focus your mind on the present moment.
• A mistake in recognizing the true nature of religion can lead you to the door of hell.
• Becoming a parent is an enjoyable experience.
• Develop goodness to stay away from evils.
• Health should be good to keep the mind strong and clean.
• Bad act is like having a burden in your mind.
• He who loves others has many reasons to be happy.
• Do not look at the faults and mistakes of others, but see your actions.
• I never see what has happened; I only see what is left to do.
• Habit of doubt is the most dangerous. It not only separates people but also spoils the relationship.
• Bondage and desires are the roots of all sorrows.
• Real happiness is not in receiving everything but in giving.
• It is better to walk alone than to travel with fools.
• Every day is a new day. You can always make a fresh start.
• If you do not appreciate what you have, you will never get happiness.
• Develop goodness to stay away from evils.
• The person who remains happy, a small amount of happiness always stays with him.
• The tongue is like a sharp knife, which kills without drawing blood.

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