Knowing Buddha

What or Who is Buddha?

The world knows that Buddha is the Enlightened One. He who knows the ultimate truth of the universe. His teachings liberate us human beings from a life in misery. His compassion has brought peace and harmony to the world. Buddhists are people who follow his teachings and thus have found the meaning of life.

Frequently asked questions:

Q: What or who is Buddha? A: Buddha is the Enlightened One who taught his followers, the Buddhists, to do good deeds and how to be free from misery. Q: What are Buddhas teachings? A: Buddha taught us to realize the 4 Noble Truths, which are misery, the cause of misery, the cessation of misery and the path of how to end the misery. Q: What is the difference between Buddha and Jesus Christ or Mohamed? A: All religions teach us to be kind and have compassion. But Buddha also taught us how to break through the circle of misery which consists of being born, being old, being sick, dying, facing the ever changing nature of life and all things. Q: Why does Buddhas image always look so peaceful and harmonious? A: Because his mind is free from anger, hatred, craving and aversion. He defined such emotions as the cause of misery. And since he is free from them he has a calm heart and is compassionate, which is reflected in his image. Q: What is the core of Buddhas teachings? A 1 Refrain from all kind of sins. 2. Do good deeds. 3. Purify your mind. Q: How can you purify the mind? And why is the mind considered dirty? A: The mind is considered dirty or impure because human beings always react with emotions such as anger, hatred, desire, craving and aversion. These emotions only make the mind unhappy. A purified mind looks clean and feels good. In order to purify the mind Buddha taught us to stop reacting emotionally. It means to just acknowledge without reacting, which requires a certain knowledge. This knowledge can be

reached by the VipasanaMeditation.

Dos and Don'ts on Buddha

We often find that Buddha is not treated with respect. Many people over look the feelings of billions of Buddhists around the world.

Why is the image of Buddha so important?

When Buddha was still alive he never asked his followers to make statues or worship him in images. Instead he taught us to not have any attachment to anything not even himself. Buddha said that the best way to worship him was to follow his teachings. And that after he passed away, after his Nippana or Nirvana, his teachings would take his place. 100 years later some of his followers wondered how Buddha looked. They prayed to an angel who used to meet Buddha. Then the angel appeared in Buddhas image, and so the first Buddha statues were created. Since then Buddha statues have become a key element for most Buddhists around the world are reminded of his compassion, kindness and his teachings and feel the highest regard for him.

Some show respect, others behave with ignorance.

This summary might help you understand how you (should) can treat Buddhas images appropriately.

Dos with regard to Buddha

1. Respect
Pay respect with body and/ or mind. To pay respect to Buddha doesnt mean one has to be a Buddhist. If one behaves with respect towards the father of a friend, one should treat Buddha likewise, for he is worshipped as the enlightened father. Body language respect can be shown by Wai ( show picture) Respect of the mind can be shown by your attitude. If you dont want to pay respect at all at least do not look down on Buddha.

2. Correctness
If you see a picture, amulet or statue of Buddha in inappropriate places such as a walk way floor, in a toilet, or on a chair, please help to place it in a proper place up high, such as on a shelf or higher.

3. Knowledge

If you are a Buddhist inform those who have the wish to know about Buddha. If you are not a Buddhist, just give the person who might ask Who is Buddha? The simple answer that Buddha is the Enlightened One who taught the Buddhists to do good deeds the same way God does.

Donts with regard to Buddha.

1. Do not treat Buddha badly. If you can not pay respect to Buddha at least do not treat the image of Buddha badly. Nobody should look down on or treat badly someone 's father. Buddhists respect Buddha as the religious father. All leaders of religions are regarded with respect. This should also be applied to Buddha. 2. Do not place Buddha images in inappropriate objects or places, away form objects of daily use such as handkerchiefs, napkins, towels, rags or cleaning item . Also do

not

use for the lower part of the body shoes, underwear,skirts toys and furniture etc.

including

all sorts of

True Buddhists who see a Buddha image placed with objects as mentioned will feel very unhappy and may become subject to conflict arising from such situations.

3. Do not place images or statues of Buddha as if they were furniture or decorative objects.
For example dont place a Buddha statue in the middle of a table. Dont place a Buddha statue in the toilet. Dont place Buddha statues in bars or restaurants.

4. Do not treat Buddha as merchandise.

You might wonder why there are merchants even in some Buddhist countries who treat Buddha statues or images without respect and sell them like furniture. That is a reflection of human nature. In every society there are good and bad people. Bad people dont care about anything except their own benefit: but the true Buddhist will feel ashamed of that. In some countries you may see shops selling Buddha statues in various sizes. These may be considered acceptable because the buyers are Buddhists who acquire statues and images to place in the temple or other appropriate places with the intention to respect them.

5. Do not use Buddhas name in a disrespectful way.

For example in a movie a dogs name is Buddha. There is an ice cream shop named Buddhi Belly and a bar called Buddha Bar.

6. Do not under any circumstance make fun of Buddha statues or images.

For example there is a movie poster which shows a man sitting on Buddhas shoulder.

7.Do not having image of Buddha as a tattoo.

Learn a little more about Buddha.

No blind faith.
One of the outstanding principles that Buddha taught is to believe in the Law of Nature und the Rule of Cause and Effect. If you plant a seed of bad deeds you will get a bad deed. If you plant a lemon seed you cannot expect a sweet mango tree. Buddha never taught anyone to have blind faith. Quotation by Siddhrtha Gautama (Buddha): "Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions simply because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it." "Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it.

The importance of Buddhas teachings is not limited to Buddhists.

One can vow to follow his teachings without having to vow that one is a Buddhist. No one has to convert to Buddhism in order to follow his teachings because what he teaches is the truth of the universe. Buddha explained the truth to lighten up the wisdom which is hidden in the human mind. No matter who you are, or what religion you believe in you will always have to face the ever changing nature of things which is the fact of life. To face the changing nature of things means to face misery. Buddha has found the way to end the suffering through his major teaching called the Noble Path.

Harmony from within.

When one practices Buddhas teachings, one will find peace from within. This reflects on the way of living and love of peace is characteristic for Buddhists. You will see that they always bow their heads; they are so humble that you will never find a Buddhist war in history because we believe that people should have the freedom to choose their own faith. Strong faith is the freedom of believing without being forced. Faith should fly in like a bird, not enchain like a prisoner.

Knowing Buddha Organization It is our role with high regard to Buddha to give

proper knowledge on how to treat Buddha . To live with compassion and knowing Buddhism would help you to understand why the feeling of peace and harmony can be realized as you see Buddha images. We humbly welcome you to our Buddhist community.

Knowing Buddha Organization is run by

facebook: KnowingBuddha School of Life Foundation www.schooloflifethailand.org