Buddhist Theocracy

Template:CharacterBuddhism originated in India, based on the teachings, of Siddhartha Gautama, later known as Gautama Buddha. A Buddha is one who is said to be awake to the truth of life. The core of Buddhists beliefs are centered on the four noble truths, the noble eight-fold path and the five precepts.

Four noble Truths

The Buddha's first and most important teachings are the Four Noble Truths.

1. Life often—in fact almost always—involves suffering.
2. The reason for this suffering is that we want things to be a certain way.
3. The way to cure suffering is to rise above this desire.
4. The way to rise above desire is to follow the Noble Eight fold Path, practices which help us change our minds and understanding .

Noble Eight-fold Path

The Buddha told people to follow a special way of life called the Noble Eightfold Path if they want to understand the Four Noble Truths. These are:

1. Appropriate views. Know and understand the Four Noble Truths
2. Appropriate thought. Turn your mind away from the world and towards the Dharma
3. Appropriate speech. Tell the truth, don't gossip, and don't talk badly about others
4. Appropriate conduct. Don't commit evil acts, like killing, stealing, or living an unclean life
5. Appropriate livelihood. Earn your money in a way that doesn't harm anyone
6. Appropriate effort. Work to make your mind more good and less evil
7. Appropriate mindfulness. Remember the Dharma and apply it all the time
8. Appropriate meditation. Practice meditation as a way of understanding reality

Five precepts

Buddhists are encouraged to follow five precepts, or guidelines. The Buddha taught that killing, stealing, having sex in a harmful way, and lying are not signs of skill.

1. I will not hurt a person or animal that is alive.
2. I will not take something if it was not given to me.
3. I will not engage in sexual misconduct.
4. I will not lie or say things that hurt people.
5. I will not take intoxicants, like alcohol or drugs, causing heedlessness