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The ultimate goal of a
Buddhist Monk is the attainment of Nirvana,
a state
where all
desire and suffering have been eliminated and in
which the endless cycle of rebirths or samsara
through which all living things must pass, ceases.
Lord Buddha preached Four Noble Truths: all life is
suffering, suffering is caused by desire, suffering
ends when desire is eliminated and believers must
follow the Noble Eight-Fold Path to achieve this
end.
The first stage for the Buddhist Monk and Buddhist's
in general is Sila or morality which means right
speech, right conduct and the right way of
life. A Buddhist gains Sila on observance of the Five
Precepts which forbid killing, lying, stealing, sexual
misconduct and taking
intoxicants.
The second stage is
Samadhi or true mental discipline,
which means the right endeavour, right mindfulness and right meditation.
The third stage is Panna or wisdom and insight, made up of
the right views and the right intent.
This Noble Eight-Fold
Path has been summarized in verse by the Buddha:
“To refrain from all
evil, To do what is good, To cleanse one’s mind,
This is the advice of all Buddhas.” With Wisdom and
Insight will come Enlightenment, leading on to
Nirvana. |
About 80 percent of Myanmar's are Theravada Buddhists, where
great stress is placed upon individual achievement — one
must work out one’s own salvation. All good Buddhists must
traverse the slow and tedious path of purity with diligence
and patience. 