What I Learnt from Buddhism

In my quest for a religion to follow, I have studied Christianity and Buddhism.

In this post, I would like to talk about what I have learnt from Buddhism.

Buddhism is more a way of life than religion as practised by followers of other faiths. I learn from Buddhism that we are responsible for our every act. In other words, no one else will be able to help you achieve nirvana (eternal bliss) but yourself. According to Buddhism, we cannot free ourselves from suffering because of greed, hatred and delusion. We want more of everything and it leads to disappointment when we fail to get what we want. We get angry easily over minor things and start hating the one who aggravates us. Delusion refers to failure to understand the cause and effect phenomenon.

One way of getting rid of these three ills is through meditation. It makes us less greedy, not so easily angered and realise that there is such a thing as karma. Some monks have done experiments to prove the truth in cause and effect phenomenon. The following are some of the interesting cases:

1 Those who like to suffocate mice will suffer from sinus problems which are connected with breathing. Suffocation means deprivation of breathing, thereby causing death.

2 Those who like to dirty walls in schools or public places have coloured patches on their faces. One the other hand, people who have smooth and feckle-free faces are the ones who always keep their own places and public places clean all the time. I think ladies will like to practise the latter to have very fair complexion.

3 Those who like to hunt will get shot by their friends by chance. There were many cases of hunters being shot by their friends who thought that they were the animals that they wanted to shoot.

4 If we practise dana (giving money or food to monks or the needy), we will be rewarded many folds the money or food given to others.