7 life changing teachings of Gautam Buddha

Buddha, born as a Prince named Siddhartha Gautama, was an ordinary boy destined to be a king before he made a change in his path. To so many people around the world, Buddha was not a God but rather a leader, whose teachings became the foundation of Buddhism. Buddha placed importance on mindfulness, compassion, and ethical living, and his teachings of peace and enlightenment have left a mark on people.
Here we mention 7 life changing teachings of Gautam Buddha.

Buddha’s life is the biggest example of how a human writes his or her own destiny. Born as Siddhartha Gautama, a prince destined for kingship, he chose to leave his royal pleasures in pursuit of spiritual enlightenment. This decision shows that humans and individuals have the power to shape their own destiny. Buddha’s life and journey, from that of a King to one of a monk who roamed in search of peace, is the biggest life changing lesson he taught people. This transformation teaches people that no matter how or in what conditions you are born in, ultimately you write your own life.

Buddha also taught people that our inner state of mind is what decides if we are happy or sad. And so, you solely are the reason for your happiness and sorrow. Buddha taught that suffering arises from our own desires and attachments, and happiness and peace comes from the letting go of desires. By understanding this, people can take responsibility for their own emotions and work towards inner peace.

One of Buddha’s most important teachings comes in the form of his ‘Four Noble Truths’. And one of the truths is that life involves suffering. This suffering and sadness, according to Buddha, is caused by desire and attachment. By learning to let go of these desires and not letting them control us, people can reduce suffering and find greater peace in life.

Mindfulness has emerged as quite the buzzword today. What does it mean? Simply put, mindfulness means being fully present in the moment. Buddha taught that meditation and mindfulness can help humans see things clearly, free from the illusions of desires and fears, and eventually lead a better, more content life.
By practising mindfulness, people can develop a deep awareness of their thoughts, emotions, and actions, leading to greater self-understanding and peace.

Ethical living is one of the core teachings by Buddha. His ‘Five Precepts’ include abstaining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and intoxication, and these 5 are the biggest ethics to adhere to in the modern world. Buddha believed that living an ethical life, away from misconduct, leads to peaceful living. When humans live while adhering to and respecting ethics, it helps develop trust, respect, and compassion with fellows.When humans live in line with their ethics, they also create positive karma for themselves.

Impermanence, or the fact that nothing lasts forever’ is an important teaching of Buddhism. Buddha taught that all things in life are impermanent. Be it the expensive watch you own, or the 12 year old relationship you are in, at the end it will vanish away and serve no purpose. And so, by understanding and accepting the impermanent nature of life, people can reduce their attachment to things and reduce suffering.

Life is much more than working two jobs or living in vain. Life has a higher purpose!
Buddha's own journey was driven by his search for enlightenment, and on his way he encouraged others to search for their own higher purpose and calling. He encouraged and taught people to look beyond material success and seek a deeper meaning in life. Realising one’s higher purpose needs a lot of introspection, self-discovery, and a commitment.