2023, Vol. 9, Issue 5, Part A

One of the unforgettable religious reformers born in the world in 6th century BC was Goutam Buddha. Historians called him the greatest child of the epoch and the greatest gift of India. We know that Buddha propagated Bodhigyan for the welfare of human beings in the world. His preaching evoked overwhelming response from people. The main purpose of his first religious message was to elaborate truth. He thought that human beings needed to get rid of ignorance, lust and addiction. Hence his religious preaching is known as Dharmachakraparbaratnasutra. It includes four important aspects of life namely cause of sorrow, universal awakening (samuday), prevention of rebirth (nirodh) and the way of prevention of rebirth (nirodhmarga). These are known as four Arya satta or greatest truths. According to him, life is sorrowful and joy and sorrow are short-lived. He also pointed out four reasons of sorrow namely rebirth, senility, disease and death. Prevention of rebirth brings an end to sorrow. So prevention of rebirth is Nirvana. For the realization of four greatest truths or Arya satya, one needs to follow and practice Ashtangikmarga. Among Ashtangikmarga, the most important ones are speaking truth (sabakya), doing good (sakarya) and honest living (sajibika). According to Buddha, these factors regulate human body and mind. Besides, good thinking, good sense and consciousness also regulate mind. Human beings gain wisdom (Pragya) through strong determination and enlightened vision. In Buddhist religion, good manners (Sil), heart (Chitta) and wisdom (Pragya) have specific meaning. In Binay Pitak, Sil stands for morality. The man with strong morality is a real Brahmachary. According to Satta Pitak and Abhidharma Pitak, Chitta regulates mind. According to Satta Pitak, Pragya helps one to know the self. Another religious message of Buddha emphasizes that the five elements, which constitute human life namely body, sense, feeling, different states of mind and consciousness, are devoid of soul therefore they bring sorrow. In the opinion of Buddha, consciousness is the cause of sorrow and Ignorance creates thirst. Nirvana is not related to religious sacrifice (Yagna) or worship. Buddhist belief emphasizes that every human being needs to be Atmadeep. Human beings must be healthy and free from disease. This article has focused on this aspect of Buddhism.