Buddhist Theocracy

Buddhism 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