Buddha is translated as "awakened", "enlightened". So can name any person who has reached "a state of spiritual perfection". Buddhist cosmology mentions a large number of such creatures, but the most famous representative was Gautama-Buddha.
Who is the Buddha and his philosophy?
If you turn to the basic ideas of Buddhism - one of the three world religions, you can understand that the Buddha is not a god. It is a teacher who is able to bring sentient beings out of samsara - the cycle of birth and death in worlds that are limited by karma. The first who reached enlightenment and saw the world as it is was Siddhartha Gautama. He was the first, but not the last. Religion itself is rather a doctrine that relies not on faith, but on knowledge and their practical use. Everyone can repeat the Buddha's path without even possessing any original faith. The main thing you need to believe in a Buddhist is the law, that every cause has an effect, and everything else can be sorted out with reflection and logic, as well as with your own experience.
However, Buddhism is characterized by many signs of religion: temples, rituals, prayers, ministers. There are concepts that can not be verified from the point of view of science, for example, the resurrection of the Buddha. In Buddhism there is no such thing, but there is reincarnation . That is, the awakened person passes to the higher stage. In addition to meditations in Buddhist practice, mantras, prostrations, mandalas are used. And different schools practice different rituals: in some, emphasis is placed on working with the body, and in others on improving the spirit.
The eighth path of the Buddha
There is such a thing as the eightfold path of the Buddha. This is the path that the Buddha points out and leads to the cessation of suffering and liberation from samsara. This way consists of the following eight rules:
- Wisdom that includes the right view. It consists of four noble truths - suffering, desire, nirvana and the cessation of suffering - the eightfold path. Comprehending them, you can move on to other positions of the teachings, surviving them internally and realizing.
- The right intention. This is also part of the wisdom, which involves cultivating the metta - kindness towards all living things.
- Morality, including correct speech. A true Buddha ceases to lie, speak indecent and abusive words, dissolve rumors and slander, talk foolishness and obscenity.
- Morality also includes correct behavior. A Buddhist can not be a thief, a murderer. He does not lie, does not drink alcohol and does not lead a dissolute life. In addition, ordained persons are given a vow of celibacy.
- Morality is the right way of life . First of all, the Buddhist refuses from professions that cause suffering to other living beings. The slave trade and prostitution are included in the list of prohibited goods, trade and manufacturing of weapons, production of meat, trade and manufacture of drugs and alcohol, fortune telling, fraud.
- Spiritual discipline, including the right effort. This means that one should strive for joy, peace and tranquility. Concentrate on self-awareness, effort, concentration, discrimination of dharmas.
- Spiritual discipline is also the right dent, which is achieved through the practice of smrti and sati. They help to realize your own body, sensations, mind and mental objects, thereby eliminating negative states of consciousness.
- Spiritual discipline also consists of the right concentration. This is deep meditation or dhyana. It helps to achieve ultimate contemplation and to be free.