Food For Thought
Every month, we will highlight insights from history’s biggest thinkers to offer interesting perspectives to ‘chew on’ (Boris’ favorite phrase)...
The Buddha, 500-420 BC: Buddha told his followers to be “lamps unto their own feet” in understanding how to live a meaningful life without regrets in the end, and to act out of genuine altruism, to be and do for others without hoping for reward. Today 376 million people practice Buddhism.
The Buddha discovered three universal truths, summarized below...
- Nothing is lost in the universe: Matter turns into energy, energy turns into matter. A dead leaf turns into soil. A seed sprouts and becomes a new plant. We are born of our parents, our children are born of us. We consist of that which is around us. If we destroy something around us, we destroy ourselves.
- Everything Changes: Life is like a river flowing and ever-changing. Sometimes it flows slowly and sometimes swiftly. It is smooth and gentle in some places, but later on snags. As soon as we think we are safe, something unexpected happens. Our ideas about life also change.
- Law of Cause and Effect: There are continuous changes in life due to the law of cause and effect, also known as karma. In other words, we reap what we sow; we receive what we earn, whether it is good or bad. Our thoughts and actions determine the kind of life we can have. Every moment we create new karma by what we say, do, and think. If we understand this, we can learn and grow in our personal responsibility to create a brighter future.
