Background
Buddhism is a widespread religion and philosophy with its peculiarities in understanding and principles. Dharmachakra, or “drachma wheel,” as well as the “wheel of the law,” is a symbol of the teachings of the Buddha depicted as a wheel with five, six, or eight spokes (Rodrigues, 2020). The hub, namely the center of the wheel, symbolizes a luminous point of consciousness that radiates spiritual light and eight spokes.
It was formulated following the “Noble Eightfold Path,” or eight noble principles, which is the essence of the Buddha’s teachings. These principles are right view, thinking, speech, behavior, living, effort, awareness, and proper contemplation. Following these principles contributes to achieving peace and happiness, understanding one’s problems, and getting rid of suffering.
Today, this symbol is used by Buddhists as a method of teaching the basic principles of the religion. The wheel helps to effectively visualize the fundamental aspects of religion and explain their meaning. In addition, this symbol has practical significance for the followers of Buddhism. Namely, it is the symbol in prayer, among other symbols, that can be used. However, the main symbol in prayer is the statue of Buddha, whose teachings are used to achieve happiness.
In addition, the wheel of Dharma can be used as an external symbol of religion and worn as a talisman. The Buddha’s teachings show the Path from where we are to full enlightenment, which may be achieved by following the main points of the wheel of Dharma (Rodrigues, 2020). Moreover, Buddhism denotes the names of religions, while Buddha distinguishes the title of a being who has attained supreme enlightenment.
Life of Siddhartha Gautama
Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) was a spiritual teacher in India in the 6th and 5th centuries BC who led an ascetic life and was considered an enlightened being. Siddhartha Gautama became the founder of modern Buddhism, helping everyone to get to nirvana and peace of mind by getting rid of ignorance, passing healing torments, and reborn the spirit (Rodrigues, 2020). Gautama concluded that wealth and power do not protect a person from external influences. The teacher realized that only the Path of self-realization is suitable for the salvation of the soul, which is the only way to learn about the nature of torment and achieve a state of calm and freedom from suffering. It articulates the influence the teacher had on Buddhism, namely, a new way of understanding.
The key event was the escape from the palace, after which Gautama realized his new meaning of life. At the age of 29, Siddhartha left his family, abandoned his wealth, and set off on a journey to find a way to get rid of worldly torment (Voorst, 2019). Gautama left the palace with his servant Channa, who helped him escape unnoticed.
Having nothing of his wealth, the prince began to practice austerity, begging like an ordinary beggar. Upon learning of Shakyamuni’s journey, Bimbisara, the ruler of Magadha, offered Prince Gautama a place on the throne. It was the second key event, and Siddhartha did not take power and promised to visit the lord upon reaching enlightenment.
After 49 days of vows on the full moon of May, Gautama attained enlightenment, the third key event. After that, people began to call him by different names, one of which was Shakyamuni, which is translated from Sanskrit as “Sage from the Shakya clan.” Siddhartha concluded that human suffering is born in ignorance so that anyone can come to an awakening. Nowadays, Buddhists commemorate these events in terms of their main goals, namely nirvana, enlightenment, and renunciation of desires.
Beliefs and Practices
The Four Noble Truths
The Four Noble Truths are the basis of understanding the life and philosophy of Buddhism, through which one can achieve the main goals. The First Noble Truth states that the fundamental characteristic of human existence is dukkha, that is, suffering and frustration (Rodrigues, 2020). Disappointment is rooted in our unwillingness to acknowledge that everything around us is not eternal but transient.
The Second Noble Truth explains the cause of suffering, which is formulated by Trishna, or “clinging” or “attachment” (Voorst, 2019). It is a mindless affection for life that springs from ignorance, called avidya by the Buddhists. According to the Third Noble Truth, suffering and frustration can be ended. One can leave the vicious cycle of samsara, free oneself from the bonds of karma, and reach the state of complete liberation, namely nirvana.
The Eightfold Path
The Fourth Noble Truth points out the remedy for suffering by calling for the Eightfold Path of Self-cultivation, which leads to Buddhahood. The first two steps on this Path involve the right vision and true knowledge, therefore, a correct understanding of human life. Four more steps relate to the right action and describe the rules that a Buddhist must follow. They include the rules of the Middle Way, which is equidistant from opposite extremes. The last two steps lead to the right awareness and proper meditation, along with the direct mystical perception of reality, which is the ultimate and highest goal of the Path.
The Eightfold Path, along with the four truths, also forms the basis of Buddhism, namely the understanding of life and philosophy. Thus, proper understanding formulates an awareness of the four truths, their basic principles and objectives, and why one should adhere to them. In addition, understanding includes the belief that everything has a just cause and a correct view of the world around us (Rodrigues, 2020). Right thought, primarily, means the ability not to succumb to one’s desires and to control one’s thinking.
Moreover, it includes the ability to overcome the craving for wrong things and not harm the people around. Right speech, as the name suggests, articulates using the right words and avoiding those that have a negative connotation in terms of communication. More precisely, it means not to deceive, not to idle talk, not to use bad words, and not to be hypocritical. Finally, right conduct includes avoiding murder, theft, and adultery.
Further, the right way of life includes avoiding a shameful method of living, which provides for dishonorable deeds. Moreover, one should adhere to spiritual purity and good thoughts every day, that is, adhere to the proper lifestyle (Voorst, 2019). Right effort, first of all, means putting in the correct amount of action on the way to one’s goal. That is, avoiding dishonest or evil deeds as a way to achieve one’s aim or obstruct the lives of others.
Secondly, it includes setting the right goals, namely, those that do not formulate the wrong aspects. Furthermore, correct mindfulness articulates deliberation in one’s actions, that is, calculation and thinking about one’s life processes. Finally, the right concentration means inner contemplation with the aim of setting the proper goals and enlightening the mind.
References
Rodrigues, Hillary. 2020. Buddhism: Understanding Our Religious World. Robinest.
Voorst, Robert. 2019. World Religions: Introduction to World Religions. 4th ed. Cengage Learning.