Buddhism, Spirituality and Science

The teachings of Gautama must be viewed against the background of preexisting traditions of Hinduism, the religion to which Gautama himself was born.

- VIDYA JYOTI PROF. CHANDRA WICKRAMASINGHE

His philosophy could be seen as a form of protestant revolt against the tenets of orthodox Hinduism. Yet, certain basic Hindu concepts were taken over essentially unchanged, for instance the doctrine of Karma, the inexorable law of cause and effect whereby actions in our present life are thought to have consequences in future reincarnations. Another ancient Hindu concept was the belief that the world abounds in ignorance and misery from which the wise and the pious should endeavour to escape.

Where Gautama differed in a fundamental way from Hindu ascetics of old, however, was the manner in which he sought salvation. His own experience had led him to conclude that excessive self-denial such as fasting practised by Hindu ascetics was futile in furthering this cause. Gautama advocated the so-called 'Middle Path', the path that lies between austere asceticism on the one hand and extreme self-indulgence on the other.

Furthermore, revolting against long-established Hindu traditions, he rejected the caste system, asserting that all human beings are equal in their potential to accomplish salvation.

Gautama's first sermon at Varanasi embodies two fundamental pronouncements of Buddhist philosophy: The Four Noble Truths, and alongside it an exposition of the Noble Eightfold Path. The Four Truths are enumerated thus:

(1) Suffering is an essential component of individual existence

(2) The cause of suffering is a craving or attachment for objects of sense

(3) Release from suffering involves the elimination of craving

(4) The elimination of craving is achieved by following the Noble Eightfold Path.

The Noble Eightfold Path itself implies an ethical code of conduct and self-discipline summarised as:

right knowledge

right resolve

right thought

right speech

right action

right living

right mindfulness

right concentration.