Change and peace - The philosophy of Buddha

The founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha, his life, doctrine, and influence on the present day

As his name suggests, Shakyamuni (Siddhartha Gautama), the founder of Buddhism, is a great man who laid the foundation for a global spiritual culture. From the 5th to 6th centuries BC, Buddha was born as a member of the royal family in Lumbini, an ancient India, and from his childhood he lived a life without any problems.

However, as we grow older, we begin to see the reality of human inevitable suffering: aging, illness and death, and begin to have deep questions. This thought later led him to become a monk and became a driving force behind the changes in the spiritual history of mankind.

The life of Buddha was a journey that deeply explored the universal human theme of "absoluteness" and its meaning. Following in his footsteps will give us some hints to look inside us and lead a richer life.

Birth and childhood, a blessed environment and mental conflict

The birth of Buddha was a moment of great joy and anticipation for King Suddhana, the king of the Shaka tribe, and his wife, Madam Maya. However, Maya died just seven days after the birth of Shakyamuni, and after that, Shakyamuni was raised by her aunt, Maha Prajapati. The loss of losing a loved one from the beginning of his life could have had a profound impact on Shakyamuni's view on life.

From a young age, his intelligence was outstanding, and he received royal education and training in martial arts and academic studies in a blessed environment for both physical and mental health. However, on the other hand, there was always a deep sense of emptiness in the mind of Buddha, which cannot be fulfilled by his royal role or material wealth alone. He could not find the essential human happiness in the glamorous life around him and the struggle for power.

Deciding to become a monk and abandoning a peaceful life

One day, at the age of 29, Shakyamuni decides to abandon all the ideal living environment his father had prepared and become a monk. Behind this resolve was the inevitable "suffers" of life: deep questions about life, old age, illness, and death. He sought the answer to why humans must suffer and how they can be freed from the suffering, and he gave up a peaceful life.

After becoming a monk, Shakyamuni visited many religious and philosophers and tried various practices and meditation methods, but was unable to find the fundamental answer he wanted. He also challenged the ascetic penance that was mainstream in India at the time, but realizes that it also does not bring true peace of mind.

Enlightenment and birth as a Buddha

The Buddha realizes that years of penance are not necessarily paths that lead to truth, and enters his own meditation. At the age of 35, he entered deep meditation under the Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya and finally reached enlightenment. At this moment, Buddha became an entity called the Buddha (the awakened), and he fully understood the roots of human suffering and its solution.

Enlightened, Buddha continued to preach teachings for over 40 years. His teachings were called "dharma" and led many people to peace of mind, freeing them from their suffering. Shakyamuni's disciples compiled his teachings and formed a religious system called Buddhism, which later spread throughout the world.

The Doctrine of Buddha: The Road to Liberation from Suffering

The heart of Shakyamuni's teachings is to understand human suffering and its causes and demonstrate how to overcome them. His teachings can be said to be a practical philosophical system that helps us understand and overcome the fundamental pains of mankind.

The structure of the four resignations and suffering

One of the teachings that forms the basis of Buddhism is the Four Truths. This refers to the four truths: suffering (resignation of pain), the cause of suffering (resignation of suffering), the exhaustion of suffering (resignation of death), and the path that destroys suffering (resignation of pain).

The truth is that there is suffering in life. There are many different forms of suffering, not only the inevitable suffering of life, old age, illness and death, but also the fact that we are parting with our loved ones and the unfulfilled desires.

The truth is that the cause of suffering is obsession and desire. We suffer because we are obsessed with things and pursue our desires.

Destiny: The truth is that suffering will disappear by separating from attachment and desire. As long as there is suffering, there is always a way to destroy it.

A path to destroying suffering. Shakyamuni showed us a specific practice called the Eightfold Way.

Eightfold Path: Practices to destroy suffering

"Eightfold Way" refers to eight practices: correct understanding (right view), correct thinking (right thinking), correct language (right wording), correct actions (right work), correct life (right destiny), correct effort (right effort), correct attention (right thought), and correct meditation (right definite). These are concrete ways in which we can be free from suffering and achieve true happiness.

To correctly understand the truth of the Four Truths.

Shoshi Yui: Having the right idea and abandoning your attachments and desires.

Do not use words that hurt people, such as shogo, lies, or slanderous words.

Do not do bad things such as shogo, killing or stealing.

Faithful: Don't pursue unfair occupations that lie or deceive others.

Shoshojin: To strive to do good things and to avoid doing bad things.

Shonen: Focus on this moment and not be bound by the past or future.

Shojo: To calm the mind and improve concentration through meditation.

Impermanence, selflessness, and release from attachment

At the heart of Shakyamuni's teachings are two important ideas: "impermanence of all things" and "selflessness." "Impermanence of all things" is the truth that everything in this world is constantly changing, and there is no lasting thing. On the other hand, "selflessness" is the idea that humans think of as a "fixed self" is an illusion, and that the true self is fluid.

These teachings show that we can cause suffering by obsessing with something specific object or overestimating ourselves. Understanding impermanence reduces the fear of losing, and understanding selflessness allows us to be free from self-centered thinking.

Influence on modern times and universal wisdom

Due to its practical and universal value, the teachings of Buddha are incredibly useful even in modern society, which has been over 2,500 years. In today's society where stress and anxiety are prevalent, understanding of impermanence and selflessness brings peace and peace to many people.

In search of meditation, mindfulness, peace of mind

In particular, the meditation techniques taught by Buddha have become popular in modern times as "mindfulness" and are used as conscious habits in everyday life. Mindfulness refers to a state of mind where you concentrate your consciousness at this moment and observe your thoughts and emotions without judging.

Vipassana meditation is practiced by many people as a technique for observing the sensations that occur at this moment as they are. This meditation method also contributes to stress management, emotional control, and deeper self-understanding, and is also highly regarded for improving mental health.

Psychology and Buddhism and the quest for the mind

In recent years, the commonalities between Buddhism and psychology have been attracting attention. In particular, the "sense of community" and "overcoming inferiority" emphasized by Adlerian psychology are deeply connected to the teachings of Shakyamuni's mercy and selflessness. Furthermore, through its integration with neuroscience, Shakyamuni's teachings have been reinterpreted in a modern context, attracting attention as evidence-based stress relief methods and approaches to pursuing happiness.

Impact on culture and penetration into modern society

For over 2000 years after that, Buddha's teachings served as a cultural and spiritual pillar throughout the world. It can be said to be more than just a religious story, but also a universal guide to the spiritual evolution of humanity as a whole. Furthermore, in manga, films, and literary works, Shakyamuni's ideas are repeatedly referred to and influenced even in modern culture.

For example, Tezuka Osamu's manga, Buddha, skillfully depicts the life of Buddha and helps to spread his teachings in an accessible way. In addition, in various films and novels, the teachings of Buddha are featured as an important theme, giving people deep emotion and inspiration.

What Buddha left behind and heritage to humanity

The teachings left behind by Buddha have continued to support the hearts of people all over the world, over the past 2,500 years. His teachings are not limited to a particular religion or culture, but have universal value for humanity as a whole. Buddha is a philosopher and psychologist, and can be said to be an entity that deeply explores the essence of humanity.

The teachings of Buddha, in particular the ideas of "impermanence" and "selflessness," provide important hints for reducing the suffering and anxiety we face in modern society and for living a more fulfilling life. By incorporating the wisdom of Shakyamuni in our daily lives, we will open the way for deeper self-understanding and peace of mind.

In conclusion: Make use of Shakyamuni's wisdom in modern times

The teachings of Buddha are universal across eras and borders, and show people how to live their lives to overcome their suffering. Shakyamuni was not merely a religious person, but a great leader who had a deep understanding of the underlying causes of human suffering and demonstrated practical ways to overcome it. His teachings will bring us peace of mind and deep insight and become a compass to lead a more fulfilling life.

By practicing the teachings of Buddha in our daily lives and regaining the tranquility of our minds through meditation, we will be able to build a happier and more peaceful world. Even in modern society, Shakyamuni's teachings should serve as an important guide for each and every one of us to look at ourselves and grow.

Shokey Hayashi

Exorcist/Radionics Technique Researcher

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Born in Aomori Prefecture in 1965, he has been suffering from troubles, illnesses and injuries caused by spiritual phenomena since childhood. However, one day, when he was 20 years old, he attended an event, had a mysterious experience at the venue, and was hit by lightning energy from the heavens, as if piercing the spinal cord from his brain, and his psychic abilities blossomed. He then began studying psychology and psychiatry, and now he has combined psychiatry and consciousness engineering. Established "Radionics exorcism" using our own radionics techniques. "It's possible to treat your fortune" beyond exorcism, memorial service, and healing.