Gautama Buddha on action

"An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea." - Gautama Buddha.

When one speaks of a man of action, seldom would one hear the name of Gautama Buddha come up. Usually, the names of conquerors such as Alexander the Great or renowned captains of industry such as Carnegie or Rockefeller are brought up. Will all due respect to the accomplishments of these men, I would argue that Buddha is a greater man of action than these other accomplished individuals.

Alexander the Great may have created one of the largest empires that the earth has ever seen, and these captains of industry may have created historically unparalleled fortunes, but Buddha's actions have had a more resounding impact on history than theirs. Buddha left the opulence and power of a kingdom in order to follow his idea of finding truth and meaning in life.

He was one who cast away materialistic wealth and power to pursue a realm that would save men from their misery and quench man's age old thirst for sustained happiness. These other great men may have made a mark in history by accomplishing great things for themselves, but Buddha left a legacy that these other men could not. He left the world with a path to attaining peace of mind, that about 350 million people on the planet still follow.

So if you need reason to follow your dreams, your ideas, and reach for the answer to all the questions to which you seek an answer, look no further than Gautama Buddha, the man who said this very quote. Find truth in what you are doing, and pursue it wholeheartedly, never let challenges phase you. According to Buddhist mythology, Buddha was faced with challenges such as an army of devils, and he was attacked with a weapon that could cleave mountains. But he sat in meditation, and wasn't bothered in the least by these challenges. He followed his pursuit of truth with single-pointed concentration. Then he attained enlightenment. He had reached his goal. But he didn't stop there.

Success is a continuous process, and Buddha exemplified this. He didn't limit the knowledge of enlightenment to himself, but he spread his hard earned wisdom to the masses. After attaining one's goals one should keep going on, and help others with what you have attained. This way Buddha became an individual who has had a profound and meaningful life, that has had a far reaching impact in the course of history. he doesn't remain merely a page in the history book, but a page in the lives of several individuals, who still gain knowledge and motivation from his inspiring life.

So next time you have an idea that can change the world, or even just change a single life for the better, think of Buddha and transform it into action.

With best wishes,
Deepu Nair