The Buddha was born into this world as a human in B.C. 560. The place of his birth was a grove known as Lumbini, near the city of Kapilavastu, at the foot of Mount Palpa in the Himalayan ranges within Nepal. This city Kapilavastu stood on the bank of the little river Rohini, some hundred miles north-east of the city of Varnasi.

As the time drew night for Buddha to enter the world, the heavenly deities themselves prepared the way before him with celestial portents and signs. Rare flowers bloomed and gentle rains fell, although out of season; heavenly music was heard, delicious scents filled the air.

Upon the Birth of the Buddha, he immediately walked 7 steps which blommed into Lotus and the Lord Buddha proclaimed "Heaven & Earth, I alone is Honoured !" The body of the Baby Buddha bore at birth the thirty-two auspicious marks which indicated his future Greatness and Salvation for human mankind.

The Buddha continued his preaching ministry of 45 years continously preaching, teaching, healing and touching the hearts and lives of people everywhere giving equality of Salvation for all regardless of caste and status and passed into Nibbanic Bliss at the age of eighty in B.C. 480.

The Buddha is not a God for He surpasses God, he attained the highest state of awareness, wisdom and truth of the universe.

Many would have thought that the Buddha was just an ordinary man who has done nothing for us or just sitting under a tree meditating ?

If that is your perception and understanding, that isn't true at all ! You could have been ignorant on the Grace of Lord Buddha ! The Buddha saw that the world was constantly suffering filled with greed, ignorance and aversions, resulting in life and death endlessly.

The Buddha therefore meditated under the Bodhi Tree and was determined to offer Salvation for human mankind who professes Faith in Him.

The Lotus Sutra Chapter 16 stated: "Good men, if there are living beings who come to me, I employ my eye to observe their Faith and to see if their other faculties are keen or dull, and then depending upon how receptive they are to Salvation, I appear in different places and preach to them under different names, and describe the length of time during which my teachings will be effective. Sometimes when I make my appearance I say that I am about to enter Nibbana, and also employ different expedient means to preach the Dhamma, thus causing living beings to awaken joyful minds."

The Buddha chose to be borned and declared his Enlightenment in this world was for the welfare of all beings. All you need to do is to have Faith in the Buddha now ! Hear and feel what has the Buddha done for you?

The Buddha said: "I am the father of this world, saving those who suffer and are afflicted. Because of the befuddlement of ordinary people, though I live, I give out word I have entered extinction. For if they see me constantly, arrogance and selfishness arise in their minds. Abandoning restraint, they give themselves up to the five desires and fall into the evil paths of existence. Always I am aware of which living beings practice the way, and which do not, and in response to their needs for salvation I preach various doctrines for them. At all times I think to myself: How can I cause living beings to gain entry into the unsurpassed way and quickly acquire the body of a Buddha !" (Sadhammapundarika Sutta 16)

 

We accept Lord Buddha through faith as that we get a renew our life, and we receive  by asking Him to walk into our life.

Accepting Buddha means not running your life any more. It means giving your life to the Buddha and sharing the message of Salvation. It also means that believing that Buddha will come into our lives to forgive our unwholesome deeds and letting Him make us what He wants us to be. It does not do us any good just to know that the Buddha was Enlightened. It is not enough just to know that Buddha appeared and attained Enlightenment for us. It is not enough just to have a good feeling. We must accept Lord Buddha by faith. We should believe and accept the words of the Buddha. He teaches that the only way to enter the portal of enlightenment is through your faith. YOU must decide to accept Him!

 

All said and done, what we’ve described in the previous sections will have no consequence in your life if you do not choose to accept Lord Buddha personally.

The Buddha has done everything for you: you are assured of Salvation, and instead have joy, peace, health, a prosperous life, acceptance, compassion, and all good things in life. He is only waiting for you to take the first step towards Him.

To receive Buddha as your Lord and Saviour, say this prayer and mean it from your heart:

"Dear Lord Buddha, thank You for loving me and giving me a chance to talk and listen to you. Your wisdom washes me clean of my ignorance. You are my Lord, my Saviour and my Teacher now and forever. I believe that You never left my side, and that You are alive today. Buddha, You are my Father and I am Your child just like you proclaimed in the Lotus Sutra. Thank You for filling my heart with Your peace, love, truth and joy!"

 

The Buddha warns people that: "Stop, stop, no need to speak! My Law is wonderful and difficult to ponder. Those who are overbearingly arrogant when they hear it will never show reverent belief " (Sadhammapundarika Sutta 2)

Therefore, you must be firm as a Buddhist! Non-believers tend to sway you away from the Buddha and some may even challenge your faith. It is the time that you not only show Faith but also courage in facing evangelists from other faiths, telling them that Buddha offers Salvation, does not condemn, destroy nor show favourism like most monothestic religions does.

Accepting the Buddha into your life is not the end but your first step in affirmation in your faith.

You must try your best to set aside time to pray and study buddhist scriptures as that you may grow not only spritually but intellectually. The Buddha encouraged investigation as that we may be firm and understanding in Buddhism. Always actively share and invite your non-buddhist friends your personal testimony on how has Buddhism changed and touched your life !

Many sticks in a stove burn bright. One stick burning by itself is not good. Its fire will go out. It is the same way with Buddhists. When we meet with other Buddhists, we walk closer to Lord Buddha. 

 

Panna Youth Centre welcomes you to join in our worshipping community or shall you need us to clear any doubts, we will be most glad to be at your side!

Please contact us at info@...  if you have said the above prayer and would like to know more about your new life in the Grace of Lord Buddha.