Blueprint to Happiness: Buddha’s Teachings

Buddha teaches us that it is most important to train the mind not to dwell in the past or the future and instead live for now. If today we are too worried about tomorrow and tomorrow’s events then today would have just passed us by with no regard. Overall, that is one less day or fewer steps in accomplishing a goal. Buddhism makes us question life and our very existence in it. Were we placed here to understand suffering or to know happiness? Maybe both are included within our journeys. Whichever spectrum we start at or end at the main goal is Nirvana.

           

Dukkha is a concept that refers to craving. It can be eliminated but of course that is easier said than done. Once dukkha is eliminated you have reached the Eightfold Path. However, just before reaching the Eightfold Path the mind goes through a period of searching and through mindfulness and extreme forms of self denial during the stage of the “Middle Path.” Look at this stage as the barrier towards your inner most sacred place in your mind. “We are all addicts in some way is what Buddha would say” said religion scholar Dr. Kuranz. It is overcoming that addictive want and need to see your true self freed from all desires is the goal.

           

There are then three categories within the Eightfold Path: wisdom, ethical conduct, and mental cultivation. Each category has multiple elements within them that need to be reached, which is one’s systematic way out of ignorance. Tranquility and insight are two elements needed to reach Nirvana, which cannot be reached before four more stages of deeper concentration. It may seem like a long cycle of stages but that is because much thought it needed to cancel out all sensations including bliss.

 

“I am your doctor, I have your medicine” said Dr. Kuranz, when she was referring to how Buddha would go about helping others.

 

A funny way indeed in describing Buddha’s approach in persuading others to find happiness, however he had reached a peace of mind and a deeper sense of happiness that no one else was able to reach. He knew the secret and was willing to pass his teachings on to others. Buddha himself said “happiness starts from an understanding of the root causes of suffering” according to the website www.pursuit-of-happiness.org and he had to teach others the importance of understanding that suffering to help them get onto the right path headed for a long journey of discovery.