Winds Of Aquarius - The Way of The Buddha

Gautama Buddha's Way

A Basic Background

We cherish the Buddha's Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path because one can quickly come to understand the Highest Virtues and Values to apply in one's life. We add here only the top pearls of Buddhism. Do not mistake this writing for the richness, the history, and the practical application of one of the World's Major Religions.

Born of Royalty, Gautama left his confining palace of riches to find the reason for mankind's suffering, unhappiness and disease. He spent many years searching for the answers. Finally, he decided to subject himself to a 40-day fast and meditation...resolving to stay in that state until the answer should come to him. When Gautama attained Enlightenment, it is said he saw all of his 2000 lives. It was this major shift in view of the Soul's Journey and Rebirth which clarified and explained why people found themselves in the dilemma of "Suffering." He attained Enlightenment at the end of his sacrificial meditation. An Enlightened Soul is one who has entered into a Realm of Divine Perception and Truth.

When contemplating teaching his Experience, Gautama had decided that he would be silent about it all. He was skeptical that what he "saw" could even be taught.

But then, moved by his great compassion, he set forth to formulate a Teaching that most people could come to practice easily, if they so desired. Full of wisdom and keeness of mind and heart, the Buddha gave to the world what is, even today, a means by which to identify the conditions of "suffering," to eliminate them permanently, and reach Enlightenment.

When questioned by a monk as to why he left out the answers to metaphysical questions about Self, God, Soul, Reincarnation or Eternal Life, etc., the Buddha answered that those questions were beside the point...! The textbooks have this story which illustrates what he meant. It goes like this. ...Take a man who is wounded with a poisonous arrow. Imagine his asking where the arrow came from, what was it made from, and what type of poison was used...why was he shot, etc. Well, the man would die before he got the whole truth to his inquiry.

People's need to eliminate the conditions for suffering was as urgent a matter as the poisoned wound. Between "Suffering" and "Enlightenment" are many steps and many metaphysical questions, in other words, but by the time people tried to understand them all, their suffering will have taken its toll upon them. They needed a path that would address their immediate causes for the "suffering."

The Path of Gautama Buddha

The Four Noble Truths

1. Right View - the accurate (earnest and honest) view of the nature of man's reality or state of existence is suffering.

2. Right Livelihood - this suffering comes about when livelihood is tainted with greed, possessiveness and selfishness.

3. Right Effort - in order to root out the conditions above, individuals must raise their level of consciousness and choose discipline, learning and overcoming.

4. Right Mindfulness - the application of the Eightfold Path will assist in uprooting the thoughts, words, deeds and actions that will lead out of suffering into a happier state of mind and heart and to an eventual Enlightenment.

The Eightfold Path

[We have elaborated on each of the Axioms]

Buddha's formula (requirements) for a happy and healthy living is below. This will stop the lower human cravings from deforming consciousness. And, let us remember that it is the human consciouness with its vices that keeps us unhappy.

The Axioms below do not need to be practiced one at a time...they are designed to be practiced simultaneously.

1. Right View - Analyze the nature of one's own suffering. See and understand clearly what is wrong or ill in oneself. Another way to think about this is to analyze what is making one unhappy - then state it as coming from oneself and not outside of oneself.

2. Right Purpose/Intent - Analyze what conditions give rise to wrong purpose, intent or desire. Decide to heal. Decide to learn all that is needed to heal what Gautama termed the "grasping" - the attachment to, or the desire to do and have, wrong purpose, wrong desires or wrong intentions. Develop compassion for yourself and for others who know not the "Why" of these tendencies...at least for the moment.

3. Right Speech - Words have creative power, speak as if you would be cured of suffering. Speak well of oneself, others, situations and things. Tell the truth, speak kindly, say only what is necessary.

4. Right Action - All actions should reflect well-being of oneself and good-will toward others. Develop compassion. Behave and carry oneself as if healed of all wrongs.

5. Right Vocation - Earn a living that does not conflict with the Formula.

6. Right Effort - Develop a strong Will and resolve to apply this Path. Read "right materials." Listen to "right lectures, tapes, music." Learn "right prayer." Eat "right/pure foods." Make new friends who embody a Right Effort; they are striving to raise their standards by seeking to learn how, and are selective with what they take in or give out.

7. Right Awareness/Mindfulness - Be aware of self at all levels. Tune in to the body, the mind, the heart, the Soul. Think, see, hear, choose purity and correctness in all one does. See oneself within the Spiritual Path climbing up a step at a time. Compare one day to another...adjust accordingly and continuously.

8. Right Meditation or Transcendence - go into the Heart, and there commune with the Fount of Knowledge, Love and Wisdom. Meditate on the depths of existence. Come to the point of knowing your Divine Heritage.

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* The picture of Gautama Buddha above is the property of The Summit Lighthouse, Summit University Press, and Church Universal and Triumphant. It is hereby noted that this picture and any other materials of TSL, SUP, and CUT are Copyright(C) and used by permission.

* The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path can be studied in any good book on Asian Religions or on Buddhism. The Truths above were taken from: "The Indian Way" by John M. Koller.