The 10 most important teachings of Buddha

The Buddha was a philosopher, mediator, spiritual teacher, and religious leader credited as the founder of Buddhism. Born as Siddhartha Gautama in India in 566 BC into an aristocratic family, he renounced the comforts of home at 29 to seek the meaning of suffering he witnessed around him. After six years of arduous yoga training, he abandoned self-mortification and instead sat in mindful meditation beneath the Bodhi tree.

On the full moon of May, with the rising of the morning star, Siddhartha Gautama became the Buddha, the Awakened One. For the next 45 years, he wandered the plains of northeastern India, teaching the path or Dharma he had realized, and developed a community of followers drawn from every tribe and caste, devoted to practicing his path. Today, he is revered by most Buddhist schools as the enlightened one who escaped the cycle of birth and rebirth, transcending karma.

The Core Teachings of the Buddha

Buddha's main teachings focus on his insight into Duca (suffering) and Nirvana (the end of suffering). His influence extends far beyond Asia, impacting people worldwide. Here are 10 life lessons we can learn from the Buddha:

1. Practice the Middle Way

The Buddha taught that the root of suffering is desire. Siddhartha Gautama's reflections on the Four Noble Truths led him to this realization:

• There is suffering.
• The cause of suffering is our desires.
• The solution to suffering is to release ourselves from desires.
• The Noble Eightfold Path leads us to our release from suffering.
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He understood that life is far from perfect and that people often distract themselves from reality through material attachments like wealth, fame, and honor. Having experienced both extreme luxury and asceticism, he realized that neither extreme spared him from desires and suffering. Thus, he advocated for the Middle Way, a balanced life between luxury and extreme poverty.

Practice the Middle Way by freeing yourself from desires, embracing a balanced, sustainable lifestyle, and celebrating the idea of "just enough."

2. Adopt the Right View

According to the Buddha, "Do not get upset with people or situations. Both are powerless without your reaction." He encouraged adopting the right view, becoming more philosophical about our opinions, and being aware of our thoughts. This awareness helps us make better decisions in all aspects of our lives.

Stephen Covey, in his book "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People," calls this the 90/10 rule of life: 10% is what happens to us, and 90% is how we react to it. By choosing our reactions wisely, we can maintain control over our lives and happiness.

3. Create Good Karma

The Buddha stated, "It is mental volition, O monks, that I call karma. Having willed, one acts through body, speech, or mind." In Buddhism, karma refers to actions of one's own volition, which can be relatively good or bad, leading to corresponding outcomes.

Good karma arises from positive attitudes and intentions. Working on our attitudes and intentions in the present shapes our future. The past does not define us, and what we do today can transform our present and future.

4. Live Every Day Like It's Your Last

The Buddha urged, "Ardently do today what must be done. Who knows, tomorrow death comes." Buddhism views life as a cycle of birth and rebirth, aiming for liberation from this cycle. By recognizing the impermanence of life, we can live each day to the fullest, making peace with everyone and doing what must be done today.

5. Great Things Result from Small Good Habits

The Buddha taught, "Drop by drop is the water pot filled. Likewise, the fool gathering it little by little fills himself with evil. Likewise, the wise man gathering it little by little fills himself with good." Small, consistent actions lead to significant outcomes. According to the European Journal of Social Psychology, it takes 18 to 254 days to develop a new habit. Start small and persist in cultivating good habits.

6. Show Your Wisdom in Silence

The Buddha observed, "From the rivers, in clefts and in crevices, those in small channels flow noisily; the great flow silent. Whatever is not full makes noise. Whatever is full is quiet." He believed in speaking only when necessary and with kindness, truth, and endearment. Listening more than talking acknowledges our limited knowledge and allows us to learn from others.

7. If in Conflict, Choose Compassion

The Buddha taught, "Hatred is never appeased by hatred in this world; by non-hatred alone is hatred appeased." Nonviolent action, as exemplified by leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi, can break the cycle of violence and hatred. Responding to conflict with compassion empowers us and defuses further negativity.

8. Choose Friends for Quality Over Quantity

The Buddha said, "Admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie is actually the whole of the holy life." Surrounding ourselves with good, virtuous friends leads us toward the Noble Eightfold Path. Quality friendships support and encourage us to be our best selves, unlike negative influences that lead us astray.

9. Be Generous

The Buddha emphasized, "Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared." Acts of kindness create a ripple effect, spreading positivity and inspiring others. However, it is crucial to take care of ourselves first to sustain our ability to help others.

10. Strive for Enlightenment

The Buddha stated, "You yourself must strive. The Buddhas only point the way." His teachings guide us toward enlightenment, but the effort must come from within. By living according to the Noble Eightfold Path—Right View, Right Resolve, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration—we can achieve liberation from suffering.

Embrace the Path to Enlightenment

The life lessons given to us by Buddha teach us that we, too, can be enlightened. We can transform our lives by adopting these teachings and striving for balance, compassion, and mindfulness. Remember, change starts with us. By taking control of our lives and following the Noble Eightfold Path, we can achieve liberation from suffering and find true peace.

Take the first step today : Reflect on these teachings, integrate them into your daily life, and inspire others with your journey toward enlightenment.

• Right view
• Right Resolve
• Right Speech
• Right Action
• Right Livelihood
• Right Effort
• Right Mindfulness
• Right Concentration

is something we can start cultivating. More by the habits we build, we can always read more research. And we hope together to achieve liberation from the life of suffering or nirvana, that the Buddha guides us too.