Every year on 26 May, followers of Buddhism around the world come together to commemorate the birth of Siddhartha Gautama, who would later become known as Buddha, The Enlightened One. This special occasion offers an opportunity to reflect upon the life and teachings of a remarkable spiritual figure who has left an indelible mark on the world. Let us delve into the significance of 26 May, the journey of Buddha, and his profound teachings on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.

The Significance of 26 May

This day, 26 May, holds great significance in the Buddhist calendar as it marks the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Buddha. According to historical accounts, Siddhartha Gautama was born on this auspicious day in the town of Lumbini, now located in present-day Nepal. It is believed that he attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India, and later passed away in Kushinagar, also in India. Therefore, 26 May is a day to honour these pivotal moments in Buddha’s life and to seek inspiration from his profound teachings.

The Life of Buddha

Buddha’s journey towards enlightenment was marked by a profound spiritual quest. Born as a prince, Siddhartha Gautama lived a life of luxury and privilege. However, he became disillusioned with the suffering and impermanence that lay outside the palace walls. Driven by a deep desire to understand the nature of existence and alleviate human suffering, he renounced his royal life and embarked on a path of asceticism and meditation.

During his spiritual journey, Siddhartha Gautama wandered through forests and engaged in rigorous practices, seeking answers to the fundamental questions of life. After years of intense contemplation, he attained enlightenment at the age of 35. From then on, he came to be known as Buddha, meaning “The Enlightened One.” Following his realisation, Buddha spent the remaining years of his life teaching and spreading his profound wisdom.

The Four Noble Truths

At the core of Buddha’s teachings are the Four Noble Truths, which serve as a fundamental framework for understanding and addressing suffering. The First Noble Truth acknowledges the existence of suffering in life, the Second Noble Truth explores the causes of suffering, the Third Noble Truth reveals the possibility of liberation from suffering, and the Fourth Noble Truth outlines the Eightfold Path as a way to transcend suffering and achieve enlightenment.

The Eightfold Path

The Eightfold Path is a central concept in Buddhism, outlining the path that leads to the cessation of suffering and the attainment of enlightenment. It provides a practical framework for individuals to cultivate wisdom, ethical conduct, and mental discipline in their daily lives. The path is often depicted as a wheel, symbolising the interconnectedness of its eight components.

1. Right Understanding (Samma Ditthi): This refers to developing a correct understanding of the nature of reality, particularly the understanding of the Four Noble Truths. It involves seeing things as they truly are, recognising the impermanence and interconnectedness of all phenomena, and understanding the law of cause and effect (karma).

2. Right Thought (Samma Sankappa): Right thought involves cultivating wholesome and skillful thoughts and intentions. It encourages the abandonment of thoughts rooted in greed, hatred, and delusion, and instead nurtures thoughts of generosity, compassion, and wisdom. Right thought directs the mind towards ethical behaviour and spiritual growth.

3. Right Speech (Samma Vaca): This aspect emphasises the importance of truthful, kind, and mindful communication. Right speech encourages refraining from lying, gossiping, harsh or divisive speech, and idle chatter. It promotes using words to bring about harmony and understanding.

4. Right Action (Samma Kammanta): Right action focuses on ethical conduct in one’s actions and behaviour. It involves refraining from harming living beings, stealing, engaging in sexual misconduct, and any other actions that bring harm or suffering to oneself or others. Right action encourages acting with integrity, honesty, and compassion.

5. Right Livelihood (Samma Ajiva): Right livelihood is concerned with choosing an occupation or means of livelihood that is ethically and morally upright. It encourages engaging in work that does not cause harm or suffering to oneself or others. Right livelihood promotes professions that contribute positively to society and avoids those that involve exploitation, violence, or deception.

6. Right Effort (Samma Vayama): Right effort entails cultivating wholesome qualities and making a continuous effort to overcome unwholesome states of mind. It involves cultivating positive mental states such as loving-kindness, compassion, generosity, and mindfulness while diligently working towards abandoning negative mental states such as hatred, greed, and ignorance.

7. Right Mindfulness (Samma Sati): Right mindfulness involves the cultivation of moment-to-moment awareness and a clear, non-judgmental observation of the present experience. It encompasses observing the body, feelings, thoughts, and phenomena with equanimity, fully engaging in the present moment. Right mindfulness develops insight and wisdom, allowing one to see the impermanent and impersonal nature of reality.

8. Right Concentration (Samma Samadhi): Right concentration refers to the development of focused and one-pointed concentration of the mind. It involves training the mind through practices such as meditation to attain deep states of concentration and absorption. Right concentration leads to mental clarity, tranquillity, and the direct experience of insight and wisdom.

It is important to note that the Eightfold Path is not a sequential checklist but rather an integrated and simultaneous practice. Each aspect supports and reinforces the others, leading to a balanced and holistic path towards liberation and awakening.

So, as we celebrate the birth of Buddha on 26 May, we honour the life and teachings of a spiritual luminary whose quest for enlightenment continues to inspire millions around the world. Buddha’s journey from a prince to an awakened being provides us with profound insights into the nature of suffering and the path to liberation. Through his teachings on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, he offers a roadmap to navigate the challenges of existence and attain true inner transformation. 

If you are intrigued by the teachings of Buddha and would like to experience a serene and contemplative environment, we invite you to visit Crystal Castle. 

Remember, as Buddha once said, “No matter how hard the past is, you can always begin again.”