The Principles of Buddha’s Virtues and Their Application in Daily Life

Abstract

Buddha's Virtues refer to the sublime qualities of the Buddha, arising from his resolute determination and great compassion to liberate all beings from the suffering and dangers of the cycle of existence (saṃsāra). The Buddha cultivated perfections (pāramī) continuously over countless eons until he attained the Supreme Perfect Enlightenment (Anuttara-sammā-sambodhiñāṇa). At present, a considerable number of Buddhists misunderstand the true essence of the Buddha’s virtues. Some have even associated these virtues with man-made objects, such as sacred amulets and talismans. This article aims to present the essential meaning of the Buddha's virtues as a guide for practice and as a spiritual anchor, enabling Buddhists to truly appreciate the goodness of the Buddha and apply it in their lives. The Nine Qualities of the Buddha can be summarized into three main aspects which are Wisdom (Paññā), Compassion (Karunā), and Purity (Visuddhi). By applying wisdom to resolve problems with careful discernment, embodying compassion to foster relationships grounded in kindness, and upholding purity through unwavering honesty and integrity both personally and within society, one cultivates happiness and well-being for both oneself and others.