Teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha
The Buddha appeared in this world to purify all beings by having them open the treasure of Buddha Wisdom, which they are unaware of possessing within themselves.
His goal was to free all people from suffering, and his awakening was the realization of effective means for teaching everybody the path to awakening.
Cause and Effect
The law of cause and effect is central to understanding the Buddha’s insight.
The Buddha taught that what we are today is the result of what we have thought and done in the past, and what we will be in the future is a result of what we think and do in the present. As the Dhammapada says,
“What we are today comes from our thoughts of yesterday, and our present thoughts build our life of tomorrow: Our life is the creation of our mind. If a man speaks or acts with a pure mind, joy follows him like a shadow.”
Rebirth
The Buddha was aware that the process of cause and effect extends beyond a single lifetime. What we will become in future lifetimes will be determined by what we do in the present.
Four Noble Truths
The Four Noble Truths are the fundamental teachings of the Buddha, a straightforward application of the law of cause and effect.