Buddha allowed criticism also on his teaching Researched by- Myoma Myint Kywe

Buddha allowed criticism also on his teaching

Researched by- Myoma Myint Kywe

 ဦးျမင့္ၾကြယ္ ( ၿမိဳ ႔မ ျမင့္ၾကြယ္ ) 

The Lord Buddha was the founder of Buddhism, began his life as a prince in Nepal. The word "Buddha" can be defined as "the Enlightened One", or "the Awakened One".

Buddhism is a religion to about 1,600 million people around the world. The word comes from 'BUDHI', 'to awaken'. It has its origins over 2,600 years ago when Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, was himself awakened (enlightened) at the age of 35.

The Lord Buddha was born in 623 B.C. in a country called Kapilavatthu in Nepal. Born in the noble Sakya clan, he was named Siddhattha Gotama.

At the age of 29, B.C 594, he left his palace quietly in search of the truth. He had studied under ascetic teachers, and tried various methods of self-mortification, but to no avail. He learnt later that extremes (of indulgence versus torture) are not going to work out. After searching for 6 years, for 6 year Gautama strived as a hermit, at the age of 35, B.C 588, one day, he sought shelter under a tree, and through intense meditation that he finally attained Enlightenment, and sees things as they really are. Henceforth, he is known as the Lord Buddha. The tree under which the Buddha gained Enlightenment has since been known as the Bodhi Tree. The Lord Gautama Buddha gained a flash of insight that he felt gave him an answer to the problem of suffering. He began to share with other the meaning of His enlightenment since B.C 588.

The Lord Buddha and his disciples travelled vast areas (on foot) throughout India to expound the Dhamma, helping lots of suffering people along the way. His relentless effort lasted for 45 years. The Buddha spent 45 years the four Noble Truth and the Noble Eightfold Path. The Buddha passed into Parinibbana (or passed away in simplified layman's term) at the ripe old age of 80, B.C 543. When Buddha died, his physical death is defined as Parinibbana.

Known as the Buddha or Enlightened One, Gautama Buddha taught that people can escape the circle of rebirth by eliminating desire and by following rules of behaviour, the Eightfold Path. Since Lord Buddha's death, B.C 543, Buddhism has become one of the world's great religions.

 

To many, Buddhism goes beyond religion and is more of a philosophy or 'way of life'. It is a philosophy of way of life because Buddha’s basic philosophy 'means love of wisdom' and the Buddhist path can be summed up as:

(1) to lead a moral life,
(2) to be mindful and aware of thoughts and actions, and
(3) to develop wisdom, TRUTH, and understanding.

Buddhist does not take refuge in the Buddha with the belief that He (Buddha) is as a God or son of God or prophet of God. The Buddha never claimed any divinity.

The Buddha taught many things, but the basic concepts in Buddhism can be summed up by the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path.

He (Buddha) was the Enlightened One, the most Compassionate, Wise, and Holy One who ever lived in this world. Therefore, people take refuge in the Buddha as a supreme greatest TEACHER or MASTER who has shown the real path of emancipation. Buddhism depends more on understanding than faith.  They pay homage to Him to show their gratitude and respect, but they do not ask for material favors.

In other religions, the people worship their god by asking for favours to be granted to them. Buddhists do not worship the Buddha by asking for worldly favours, but they respect Him for His supreme achievement.

Buddha allowed Critical Thinking in his teaching since BC 588.

The Kalama Sutta (Sutra) is a famous text, popularly described as Buddha’s “charter of free inquiry.” It has been used “for advocating prudence by the use of sound logical reasoning arguments and the dialectic principles for inquiries in the practice that relates to the discipline of seeking truth, wisdom and knowledge whether it is religious or not. In short, the Kālāma Sutta is opposed to blind faith, dogmatism and belief spawned from specious reasoning.”

Gautama Buddha gives advice on how seekers should respond when they are confronted by diversity of views concerning the path to enlightenment and spiritual fulfillment, of Gautama. Lord Buddha advocates a questioning, inquiring spirit, refusing to accept anything simply based on invoking an authority. Buddhism may be called the Religion of Analysis.

Modern teachers of Buddhism often cite the Kalama Sutta to show that Buddhism is a rational and critical teaching for understanding the nature of life and spiritual liberation from the bondage of ego and suffering in its many forms. It aims at seeing things as they truly are basic principle of Buddhism and its goal.

A famous Buddhist teacher in meditation Mr. S.N. Goenka describes teachings of Buddha as a 'pure science of mind and matter'. He claims Buddhism uses precise, analytical philosophical and psychological terminology and reasoning.