In western nations we tend to practice the teachings of the Buddha and the main aspect of the Buddhism by taking part in meditation activities. Most of the time we are attracted to meditation simply because it is a strong access to the mind. In order to calm ourselves and to develop concentration, we tend to meditate. A lot of us follow the breathing exercise called Anapanasati, concentrating to the breath. The reason why we should learn about the Gautama Buddha is that the Buddha himself if an embodiment of his teachings. If we understand the qualities of a Buddha, then we will be able to understand the Dhamma. ‘he who sees me, see the Dhamma, he who sees the Dhamma, sees me’ (SN 22.87)
If you have ever participated in any Buddhist chanting or a Dhamma discussion, you may have been noticed that most of the time the monks or the lay people would have started the discussion of the chanting by a very famous line.’Namo tassa Bagavato Arahato Samma sambuddhassa’. The meaning of this line can be simply translated from the Pali language to English as ‘honour to the Lord, Arahat, perfectly and completely Enlightened one!’ (Harver,1990)
In Buddhist texts we come across of nine virtues of the Buddha.
1 Arahan
He has discarded all defilements. He has suppressed all the enemies connected with the eradication of defilements. He destroyed the wheel of existence. He is therefore worthy of being given offerings and paid homage.
2 Sammasambuddho
He comprehended the existence of the world in its proper perspective and he discovered the Four Noble Truths through his own knowledge without a teacher.
3 Vijja-Carana Sampanna
He is full of perfect clear vision he could recall his past births and recall his past existence as well as the others. He could see into the future as well. He was full of unique gift of insight. He had the power of performing supernormal feats, a divine ear, the power of reading other’s thoughts, ability to be appeared from being one to many and from many to one. Disappear from one place and appear at another please instantly,
4 Sugato
He has achieved the great Nibbana by fulfilling the detachment . practising Dana (giving), Sila (right conduct). His path is good and the attainment is excellent. His teachings are unchanged and true in all times.
5 Lokavidu
He is perfect in all the three worlds of existence. He has experienced and penetrated of all aspects of worldly life. Not only the earth we are but he made observations to millions of other worlds existing in this universe. In short it is said that he understood the entire universe as something that is on his palm. Clearly seen being.
6 Anuttaro-purisa-damma-sarati
He is the best person to have control on any being. He could get unto control of any difficult human, Peta or even animals, beings which never come unto control. Through his power of accessibility into other’s thoughts and having control of their action, he could possibly control their thoughts. He appeared as a leader of controlling any being.
7 Satta-Deva-manussanam
What he taught was only for the betterment of human and Devas, for this life and the next lives to come. He was a teacher for gods and men. He is a universal teacher.
8 Buddho
He himself discovered the utmost noble truth of Dukka (suffering), reason of the Dukka, cessation of Dukka, the path to cessation of the Dukka. And he taught this truth to the rest of the world.
9 Bhagava
He is suitable in every way to receive all the respect. He achieved the unconditional knowledge, unconditional superhuman powers, and full of goodness. He always had loving kindness thoughts towards every being in this universe. He was the happiest person ever to be on the earth. He is the most respected person by all men and gods.
It is very important to understand the virtues of the Buddha in order to follow his teachers (Dhamma). In my next article I will be discussing how Buddha becomes an embodiment of his teachings.
Be well!
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