Suffering,​ ​Knowledge,​ ​&​ ​Peace

By:​ ​Dzenis​ ​Sabljakovic

During​ ​the​ ​6th​ ​century​ ​B.C.E.​ ​in​ ​a​ ​small​ ​foothill​ ​village​ ​under​ ​the​ ​himalayan​ ​mountains,

a​ ​monk​ ​name​ ​Siddhartha​ ​Gautama​ ​was​ ​attempting​ ​to​ ​reach​ ​enlightenment​ ​by​ ​refraining​ ​from

food​ ​for​ ​many​ ​days,​ ​eventually​ ​realizing​ ​the​ ​suffering​ ​he​ ​was​ ​inflicting​ ​upon​ ​himself​ ​he

proceeded​ ​to​ ​eat​ ​some​ ​food.​ ​Upon​ ​eating​ ​the​ ​food​ ​and​ ​meditating​ ​under​ ​a​ ​tree,​ ​he​ ​had​ ​an

awakening,​ ​reaching​ ​a​ ​place​ ​called​ ​nirvana​ ​where​ ​all​ ​suffering​ ​is​ ​understood​ ​and​ ​the​ ​body,​ ​soul,

and​ ​mind​ ​released​ ​from​ ​it.​ ​After​ ​this​ m

one.​ ​In​ ​doing​ ​so​ ​he​ ​began​ ​teaching​ ​what​ ​he​ ​had​ ​experienced,​ ​introducing​ ​the​ ​components

necessary​ ​to​ ​reach​ ​this​ ​level​ ​of​ ​peace​ ​and​ ​joy​ ​that​ ​nirvana​ ​will​ ​give​ ​you.​ ​The​ ​three​ ​components

he​ ​introduced​ ​were;​ ​all​ ​life​ ​is​ ​suffering(dukkha)​ ​and​ ​the​ ​process​ ​you​ ​undergo​ ​to​ ​release​ ​yourself

from​ ​it(enlightenment).​ ​Next​ ​he​ ​believed​ ​in​ ​the​ ​4​ ​noble​ ​truths(foundation​ ​of​ ​Buddhism),​ ​those

four​ ​truths​ ​being​ ​suffering,​ ​craving​ ​and​ ​ignorance,​ ​understanding​ ​that​ ​suffering​ ​does​ ​end,​ ​and

finally​ ​how​ ​to​ ​end​ ​it​ ​by​ ​embracing​ ​the​ ​final​ ​component​ ​which​ ​the​ ​Buddha​ ​called​ ​the​ ​Eightfold

path,​ ​an​ ​awakening​ ​process​ ​consisting​ ​of​ ​eight​ ​steps​ ​separated​ ​into​ ​three​ ​divisions,​ ​the​ ​first​ ​one

being​ ​discernment,​ ​which​ ​consists​ ​of​ ​having​ ​the​ ​right​ ​view​ ​and​ ​the​ ​right​ ​resolve​ ​towards​ ​the​ ​way

you​ ​go​ ​about​ ​life.​ ​The​ ​second​ ​division​ ​is​ ​virtue​ ​where​ ​the​ ​right​ ​speech,​ ​right​ ​action,​ ​and​ ​right

livelihood​ ​will​ ​determine​ ​the​ ​virtue​ ​in​ ​your​ ​character.​ ​Finally​ ​the​ ​third​ ​being​ ​concentration,

which​ ​contains​ ​the​ ​right​ ​effort,​ ​right​ ​mindfulness,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​right​ ​type​ ​of​ ​concentration​ ​if​ ​you​ ​are

to​ ​reach​ ​nirvana/enlightenment.​ ​Belief​ ​in​ ​these​ ​components​ ​are​ ​what​ ​form​ ​the​ ​creed​ ​that​ ​the

majority​ ​of​ ​Buddhists​ ​use​ ​to​ ​guide​ ​them(excluding​ ​other​ ​offsets​ ​of​ ​practicing​ ​Buddhists).
 The​ ​creed​ ​the​ ​Buddhists​ ​follow​ ​forms​ ​the​ ​very​ ​code​ ​they​ ​choose​ ​to​ ​live​ ​by.

Understanding​ ​of​ ​one​ ​another​ ​creates​ ​a​ ​certain​ ​fellowship​ ​that​ ​determines​ ​the​ ​morality​ ​of​ ​its

people,​ ​or​ ​community.​ ​With​ ​a​ ​common​ ​attitude,​ ​shared​ ​goals​ ​and​ ​interests,​ ​and​ ​similar​ ​beliefs,

followers​ ​of​ ​Buddhism​ ​have​ ​certainly​ ​developed​ ​a​ ​system​ ​of​ ​worship​ ​that​ ​has​ ​over​ ​the​ ​centuries

expanded​ ​and​ ​turned​ ​it​ ​into​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​largest​ ​religions​ ​on​ ​the​ ​planet.​ ​Following​ ​the​ ​doctrines​ ​the

Buddha​ ​presented​ ​to​ ​their​ ​ancestors​ ​and​ ​in​ ​turn​ ​turning​ ​that​ ​idea​ ​into​ ​the​ ​religion​ ​it​ ​is​ ​today

shows​ ​proof​ ​of​ ​the​ ​cultus​ ​aspect​ ​of​ ​their​ ​growth.​ ​Similar​ ​to​ ​the​ ​expansion​ ​of​ ​other​ ​religions

Buddhism​ ​shares​ ​many​ ​common​ ​components​ ​with​ ​Islam,​ ​preaching​ ​peace​ ​for​ ​the​ ​soul​ ​can​ ​be

achieved​ ​through​ ​nirvana,​ ​where​ ​all​ ​human​ ​suffering​ ​would​ ​end​ ​if​ ​we​ ​were​ ​all​ ​to​ ​follow​ ​the

noble​ ​and​ ​humble​ ​nature​ ​of​ ​our​ ​creator.​ ​Living​ ​one​ ​with​ ​the​ ​world​ ​we​ ​have​ ​been​ ​put​ ​on​ ​will

bring​ ​purity​ ​of​ ​equanimity​ ​and​ ​mindfulness​ ​to​ ​our​ ​being,​ ​pain​ ​and​ ​suffering​ ​would​ ​cease,​ ​wars

would​ ​end,​ ​peace​ ​would​ ​not​ ​just​ ​be​ ​a​ ​hopeful​ ​future​ ​but​ ​a​ ​joyful​ ​present.​ ​Countless​ ​wars​ ​and

deaths​ ​would​ ​have​ ​never​ ​happened​ ​if​ ​we​ ​took​ ​the​ ​time​ ​to​ ​consider​ ​the​ ​drawbacks​ ​of​ ​our​ ​cravings

and​ ​ignorance​ ​of​ ​enlightenment.​ ​Once​ ​we​ ​renounce​ ​the​ ​things​ ​that​ ​have​ ​been​ ​proven​ ​to​ ​be​ ​wrong

throughout​ ​history​ ​we​ ​will​ ​be​ ​set​ ​on​ ​the​ ​path​ ​of​ ​righteousness​ ​and​ ​virtue.​ ​If​ ​heaven​ ​is​ ​a​ ​place​ ​you

can​ ​get​ ​to​ ​just​ b​ y​ ​being​ ​aware​ ​of​ ​your​ ​behavior​ ​here​ ​on​ ​Earth,​ ​wouldn’t​ ​you​ ​be​ ​more​ ​mindful​ ​and

insightful​ ​about​ ​the​ ​way​ ​you​ ​live​ ​your​ ​daily​ ​life?

The​ ​Buddhist​ ​faith​ ​emphasizes​ ​the​ ​principle​ ​of​ ​Karma,​ ​which​ ​is​ ​the​ ​good​ ​or​ ​the​ ​bad

actions​ ​of​ ​someone​ ​during​ ​their​ ​lifetime.​ ​This​ ​karma​ ​the​ ​Buddhists​ ​believe​ ​carries​ ​on​ ​with​ ​you​ ​to

your​ ​next​ ​plane​ ​of​ ​existence,​ ​or​ ​quite​ ​possibly​ ​throughout​ ​every​ ​plane​ ​of​ ​existence​ ​you​ ​might

end​ ​up​ ​in.​ ​Good​ ​actions​ ​include​ ​serving​ ​your​ ​fellow​ ​human​ ​being,​ ​through​ ​generosity​ ​and
compassionate​ ​actions.​ ​While​ ​bad​ ​actions​ ​like​ ​stealing,​ ​lying,​ ​or​ ​killing​ ​will​ ​give​ ​you​ ​bad​ ​karma

and​ ​give​ ​you​ ​an​ ​undesired​ ​afterlife.​ ​Another​ ​important​ ​aspect​ ​to​ ​understand​ ​in​ ​Buddhism,​ ​is​ ​the

concept​ ​of​ ​rebirth,​ ​or​ ​Samsara​ ​which​ ​is​ ​the​ ​cycle​ ​of​ ​death​ ​and​ ​rebirth.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​said​ ​the​ ​better​ ​you

treat​ ​others,​ ​the​ ​more​ ​insightful​ ​and​ ​aware​ ​you​ ​are​ ​during​ ​this​ ​life​ ​will​ ​in​ ​turn​ ​grant​ ​you​ ​a​ ​rebirth

as​ ​a​ ​god​ ​or​ ​a​ ​demigod.​ ​I​ ​realize​ ​not​ ​everyone​ ​believes​ ​in​ ​karma,​ ​or​ ​afterlife,​ ​or​ ​anything​ ​spiritual

whatsoever,​ ​but​ ​the​ ​whole​ ​point​ ​of​ ​Buddhism​ ​in​ ​my​ ​opinion​ ​isn’t​ ​about​ ​the​ ​“unknown,​ ​what

happens​ ​next,​ ​in​ ​the​ ​further”,​ ​I​ ​believe​ ​that​ ​Buddha​ ​was​ ​only​ ​attempting​ ​to​ ​make​ ​us​ ​kinder,

wiser,​ ​and​ ​more​ ​loving​ ​human​ ​beings​ ​who​ ​look​ ​out​ ​for​ ​each​ ​other​ ​like​ ​we’re​ ​all​ ​family.​ ​Many

times​ ​the​ ​Buddha​ ​had​ ​said​ ​I​ ​only​ ​teach​ ​two​ ​things;​ ​suffering​ ​and​ ​the​ ​cessation​ ​of​ ​it​ ​through

enlightenment​ ​in​ ​nirvana.​ ​The​ ​world​ ​is​ ​full​ ​of​ ​desire,​ ​cravings​ ​of​ ​the​ ​flesh,​ ​and​ ​is​ ​lacking​ ​overall

compassion​ ​and​ ​insight.​ ​That​ ​lack​ ​of​ ​insight​ ​and​ ​compassion,​ ​consumed​ ​by​ ​the​ ​greed,​ ​lust,​ ​and

pleasures​ ​of​ ​man​ ​has​ ​perverted​ ​our​ ​minds​ ​with​ ​materialistic​ ​values.​ ​When​ ​we​ ​die​ ​nothing​ ​we

own​ ​goes​ ​with​ ​us,​ ​just​ ​our​ ​body​ ​resting​ ​in​ ​our​ ​dirt​ ​grave.​ ​That​ ​could​ ​be​ ​the​ ​ultimate​ ​reality​ ​and

finally​ ​destination​ ​for​ ​us,​ ​no​ ​soul,​ ​no​ ​spirit,​ ​no​ ​afterlife,​ ​nothing​ ​but​ ​dark​ ​and​ ​isolated​ ​infinity.

You​ ​could​ ​choose​ ​to​ ​believe​ ​in​ ​whatever​ ​religion,​ ​spiritual​ ​belief,​ ​philosophy,​ ​ideology,​ ​law,

theory,​ ​etc.​ ​Choose​ ​something​ ​that​ ​benefits​ ​your​ ​character,​ ​increases​ ​your​ ​vision,​ ​and​ ​helps​ ​your

fellow​ ​human​ ​being.​ ​I​ ​choose​ ​to​ ​believe​ ​in​ ​the​ ​ending​ ​of​ ​suffering,​ ​I​ ​believe​ ​peace​ ​is​ ​an

attainable​ ​goal​ ​for​ ​humanity,​ ​but​ ​it​ ​will​ ​take​ ​all​ ​of​ ​us​ ​to​ ​care​ ​for​ ​it,​ ​and​ ​until​ ​we​ ​make​ ​dynamic

changes​ ​to​ ​the​ ​way​ ​our​ ​world​ ​is​ ​run​ ​by​ ​the​ ​people​ ​who​ ​run​ ​it,​ ​we​ ​will​ ​never​ ​make​ ​progress​ ​and

instead​ ​will​ ​live​ ​only​ ​our​ ​life​ ​the​ ​way​ ​we​ ​played​ ​it​ ​out,​ ​leaving​ ​behind​ ​nothing,​ ​changing

nothing.
 If​ ​we​ ​want​ ​to​ ​change​ ​the​ ​world​ ​we​ ​must​ ​change​ ​ourselves​ ​first​ ​to​ ​reflect​ ​those​ ​values​ ​we

wish​ ​to​ ​teach​ ​others,​ ​practice​ ​what​ ​you​ ​preach​ ​by​ ​showing​ ​your​ ​character​ ​through​ ​the​ ​actions​ ​of

compassion,​ ​cooperation,​ ​and​ ​kindness​ ​towards​ ​others.​ ​Be​ ​the​ ​change​ ​you​ ​wish​ ​to​ ​see(Ghandi),

an​ ​immortal​ ​quote​ ​that​ ​couldn’t​ ​ever​ ​be​ ​incorrect.​ ​Teachings​ ​of​ ​Buddhism,​ ​Islam,​ ​Hinduism,​ ​and

other​ ​religions​ ​of​ ​peace​ ​all​ ​have​ ​a​ ​common​ ​theme​ ​of​ ​brotherhood.​ ​If​ ​all​ ​life​ ​is​ ​suffering​ ​and​ ​there

is​ ​a​ ​process​ ​that​ ​can​ ​end​ ​it​ ​and​ ​give​ ​us​ ​the​ ​most​ ​pleasant​ ​and​ ​joyful​ ​sensation,​ ​wouldn’t​ ​we​ ​all​ ​be

interested​ ​in​ ​such​ ​a​ ​process?​ ​I​ ​certainly​ ​was​ ​when​ ​I​ ​was​ ​studying​ ​Buddhism,​ ​and​ ​what​ ​catches

my​ ​eye​ ​above​ ​all​ ​else​ ​is​ ​this​ ​idea​ ​of​ ​good​ ​and​ ​evil(good​ ​or​ ​bad),​ ​what​ ​I​ ​mean​ ​by​ ​this​ ​is​ ​if​ ​sin​ ​was

designed​ ​by​ ​god​ ​to​ ​test​ ​the​ ​faith​ ​of​ ​man,​ ​then​ ​life​ ​is​ ​nothing​ ​more​ ​that​ ​a​ ​trial​ ​of​ ​our​ ​own​ ​soul​ ​&

how​ ​it​ ​relates​ ​to​ ​sin​ ​and​ ​how​ ​we​ ​relate​ ​to​ ​an​ ​eternal(perfect)​ ​god.​ ​If​ ​the​ ​sins​ ​of​ ​man​ ​reflect​ ​the

aura​ ​of​ ​an​ ​eternal​ ​god​ ​then​ ​the​ ​characteristics​ ​of​ ​such​ ​a​ ​being​ ​would​ ​not​ ​exhibit​ ​sin,​ ​as​ ​it​ ​being

just​ ​a​ ​test​ ​for​ ​the​ ​righteous​ ​to​ ​hopefully​ ​pass.​ ​What​ ​traits​ ​could​ ​such​ ​a​ ​being​ ​possess​ ​and​ ​do​ ​we

innately​ ​carry​ ​those​ ​same​ ​traits?​ ​My​ ​answer​ ​to​ ​this​ ​is​ ​yes,​ ​absolutely,​ ​because​ ​to​ ​learn​ ​is​ ​to

evolve,​ ​and​ ​to​ ​understand​ ​that​ ​balance​ ​is​ ​the​ ​order​ ​needed​ ​for​ ​a​ ​supreme​ ​creator​ ​to​ ​exist​ ​outside

of​ ​our​ ​physical​ ​existence.​ ​The​ ​paradox​ ​of​ ​god​ ​to​ ​our​ ​understanding​ ​could​ ​be​ ​a​ ​simple​ ​logical

truth​ ​on​ ​a​ ​different​ ​plane​ ​of​ ​existence,​ ​that​ ​we​ ​do​ ​not​ ​understand,​ ​and​ ​possibly​ ​never​ ​will.

Reaching​ ​nirvana​ ​through​ ​Buddha's​ ​awakening​ ​process​ ​says​ ​the​ ​contrary,​ ​that​ ​we​ ​will​ ​obtain​ ​all

knowledge​ ​and​ ​wisdom​ ​this​ ​Earth​ ​has​ ​to​ ​offer​ ​and​ ​expand​ ​the​ ​vitality​ ​of​ ​our​ ​eternal​ ​soul​ ​in​ ​the

next​ ​realm​ ​of​ ​existence.

There’s​ ​a​ ​reason​ ​for​ ​all​ ​the​ ​mystery​ ​in​ ​our​ ​reality,​ ​are​ ​we​ ​following​ ​the​ ​footsteps​ ​of​ ​a

cosmic​ ​being​ ​that​ ​has​ ​nothing​ ​but​ ​good​ ​intentions​ ​for​ ​us,​ ​are​ ​we​ ​alone​ ​on​ ​this​ ​journey​ ​to​ ​our
grave​ ​or​ ​are​ ​there​ ​insights​ ​to​ ​an​ ​existence​ ​of​ ​an​ ​afterlife.​ ​Number​ ​4​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Dhammapada​ ​says,

“Do​ ​not​ ​consider​ ​the​ ​faults​ ​of​ ​others,​ ​or​ ​what​ ​they​ ​have​ ​or​ ​haven’t​ ​done.​ ​Consider​ ​rather​ ​what

you​ ​yourself​ ​have​ ​or​ ​haven’t​ ​done.”​ ​I​ ​humbly​ ​believe​ ​that​ ​this​ ​saying​ ​right​ ​here​ ​is​ ​just​ ​one​ ​of

many​ ​pieces​ ​of​ ​wisdom​ ​that​ ​you,​ ​me,​ ​and​ ​everyone​ ​on​ ​this​ ​planet​ ​should​ ​be​ ​taking​ ​into

consideration.​ ​If​ ​we​ ​never​ ​had​ ​war​ ​think​ ​of​ ​the​ ​better​ ​education​ ​our​ ​kids​ ​could​ ​be​ ​having​ ​because

of​ ​better​ ​funding,​ ​think​ ​of​ ​the​ ​advances​ ​in​ ​technology​ ​and​ ​science​ ​we’d​ ​make​ ​it​ ​we​ ​didn’t​ ​spend

billions​ ​and​ ​trillions​ ​of​ ​dollars​ ​just​ ​on​ ​new​ ​ways​ ​of​ ​killing​ ​one​ ​another?​ ​It’s​ ​ridiculous,​ ​and

asinine​ ​the​ ​decisions​ ​the​ ​countries​ ​on​ ​Earth​ ​have​ ​made​ ​for​ ​proprietary​ ​and​ ​monetary​ ​gain.​ ​If​ ​we

are​ ​to​ ​prosper​ ​we​ ​must​ ​not​ ​kill​ ​or​ ​cause​ ​others​ ​to​ ​kill,​ ​we​ ​must​ ​not​ ​repeat​ ​evils​ ​of​ ​the​ ​past

because​ ​that​ ​will​ ​only​ ​bring​ ​more​ ​suffering,​ ​but​ ​if​ ​we​ ​are​ ​to​ ​wish​ ​and​ ​work​ ​towards​ ​good​ ​merit,

it​ ​will​ ​in​ ​turn​ ​bring​ ​happiness​ ​to​ ​us​ ​all.​ ​Education​ ​is​ ​essential​ ​for​ ​achieving​ ​proper​ ​conduct,​ ​“He

who​ ​learns​ ​but​ ​does​ ​not​ ​think​ ​is​ ​lost.​ ​He​ ​who​ ​thinks​ ​but​ ​does​ ​not​ ​learn​ ​is​ ​in​ ​great

danger.”(Confucius)

In​ ​Judaism​ ​the​ ​resurrection​ ​of​ ​the​ ​dead​ ​says,​ ​“The​ ​wicked,​ ​even​ ​during​ ​their​ ​lifetimes,​ ​are

called​ ​dead;​ ​the​ ​righteous,​ ​even​ ​during​ ​their​ ​deaths,​ ​are​ ​called​ ​living.”​ ​Similarly​ ​in​ ​Buddhism

and​ ​Hinduism​ ​they​ ​have​ ​Samsara,​ ​“the​ ​endless​ ​round​ ​of​ ​birth,​ ​death,​ ​and​ ​rebirth​ ​to​ ​which​ ​all

conditioned​ ​beings​ ​are​ ​subject.”​ ​The​ ​way​ ​you​ ​live,​ ​determines​ ​your​ ​destination​ ​at​ ​the​ ​end(if​ ​there

is​ ​one),​ ​and​ ​this​ ​similar​ ​concept​ ​is​ ​found​ ​in​ ​almost​ ​every​ ​religion.​ ​There​ ​must​ ​be​ ​a​ ​correlation

and​ ​common​ ​theme​ ​here,​ ​and​ ​I​ ​believe​ ​the​ ​Buddha​ ​discovered​ ​that​ ​theme​ ​through​ ​the​ ​meditative

state​ ​he​ ​achieved​ ​through​ ​nirvana.​ ​We​ ​become​ ​what​ ​we​ ​think,​ ​if​ ​we​ ​think​ ​of​ ​ourselves​ ​as

compassionate,​ ​kind,​ ​and​ ​aware​ ​then​ ​we​ ​will​ ​be.​ ​We​ ​as​ ​human​ ​beings​ ​need​ ​to​ ​start​ ​making​ ​the
circumstances​ ​we​ ​wish​ ​to​ ​see​ ​by​ ​bettering​ ​our​ ​characters,​ ​because​ ​only​ ​through​ ​our​ ​consistent

efforts​ ​are​ ​results​ ​made,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​only​ ​limitations​ ​we​ ​have​ ​are​ ​the​ ​ones​ ​that​ ​are​ ​self-imposed(with

respects​ ​to​ ​natural​ ​laws).​ ​What​ ​I​ ​believe​ ​we​ ​must​ ​do​ ​to​ ​become​ ​a​ ​better​ ​human​ ​race,​ ​is​ ​first,

change​ ​our​ ​schemas,​ ​which​ ​is​ ​the​ ​mental​ ​structure​ ​we​ ​use​ ​to​ ​organize​ ​&​ ​simplify​ ​our​ ​knowledge

of​ ​the​ ​world​ ​around​ ​us.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​key​ ​towards​ ​becoming​ ​better​ ​equipped​ ​to​ ​understand​ ​profound

teachings​ ​and​ ​follow​ ​righteous​ ​practices.​ ​We​ ​must​ ​change​ ​how​ ​we​ ​notice​ ​things,​ ​how​ ​we

interpret​ ​them,​ ​we​ ​must​ ​make/act​ ​on​ ​decisions,​ ​classify​ ​things​ ​the​ ​correct​ ​way,​ ​predict

happenings(awareness)​ ​and​ ​assess​ ​our​ ​fight​ ​or​ ​flight​ ​instinct.​ ​The​ ​second​ ​step​ ​we​ ​should​ ​follow

is​ ​that​ ​of​ ​reframing.​ ​A​ ​frame,​ ​or​ ​frame​ ​of​ ​reference​ ​is​ ​a​ ​complex​ ​schema​ ​of​ ​unquestioned​ ​beliefs,

values,​ ​and​ ​so​ ​on.​ ​We​ ​use​ ​them​ ​when​ ​inferring​ ​meanings,​ ​if​ ​part​ ​or​ ​the​ ​whole​ ​frame​ ​is

changed(reframing),​ ​then​ ​the​ ​meaning​ ​that​ ​is​ ​inferred​ ​may​ ​change.​ ​When​ ​we​ ​understand​ ​spoken

and​ ​unspoken​ ​assumptions,​ ​including​ ​beliefs​ ​&​ ​schemas​ ​being​ ​used​ ​then​ ​we​ ​become​ ​better

equipped​ ​to​ ​look​ ​at​ ​things​ ​in​ ​different​ ​ways.​ ​For​ ​example;​ ​seeing​ ​a​ ​problem​ ​as​ ​an​ ​opportunity,

seeing​ ​weakness​ ​as​ ​strength,​ ​viewing​ ​the​ ​impossible​ ​as​ ​possible,​ ​and​ ​so​ ​on​ ​and​ ​so​ ​forth.​ ​To

reframe​ ​a​ ​scheme​ ​you​ ​must​ ​be​ ​prepared​ ​to​ ​be​ ​an​ ​active​ ​listener,​ ​a​ ​conflict​ ​resolver,​ ​and​ ​a​ ​good

manager​ ​of​ ​possible​ ​conflicts.​ ​The​ ​head​ ​on​ ​your​ ​shoulders​ ​must​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​be​ ​mindful​ ​and

insightful​ ​just​ ​like​ ​the​ ​Buddha​ ​had​ ​to​ ​be​ ​to​ ​reach​ ​the​ ​higher​ ​state​ ​of​ ​consciousness​ ​he​ ​reached.

To​ ​conclude,​ ​the​ ​creed,​ ​code,​ ​cultus,​ ​and​ ​community​ ​exhibited​ ​by​ ​the​ ​followers​ ​of

Buddhism​ ​are​ ​a​ ​way​ ​of​ ​life​ ​that​ ​I​ ​truly​ ​believe​ ​we​ ​could​ ​all​ ​benefit​ ​from,​ ​whether​ ​you​ ​become​ ​a

committed​ ​follower​ ​or​ ​just​ ​simply​ ​use​ ​the​ ​knowledge​ ​given​ ​and​ ​apply​ ​it​ ​to​ ​your​ ​own​ ​life,​ ​the

result​ ​is​ ​the​ ​same,​ ​and​ ​that​ ​result​ ​is​ ​being​ ​able​ ​to​ ​view​ ​the​ ​world​ ​in​ ​a​ ​way​ ​that​ ​brings​ ​about
profound​ ​understanding​ ​of​ ​concepts​ ​that​ ​better​ ​not​ ​just​ ​you,​ ​but​ ​possibly​ ​the​ ​world​ ​around​ ​you!

The​ ​best​ ​among​ ​us​ ​are​ ​the​ ​ones​ ​who​ ​are​ ​kind​ ​and​ ​with​ ​eyes​ ​to​ ​see​ ​the​ ​things​ ​many​ ​ignore​ ​to​ ​see.

I​ ​respect​ ​every​ ​life,​ ​I​ ​cherish​ ​every​ ​life,​ ​and​ ​with​ ​that​ ​compassion​ ​we​ ​can​ ​begin​ ​to​ ​see​ ​that​ ​war,

violence,​ ​hate,​ ​and​ ​all​ ​evils​ ​of​ ​the​ ​world​ ​can​ ​be​ ​ceased​ ​through​ ​the​ ​actions​ ​of​ ​the​ ​enlightened​ ​and

wise.​ ​By​ ​spreading​ ​the​ ​word​ ​of​ ​peace,​ ​by​ ​exhibiting​ ​remarkable​ ​human​ ​behavior​ ​towards​ ​others

we​ ​will​ ​in​ ​turn​ ​be​ ​filled​ ​with​ ​joy,​ ​while​ ​on​ ​the​ ​other​ ​hand​ ​suffering​ ​will​ ​be​ ​slowly​ ​fading​ ​away

with​ ​all​ ​the​ ​sorrows​ ​and​ ​miseries​ ​of​ ​the​ ​past.​ ​As​ ​above,​ ​so​ ​below.​ ​I​ ​leave​ ​you​ ​with​ ​this,​ ​all

knowledge​ ​is​ ​found​ ​through​ ​the​ ​intricate​ ​dissections​ ​of​ ​thoughts,​ ​emotions,​ ​and​ ​logical

questions.​ ​So​ ​I​ ​ask​ ​you,​ ​have​ ​you​ ​been​ ​asking​ ​the​ ​right​ ​questions?​ ​Ending​ ​human​ ​suffering​ ​and

creating​ ​peace​ ​on​ ​this​ ​planet​ ​is​ ​the​ ​only​ ​path​ ​I​ ​want​ ​to​ ​follow,​ ​and​ ​if​ ​we​ ​all​ ​worked​ ​on​ ​such​ ​a

goal,​ ​the​ ​results​ ​would​ ​be​ ​heaven​ ​on​ ​Earth,​ ​a​ ​physical​ ​nirvana​ ​we​ ​all​ ​get​ ​to​ ​experience,​ ​but​ ​only

when​ ​we​ ​all​ ​start​ ​caring​ ​about​ ​each​ ​other​ ​more​ ​than​ ​we​ ​care​ ​about​ ​ourselves.