Since Buddhism's philosophy
can be difficult to understand, it can be interpreted in various ways.
Wat
Pak Nam Alumni Association (PAA) studies and practises Lord Buddha's
preachings at Wat Pak Nam, Bangkok, Thailand. As a result, we understand
that in Nirvana, there is not just only one Lord Buddha but there are billions
and trillions of Buddhas. The path to Nirvana starts when one wishes or
sets a goal to be a Lord Buddha (Buddha Poom). Then they need to
cultivate good or prestiges for billions and trillions of life times (life
cycles) until their mind reaches a certain level.
At that point they can
meet the Lord Buddha on earth and receive a Buddha prediction that they
can be "The Enlightening One" or Lord Buddha in the future, where they
will become a Pra Podhisat. Then they need to cultivate
good or prestiges(Baramee) repeatedly for billions and trillions
of life times. He or she has cultivated prestiges
Baramee or goodness
up to the highest level (Paramati) until they succeed in completely
purifying their mind and become an "Enlightened One".
Lord Buddha's Teaching
As Buddha states, "All living things (creatures) must follow their fate or destiny, as the trail must follow the cart. Whether good or bad they must face the results of what they have done." This is the "Law of Causation". The facts is, today's action is the result of yesterday's past actions, and will determine the future actions or the destiny of tomorrow. This is the Law or nature for every one not only Buddhist.
Our current Lord Buddha was Prince Sitdhartha, who was born on the 15th (full moon) of the sixth month (generally, the first month of Lunar year is in December). He became enlightened by the name Pra Sumana Kodhama, reached Nirvana and passed away on the full moon 15th of the sixth month. This day is known as Wisaka Bucha day.
Lord Buddha's first preachings "The Fourth Noble Trust" (Ariya Sath 4) explain the meaning of Dhuka (sadness), Samuhatai (the cause of sadness), Niroj (how to eliminate sadness) and Muka (the eight ways to cultivate good or prestiges to reach Nirvana).
The Eight Ways (Muka)
1. Right idea (Samma Tidhi)
2. Right initiation (Samma
Sangapa)
3. Right speech (Samma
Waja)
4. Right achievement (Samma
Kammanta)
5. Right perseverance (Samma
Wayama)
6. Right profession (Samma
Archewa)
7. Right caution (Samma
Sati)
8. Right meditation (Samma
Samadhi)
Summary of Lord Buddha's Teachings
Lord Buddha's preaching consists of 84,000 articles that form the Pra Tripidok which is separated into three sections: Pra Vinai (Sila or Precepts), Pra Sutun (Preachings) and Pra Abidhum (The great preachings that describe about the mind in detail).
As a result of "The Fourth Noble Trust", the Eight Ways (Muka) can also be concluded into three sections: The Precepts (Sila), Meditation (Samadhi) and Intellect (Panya).
The Precepts (Sila)
There are 5 precepts for a normal person, 8 precepts for the practitioner, 10 precepts for the novice Buddhist priest age under 20 years (Samanen) and 227 precepts for the Buddhist priest.
Pancha Sila - 5 precepts
1. I observe, refraining from
killing any living being,
2. I observe, refraining
from taking what does the owner not given,
3. I observe, refraining
from committing
sexual misconduct,
4. I observe, refraining
from telling lies,
5. I observe, refraining
from taking any intoxicant or drug
U Bosodta Sila - 8 precepts
1. I observe, refraining from
killing any living being,
2. I observe, refraining
from taking what does the owner not given,
3. I observe, refraining
from committing
sexual intercourse,
4. I observe, refraining
from telling lies,
5. I observe, refraining
from taking any intoxicant or drug.
6. I observe, refraining
from eating after midday until sun rise,
7. I observe, refraining
from enjoy watching entertainment and use cologne or make up,
8. I observe, refraining
from sleeping on a thick cushion.
Precepts or Sila can purify and lift our mind to a higher level as well as eliminating the rough passions from one's mind.
Meditation (Samadhi)
Meditation is the way to cultivate one's mind. Generally we live every day under the control of our mind, or our mind bosses us to do things it likes, even to be a slave to "destiny". To control our mind is the hardest thing to achieve in life, and meditation helps us to achieve that.
Meditation is to focus our mind on one object. Before we start meditation, we should close our "Ayatana". Ayatana refers to the six senses which enable us to make sense of our surroundings: the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body and mind. These can cause us to have feelings or emotions that leads us to our fate which is the "law of causation". If we close our Ayatana, we will free ourselves and can choose our course or destiny. Usually we let our mind lead our life, but if we can control our mind we can lead ourselves, because happiness and sadness are created in the mind.
There are 40 ways to practise meditation in Buddhism. Read Luang Paw Wat Pak Nam for more details.
Intellect (Panya)
Intellect is the final state
and hardest part of the way to practise and understand how to be an "Enlightened
One", who can enter Nirvana with an absolutely pure mind and can stay there
forever or Eternity. The method of Intellect is Wipatsana,
which follows after one succeeds in meditation and can understand how to
practise it. The Wipatsana in Buddhism consists of 32 ways.
In conclusion Lord Buddha was one who was enlightened by himself and can teach everyone how to practise and understand how to be an "Enlightened One" and reach Nirvana. It is not a magic or a miracle, but a natural way of life. We have been born in a peaceful world and we should gain value of our life and make this world more peaceful and happiness to ourself and to everyones.
For more details, please contact Wat Pak Nam.
Wipatsana
building, Wat Pak Nam,
Pak
Klong, Parsrijarean District,
Bangkok
10160, Thailand.
Phone:
(66) 02 457 4001
The Wipatsana building Wat Pak Nam
is open to public for daily meditation practices from 6pm-7pm;
and during the weekends and Thai government
holidays from 10am-11am, 1pm-2pm, and 6pm-7pm,
free of charge.
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