Buddha
Buddha is the Enlightened One. He who knows the ultimate truth of the universe. His teachings liberate us human beings from a life in misery. His compassion has brought peace and harmony to the world. Buddhists are people who follow his teachings and thus have found the meaning of life.
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Who is Buddha?
Buddha is the Enlightened One and the father of Buddhism. His teachings liberate us human beings from a life in misery. His compassion has brought peace and harmony to the world.
Buddha was born as a prince named “Siddhartha”. During the celebration of his birth, many Brahmin scholars predicted that the child would either become a great king or a supreme religious leader. But there was one Brahmin, Kondanna, who decisively predicted that Siddhartha would become a Buddha. His father, King Suddhodana, was worried about the prophecy so much that he tried all means to surround the prince with only young people in the pleasant environment so his son would become an emperor.
Prince Siddhartha grew up to excel in all the 18 fields of traditional arts and sciences ranging from politics to philosophy. When he reached the age of 16, his father arranged his marriage to Princess Yasodhara.
The Turning Point
One day, the prince wondered what life was like outside the palace so he made a trip. There, he saw an old man with gloomy face, a diseased man laying with moan, and a dead person surrounded by his tearful family.
He then said, “How can I live a life of pleasure when there’s so much suffering in the world?” Later, when he saw an ascetic in peacefulness, the prince thought this would be the path to end the cycle of the sufferings of birth, aging, sickness, and death. Soon after, the 29 year old prince escaped the palace, abandoning his status, comfort, wealth, and all indulgences in the hope to free his people and his beloved ones from these grievances.
The Middle Path
Siddhartha began his monastic life under the guidance of two famous masters, but they could not find the path to end the suffering either. He began searching the way on his own and starved himself until he was left with only skin and bones.
One evening the angels, disguised as musicians, played a lute in front of him while he was sitting in meditation. Hearing the music, he realized a loose string did not carry sound and a very tight string would break. Only when the strings were neither too loose nor too tight, the music was effect.
He then found the answer was to take a middle path: Siddhartha began eating normally again after six years.
The Reach of Enlightenment
On a full moon day in May, he sat under the Bodhi tree and vowed, “Even if my flesh and blood were to dry up, leaving only skin and bones, I will not leave this place until I find a way to end all sufferings.”Through meditation technique now known as Vipassana, he discovered the Ultimate Truth about himself, life, and the Universe. Siddhartha was finally enlightened and became Gautama Buddha at the age of 35. Buddha taught human to be free from misery and life cycle for 45 years and he reached nirvana(die) at age 80.
The Enlightenment of Buddha is the state of mind which maintain the ultimate equanimity or neutrality, not clinging into positive or negative energy, free from impurity. Buddha discovered the Ultimate Truth that everything is merely an assembly of energy. With this neutrality, he made his mind free from gravity, ending the cycle of rebirth.
The Heart Teachings of Buddha
(1) Refrain from all kind of sins.
The 5 Key Sins in Buddhism is killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, taking alcohol or drugs.
(2) Do good deeds.
(3) Purify your mind.
Five Code of Conduct is a precept that Buddha has left behind for people who are not priests. It is the fundamental life’s principles which, when adhered to,bring about peace and harmony to the society.
The conduct aims at harming no one including self. It is a universal rule, not limited to a particular nation or religion. Buddhism treats the precept as the pre-requisite to become a complete, truly happy person.
The codes include ;
1. No killing – Those who often take lives will either be born unhealthy or die young.
2. No Stealing – People who steal, no matter how rich they are, will eventuality lose their money or possessions one way or another.
3. No Adultery – True love is hard to find or does not even exist for people who are unfaithful because they not only did not cherish their partner’s love, but also ruined it.
4. No lying – Constant liars find it hard to receive respect and trust from others.
This is because they often broke their promises or betrayed other people’s trust
5. No consumption of intoxicating substances – Alcohols and drugs rob consciousness and numb the brain. Heavy drinkers’ brains fail prematurely and sometimes they do not even have to wait until the next life to be mentally retarded.
The precept effectively creates a line between right and wrong. Those violating the conducts are simply heading for trouble, in line with the Law of Cause and Effect.
The Core Teaching of Buddha : Equanimity (Neutrality)
It means the mind is not shaken or attached to happiness, unhappiness and illusion. Whatever comes to the mind, it knows without seasoning into craving and aversion.
The Important Teaching
1. Cause of Misery
Craving and Aversion is the cause of misery because it will develop into Anger and Hatred, Greed, and Illusion which in Buddhism are called “Kilesa” or impurity. The impurity causes attachment to the emotion such as obsession, depression, anxiety. The attachment causes the cycle of rebirth. The ultimate goal of Buddhism is to end the cycle of rebirth, in another word this means to reach the Enlightenment.
2. The Middle Path
Is a life in morality, not extremely addicted to happiness and unhappiness as the addiction eventually leads to depression. When we’re happy or sad, we know it without letting our mind sink into those feelings as we realize things are impermanent. We do not season our feelings into emotions since this will develop into addiction or obsession, leading to attachment.
3. The Four Noble Truths
1. Suffering – To suffer from being born, being old, being sick and dying is common to us all.
2. Cause of suffering – We are the cause of our own suffering.
3. End of suffering – Suffering can happen and also come to an end.
4. Path to end suffering – The way to end it.
4. The Truth of the Universe
1. Nothing is lost in the Universe – Matters turn into energy, energy turns into matter.
2. Things are impermanent
3. Law of Cause and Effect – This law is known as Karma. Nothing ever happens to us unless we deserve it.
The Cycle of Rebirth
Soul or Mind is an energy because it can drive the body which consists of four elements : earth, water, wind, and fire. Energy never disappear it’s only changing form into better or worse condition. When we die, the mind will go to different states of existence such as heaven ,hell, human, or animal.
The transition to a new form of existence depends on the purity of the mind. If we do a good deed, it will be fine energy, If deed was bad, the energy will be coarse. These energies classify themselves naturally, creating the cycle of rebirth to face the truth of suffering (birth, old age, sickness, death). The impure mind cannot get away from the loop of gravity and the magnetic field. But once the mind is free from the impurity, the cycle of birth and death will end.
Meditation
Focus meditation is a mind development which is to intensely focus on something with full attention to a given thing in order for the mind to become sharp and still. Our mind is rarely still, jumping from one thought to another, resulting in lack of focus and clarity.
A mind like that usually lacks willpower and inner peace. Meditation helps us to be more focused, resulting in sharper brain and more productivity in everything we do.
The mindfulness training has 3 ways of practice.
1. By meditation with the key in technique of focus on breathing to use the breath as a tool to train the mind.
2. By concentrating on doing one thing at a time, not letting the mind lose focus, such as not thinking while eating or playing a smart phone.
3. By walking meditation. However there is a high level meditation which aims to reach the enlightenment called Vipassana Meditation based of Four foundation of Mindfulness (Pali -MahaSatipattan) which requires a Vipassana meditation master.
Words by : Master Acharavadee Wongsakon
Learning Meditation
“Spiritual Life & Meditation Teaching”
by Vipassana Master Acharavadee Wongsakon
“Spirit is the most important part of our life. Because if there is no spirit in a body,
the body will be just an object or a corpse. Why not give importance to spirit?…”
Meditation Course by Knowing Buddha Thailand
1. Ana-panasati Meditation – 1 day
2. Ana-panasati Meditation – 3 days 2 nights
3. Vipassana Meditation (insight meditation- High Level) – 7 days 6 nights
the practitioner must pass Ana-panasati meditation course first
All course free of charge
Please see detail at www.bodhidhammayan.org
Dos and Don'ts on Buddha
Dos with regard to Buddha
Once you enter Buddha’s land you will see many temples and Buddha statues both inside and outside the temples or even in residences. Buddhists have the images of Buddha to pay gratitude and to pay respect to with a sacred one and to remind us of his teachings. To know what is appropriate and to whom one should pay respect is a common sense and basic morality.
The world has gone too far in using Buddha images wrongly, with lack of consideration. Please let us provide this summary to help explain how to treat the Buddha image
appropriately. Simple respect will bring good vibration and a harmonious heart for us all.
1. Respect
To pay respect to Buddha doesn’t mean you must be a Buddhist. If you act with respect to a prophet of other religions, you should treat the Buddha the same way as he is worshiped as the spiritual Father of Buddhism.
Respect can be shown by your attitude with the humble mind body language. If you don’t want to pay respect at all at least do not look down on the Buddha.
2. Correctness
If you see a picture, an amulet, or a statue of Buddha in inappropriate places such as on the floor, in a toilet, or on a chair, please help to place it in a proper place up high such as on a shelf or higher.
3. Knowledge
If you are a Buddhist, inform those who have the wish to know about Buddha. If you are not a Buddhist, and someone asks “Who is Buddha?” the simple answer can be, Buddha is the enlightened one who taught Buddhists to do good deeds the same way other prophets do.
Don'ts with regard to Buddha
1. Please do not treat Buddha’s symbols, statues or images badly
If you cannot pay respect to Buddha at least do not treat the image of Buddha badly. Buddhists respect Buddha as the religious father. All leaders of religions are regarded with respect. This should also be applied to Buddha.
2. Please do not place Buddha images in inappropriate objects or places
Buddha images should be placed away from objects of daily use such as handkerchiefs, napkins, towels, rags or cleaning item. Also do not use for the lower part of the body shoes, underwear, skirts including all sorts of toys and furniture etc.
True Buddhists who see a Buddha image placed as objects in inappropriate places will feel very unhappy. This could lead to an anger and widespread conflict.
3. Please do not use Buddha’s name in commercialization or without respect
Such as naming a dog “Buddha” the restaurant named “Buddha Belly” or a bar called “Buddha Bar”.
4. Please do not place images or statues of Buddha as if they are furniture or decoration item.
Buddha symbol and images is not furniture or decoration,they are to be revered. Devoted Buddhists will know this. But there are many people who are aware of their own disrespectful acts. We must improve awareness of what is right and wrong.
You might wonder why there are merchants even in some Buddhist countries who treat Buddha statues or images without respect and sell them like decoration items. That is a reflection of human nature. In every society there are good and bad people. Bad people don’t care about anything except their own benefit: but the true Buddhist will feel ashamed of that.
PLEASE HELP STOP DISRESPECTING BUDDHA
Buddha is the spiritual father to more than 500 million Buddhists around the world. His images and statues are not meant to be used for decoration or as tattoo under any circumstances. Those who create the object with Buddha images intend to inspire people to think of Buddha.
If you feel that Buddha images help you feel peace and harmony, please place the Buddha statue properly with respect, by placing the statue or image, at a high level from the floor and not use his symbols as decoration.
1. Our body is considered dirty
Buddha was a person who was clean from the inside out. His mind is free from illusion and impurities. He is respected by all Buddhists around the world. Our body and mind still need to be cleaned. If we don’t wash our body even for a day, it stinks badly. Someone once said that he had the Buddha tattoo on his body because he loved the Buddha and wanted to stay close to him. This idea is not proper and a misunderstanding. The best way to stay close to him is to follow his teaching. These are the appropriate ways to show your love and respect to Buddha.
2. We don't practice sexual abstinence
To tattoo his image on a body that still indulges in sexual acts is considered a serious lack of respect.
3. The Buddha statue needs to be placed in a proper place.
Always put the Buddha statue in a high place, way above the head as a respectful act to him. To put the symbol in a low position or to tattoo him on the body is thus very inappropriate.
"Do they really have to do this ?"
FAQS
What or who is Buddha ?
Buddha is the Enlightened One who taught his followers, the Buddhists, to do good deeds and how to be free from misery.
What are Buddha's teachings ?
Buddha taught us to realize the 4 Noble Truths, which are
1. Misery
2. The cause of misery
3. The cessation of misery
4. The path of how to end the misery
What is the difference between Buddha and Jesus Christ or Mohamed ?
All religions teach us to be kind and have compassion. But Buddha also taught us how to break through the circle of misery which consists of being born, being old, being sick, dying, facing the ever changing nature of life and all things.
What is the core of Buddha's teachings ?
1. Refrain from all kind of sins.
2. Do good deeds.
3. Purify your mind.
How can you purify the mind ? And why is the mind considered dirty ?
The mind is considered dirty or impure because human beings always react with emotions such as anger, hatred, desire, craving and aversion. These emotions only make the mind unhappy.
A purified mind looks clean and feels good.
In order to purify the mind Buddha taught us to stop reacting emotionally. It means to just acknowledge without reacting, which requires a certain knowledge. This knowledge can be reached by the Vipasana Meditation.
Why does Buddha's image always look so peaceful and harmonious ?
Because his mind is free from anger, hatred, craving and aversion. He defined such emotions as the cause of misery. And since he is free from them he has a calm heart and is compassionate, which is reflected in his image.
Knowing Buddha Foundation
“Not Only We Protect Buddhism.
But we awaken the morality of mankind.”
– Master Acharavadee Wongsakon
We speak out to protect Buddhism by giving correct knowledge on proper treatments to Buddha images and symbols. In recent years, Buddha images and statues have been used as “Buddhist Art” for decorations – such as furniture, rather than as a remembrance of his compassion with respect and gratitude.
KBO was founded by Vipassana Master Acharavadee Wongsakon in 2012, comprising of a new generation of Buddhists who follow Buddha’s teachings through vigorous training and practice of Vipassana meditation. The changes within themselves have resulted in immeasurable gratitude to the Buddha. With determination to reverse the growth of misguided knowledge and end the lack of respect to the Enlightened One, we strive to bring back the core of Buddha’s teachings with the intention of reviving the religion’s status as the “Religion of Awakening” as the name “Buddhism” suggests.
Vipassana Master Acharavadee Wongsakon
President of Knowing Buddha
Vipassana Master Acharavadee Wongsakon is the founder and president of Knowing Buddha Organization (KBO), a non-profit organization with a mission to protect Buddha’s images and symbols from disrespectful acts and revive the sense of gratitude in Buddha’s teachings.
Her inspiration came many years ago when she came upon the Buddha Bar in Paris and was shocked to see a huge Buddha statue placed in the middle of the dance floor, surrounded by disco balls, cigarette, and alcohol. Devastated and depressed from what she’d seen, she made a resolution in front of the bar that she would one day protect his honor as the prophet of Buddhism.
The commercialization of Buddha images and Buddhism symbols have been spreading fast in the past decades, following rising popularity the use of exotic and Asian artifacts in architecture, leading to deterioration of the religion and its essence. There was no organization that works on this issue directly and seriously until the arrival of KBO in 2012.
Earlier, Master Acharavadee was a well-known businesswoman and owner of a jewelly company with several awards including “Boss of the Year 2005” and also a serious meditator who had already devoted much of her life to Buddhism. She started “The School of Life Foundation” in 2004, with an aim to strengthen morality in children and adults through Dhamma principles laid out by the Buddha. Her goal is to ensure that young children grow up to be responsible and good citizens with public mind, not influenced by materialism and social vibes. All courses are free of charge. The School of Life Foundation ranks among the best top 5 Dhamma Schools by a Thai leading magazine in Amarin Group, a publishing house.
Through her work, Master Acharavadee is determined to bring back the core of Buddha’s teachings with the intention of reviving the religion’s status as the “Religion of Awakening” as the name “Buddhism” suggests.
Support Us
How do we spend your donation?
Since 2014 KBO has been funded entirely through public contribution. Our major goals are to educate, protect and stop disrectful actions toward Buddha image. Our activities include:
- Campaigns on giant billboards in areas with heavy tourist traffic, e.g. the gateway to Bangkok city inbound from Suvarnabhumi Airport, the Phuket International Airport, and the Chiang Mai Airport.
- Distributions of various print materials to cultivate and raise awareness on proper treatment of Buddhist symbols and images i.e. 5000s magazine (printed every 2 months), knowledge boards placed in key temples throughout the country, brochures.
- Campaigns on various medias i.e. short-film video campaigns, campaigns on social network and websites.
- Annual Dhamma walk campaigns to raise awareness in key touristic markets such as Jatujak weekend market, Kao-sarn road.
- Annual exhibitions on important auspicious Buddhist days in main tourist attractions several times a year.
Donation Information
Transfer your donation to Knowing Buddha Foundation
Kasikorn Bank account number 003-2-79877-4
To Donate to Knowing Buddha Foundation, please send your donation transfer slip to
Email: info@knowingbuddha.org
Tel: 02-117-4063