Buddha was originally named Siddhartha Gautama and was a spiritual teacher and the founder of Buddhism. He was born in Lumbini, what is now in Nepal. He was a prince who left his royal life to seek the truth about suffering and the human condition. After years of meditation and self-discipline, he attained wisdom and understanding under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India. From then on, he is known as "Buddha", meaning "the Enlightened One".
Buddha's teachings are known as the Dharma (the Noble Eightfold Path). These teachings provide guidance on how to live a life free from suffering and achieve Nirvana, a state of ultimate peace and liberation.
Let us learn about Gautama Buddha's teachings and try to follow them and include them in our daily lives.
1. Control your mind
Buddha taught us that if you keep your mind from greed, it will help you keep your behaviour right, your mind pure and your words faithful. If you are able to resist greed and anger, then you will be able to avoid all evils and negative influences. According to Gautama Buddha's teachings, if you find your mind tempted towards greed, you must suppress and control the temptation; be the master of your own mind.
2. Respect each other
Buddha says that you should stop yourself from arguing and fighting; you should not repel each other like water and oil but should mingle together, like milk and water. Whether you are studying, learning, playing or working together you should do it with respect for each other. Gautama Buddha's teachings tell us that you should not waste your mind and time in idleness and quarrelling.
3. Development of the spirit of social service
Buddha said, “Your suffering is my suffering and your happiness is my happiness”. This means he cared deeply about everyone. Buddha made four big promises. These promises were an indication of the love and compassion.
Gautama Buddha's teachings teach us that we should also follow the path of compassion by helping each other, being happy with what you have, learning new things and working for others and not only for yourselves.
4. Avoid wrongdoing
Buddha taught us to avoid hurting anyone, to avoid stealing and to avoid abusing others. He wished that all beings had calm minds and tried to live in peace with others. Children you should avoid idle talk and try to be kind and peaceful.
5. Live Happily
“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,” said Buddha. According to Gautama Buddha's teachings, we all should live life happily for ourselves and for others. He taught us the importance of sharing happiness. Children, you should also do the same, spread happiness around your surroundings, work for the happiness of others and live life joyfully.
6. Every action has a reaction
Buddha taught that our actions (good or bad) have effects on us. Gautama Buddha's teaching implies that if you do good things, good things will come to you in the future and so vice-a-versa. Therefore children, always try to do positive things and follow the above five guidelines we talked about to create good outcomes.
7. End of sufferings
Gautama Buddha's teachings taught us that to stop suffering, one must follow the Noble Eightfold Path. They are:
Children, following these paths, helps you put an end to your pains and sufferings of life.
8. Path to Wisdom
Buddha taught us that nothing is permanent, the mind and body keep changing and can never come to an end. According to Gautama Buddha's teachings, a wise man, seeing and hearing such truth, should break away from any attachment to body or mind, if he is ever to attain wisdom. Understanding this help us let go of things and learn to live wisely.
Children by following Buddha’s teachings, we can learn to be kind, live happily, and make the world a better place. Remember, every good deed you do helps spread happiness and peace.
Watch and Sing along: Our superhit Gita Song for kids
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