The 5 Basic Principles of Buddhism
Buddhism is not only a religious-philosophical teaching. If you adopt it, it can help you get rid of unnecessary worries completely, begin to enjoy the little things and forget about anxiety and stress. The five rules, broadcast by some of the most famous spiritual guides, the Dalai Lama XIV and Titus Nath Khan, are an uncomplicated guide to understanding Buddhism that will surely come in handy in your daily life.
Principle One: Suffering as a Cause for Development
No one is immune to pain, worry and discomfort. Buddhists say that depression and despair are caused by our inability to control our desires. Meditation, strict adherence to simple rules, and most importantly, accepting and using your pain as a valuable resource can help you achieve nirvana.
Vietnamese monk, spiritual teacher and eastern sage Tit Nhat Han, like other mentors, is in no hurry to put a ban on suffering and devalue mental pain. In his books, he is ready to explain to all those who cannot restore inner balance why the ability to be upset, to experience discomfort and even to panic is so necessary for spiritual growth and harmony.
Principle Two: Responsibility
Everything you do, think and feel is solely the fruit of your desires and efforts. There is no higher power or providence that can determine your destiny, only you are responsible for how your life turns out. The adherents of Buddhism are sure: the highest goal of a person who has decided to tie his life to this doctrine in one way or another is to achieve Enlightenment. And the first step on the way to the final point is to learn to take responsibility for each of your actions.
“The Dalai Lama’s Path to Enlightenment” is a collection of various (from the most ancient to the newest) materials on the state of complete harmony and tranquility. This book will help you grasp the complex science of self-control, as well as give you a closer look at the philosophy of Buddhism.
Principle Three: The Variability of Life
Life energy is not static. And anyone who attempts to grasp this or that form, no matter how beautiful it may be, is doomed to suffer. Only impartiality and the ability to observe will help a follower of the Buddhist teachings to accept any changes with equal serenity, as if they were only small pieces of a giant mosaic.
Meditation will help you to keep harmony and to bear any events without excessive emotions. The Dalai Lama’s book devoted to this practice contains useful advice about the right poses, time and place of the ritual, which very soon will become your habit.
Principle Four: There is no separate self
The Buddhist law of change also applies to the separate self. Just like everything else that touches our eyes, the individual is subject to a permanent transformation. It takes place, however, in close connection with all universal processes – in other words, it is not possible to exist on its own. So it would be fundamentally wrong to believe in a separate self and its selfish desires, for this would bring nothing but disappointment.
From the absolute bestseller “The Art of Being Happy”, where the Dalai Lama answers the questions of psychotherapist Howard Cutler, you will learn the main rules of Buddhist harmony and happiness and get a lot of useful tips on how to unite with the whole world and direct your inner energy in the right direction.
Principle Five: Love is joy and goodwill
Buddhists believe there are four elements of love that make it true. Benevolence allows you to be tolerant of your loved ones, compassion allows you to understand your partner’s worries and pain, tranquility allows you to avoid unnecessary conflict, and the joy that your feeling brings you will preserve your spiritual unity for years to come.
Cultivate the energy of love – that’s the only true recipe for happiness. In Titus Nat Han’s book “How to Love Consciously,” you will find useful tips on how to properly formulate requests to the universe and find common ground with your family, as well as learn why the art of meditation is so important for anyone who wants to be in harmony with themselves and the world around them.