by Tham Poh Peng

Created on: July 27, 2009   Last Updated: July 29, 2009

Buddha's teachings are for all - those who wish to attain enlightenment like him, as well as those who wish an ordinary life.

Buddhism is both a religion and a way of life. Siddhartha Guatama, born around 565 B.C., founder of Buddhism, learned about the harsh realities of life at the age of 29 when he witnessed the impermanence of nature outside his palace: birth, growth, degeneration and death. He was not able to fathom the reasons for such cruelties and unfairness in life. Leaving his family and the lavish life of the palace behind him, he went in search for life's answers. He lived the life of a wandering monk, practicing meditation and asceticism for several years. Later, he discovered the 'middle way', which was subsequently referred to as a way of life adopting a balanced approach between extreme asceticism and self-indulgence. This has now become an ideal benchmark throughout history for all to follow.

The 'Four Noble Truths' and the 'Eightfold Path' were the first basic teachings the Buddha taught. They offered the first glimpse of hope for the laymen of the time to lead a righteous life, a chance to make amends for wrongdoings by following a set of rules and rituals established for this, a foundation for people to learn from each other. The Buddha knew that not all people learned at the same pace and not everyone wanted to be an 'Arahant' (someone who has gained into the true nature of things) or a Buddha. With this in mind, he gave his teachings according to the understanding and the frame of mind of his audience. To those whose insight was not opened and wanted only a simple and righteous life he imparted the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path and this had become their way of life. Others who were ready to receive the teachings and take up a life of monkhood to reach enlightenment, he expounded the metaphysics of Buddhism.

With the coming of the Buddha, it had provided people with an entirely different way of living, filled with hope, happiness and comfort. It had opened up an avenue of new insight into seeing things from a different viewpoint. Many followed the way of the Buddha but there were others who were only content with just by following the precepts of the 'Dharma' (the teachings of the Buddha) and living an ordinary life.

Even today, you can see that most people embraced the teachings but they are not in a hurry to shave their heads and ordain as a monk or nun. Their hearts belong to their families and the world. God or the divine have not called upon them to give up their possessions and precious ones and follow the path. They are happy to lead life as it is and believe that the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path are all they need to solve and answer their daily problems. They do not want more, preferring this way of life to find a balance between their commitment as a human being and a family member.

We have been living our life here since the first human began on earth. The important thing is that Buddhism has brought universal appeal and a wide perspective to the modern world. It does not really matter whether it is a religion or a way of life. It had served a purpose in the past and it would continue to do so in the present and the future.

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