RELEVANCE OF BUDDHIST TEACHINGS IN CONTEMPORARY TIMES

 

RELEVANCE OF BUDDHIST TEACHINGS INCONTEMPORARY TIMES

“A man is not called wise because he talks and talks again; but if he is peaceful, loving and fearless then he is in truth called wise.” – The Dhammapada

The upcoming full moon on 26th May, the moth of Vaisakh according to the Hindu calendar, shall mark the 2583rd birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha who was born in the – century as prince Sidharth Gautam who later became the greatest spiritual leader and messenger of God mankind ever witnessed.

As the contemporary world battles myriad of social ills, accompanied by a gruesome pandemic, each individual finds him/herself battling some or the other kind of inner conflict. During such dark times, it’s the teachings of the great leader that serve as enlightenment leading to a calmer, happier self as well as a more prosperous and a less corrupt society.

Lord Buddha emphasized four noble truths to mankind. He said that the world is full of suffering. All sufferings have a cause: desire, ignorance and attachment are the causes of suffering. The suffering could be removed by destroying its cause. In order to end suffering, one must know the right path. The truth of suffering (Dukkha) 2. The truth of the origin of suffering (Samudaya) 3. The truth of the cessation of suffering (Nirodha) 4. The truth of the path to the cessation of suffering (Magga)


The Buddha was one of those who were very conscious of the many effects of hatred. He had seen people ruining themselves as a result of hatred. Buddha believed that hatred never ceases by hatred. To the Buddha the only way to solve it is that one party must stop. Loving-kindness, which is the cornerstone of Buddhism, along with Compassion (karuna), Sympathetic Joy (mudita), Equanimity (upekkha) provides the answer to all conflicts shaping in a social world.

In today's increasingly complex and interdependent world, we have to acknowledge the existence of other cultures, different ethnic groups and of course other religious faiths. Gautam Buddha's teachings of non-violence and belief in the oneness of humanity, contending that many of the world's problems and conflicts arise because man has left those basic tenets behind. Thus, Buddha's message of non-violence, love and compassion is "extremely relevant" in the current environment of insecurity and unrest.

Today in scientifically and technologically developed age, though there are many amenities, for easy living and pleasure, people are both physically and mentally not satisfied and do not have a feeling of security. Meditation techniques like Vipassana, Yoga can help us to connect with our inner selves. These techniques are an effective way to cleanse our mind and body and equip us to face the stress of modern life.

Buddhism has an application today because of its timeless relevance, emanating from a set of eternal values.

Compiled by Hetika Kathuria

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