value of deeds performed in previous existences. The Buddha laid emphasis on the intention that lies behind deeds, thoughts, and words, and taught that there is every possibility to mold one’s kamma. It can take countless rebirths for an individual to become an arahat (in Sanskrit arhat), a perfected being who has “completed the journey” and achieved Nibbana and who will not be reborn. The most feasible path to this otherworldly goal is through the seclusion and discipline of monastic life and the practice of intense spiritual meditation. There are many subjects and levels of meditation, but basically the Buddhist through meditation comes to understand that everything in the world is in a constant state of creation and dissolution, that the self is an illusion, and that all sentient existence involves suffering. These concepts of impermanence (anicca), of nonself or nonsoul (anatta), and of the inevitability of suffering (dukkha) are central to the Buddha’s teaching, which offers a path to salvation. The Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path has three components or stages—morality (sila), concentration (samadhi), and wisdom (panna)—which are essential to achieve Nibbana. The Buddha emphasized the importance of self-reliance, and it is left to each individual to strive to achieve full intuitive knowledge. Buddhists in their daily life observe five basic precepts (panca-sila): to abstain from killing, from stealing, from engag-
ing in sexual misconduct, from lying, and from taking intoxicants. Additional precepts are observed by monks, nuns, and strongly committed laity. Lay people, by providing food and clothing to the monks, by making endowments to the Sangha, and by seeking instruction in the Dhamma, can acquire merit and better rebirths. Above all, the Buddha gave to his followers a threefold heritage: first, his own experience and example of perfecting himself; second, a new teaching (the Dhamma) about the purpose and meaning of life and the way to salvation; and third, a monastic order (the Sangha) that preserved and spread his teaching and whose way of life exemplifies great merit and virtue. These Three Jewels of Buddhism are relied on as a means to salvation and are revered in the thricerepeated Buddhist formula or daily prayer: I go to the Buddha for refuge I go to the Dhamma for refuge I go to the Sangha for refuge
BUDDHIST ART Buddhism has over the centuries inspired many artistic masterpieces. The figure of the Buddha did not appear in Buddhist art prior to the first century AD; instead symbols were used to indicate his presence and key events in his life.
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