The 10 Precious Jewels of Dhamma Given by Tathagata Gautama Buddha

The 10 Precious Jewels of Dhamma Given by Tathagata Gautama Buddha

Timeless Values for Women and All Human Beings

A seven-year-old girl, a young follower of the Dhamma, may be small in age, yet she possesses immense faith. With a calm and thoughtful expression, she shares the message of the Buddha’s wisdom through her sweet words. Her devotion reminds us that the values of Dhamma can inspire people from an early age.

In the history of the Buddha’s Dhamma, Visakha holds a respected place. Her life, enriched with virtues and moral conduct, continues to inspire followers of the Dhamma.

Tathagata Siddhartha Gautama Buddha was one of the great revolutionary thinkers whose teachings challenged social inequalities. Around 2,600 years ago, his Dhamma opened paths for women to pursue spiritual development, knowledge and liberation. Women were given opportunities to study, practise and spread the Dhamma and to develop their intellectual and spiritual potential.

Intelligence and wisdom are not limited by gender. Women, too, can study the Dhamma, practise its teachings and share its message with the world.

Yashodhara’s life also serves as an inspiration through its values of simplicity, dignity, self-respect and virtue. Human relationships should be built on mutual respect and understanding. Attachment, greed, jealousy and uncontrolled craving often disturb our peace of mind. By cultivating noble qualities, we can lead a more meaningful life.

Inspired by the teachings of Tathagata Gautama Buddha, let us understand the 10 precious jewels of Dhamma that can guide us towards becoming better human beings.

Meditation

Meditation is one of the most precious jewels in life. A person who makes meditation a part of daily life can gradually develop a calmer, more stable and peaceful mind.

The beauty of the mind is often reflected in our behaviour, expressions and interactions with others. Therefore, we should first cultivate inner beauty. Physical beauty changes with age, but a peaceful mind, mature thoughts and noble qualities make a person truly beautiful.

Study of the Dhamma

The study of the Dhamma should begin at an early age so that children can develop a strong moral foundation and find the right direction in life.

Reading the Dhamma alone is not enough; its teachings must also be reflected in our daily conduct. The Buddha and his Dhamma offer profound wisdom. By studying these teachings sincerely and applying them in our lives, we can bring positive changes to ourselves and experience genuine happiness.

Good Friends and Well-Wishers

People who stand beside us not only during happy times but also during difficult moments are among life’s most precious jewels.

True friends and well-wishers guide us towards the right path, help us recognise our mistakes and encourage us to move forward.

Parents, teachers, the monastic community and good friends can become valuable companions in our journey through life. We should appreciate their guidance and strive to become equally supportive and trustworthy companions for others.

Right Speech

Right Speech is an essential jewel that helps preserve relationships and build trust.

Our words should be truthful, thoughtful and beneficial. We should avoid speaking in ways that cause unnecessary pain or suffering to others. There should be honesty between what we think, what we feel and what we say.

The Buddha’s teachings emphasise compassion and mindfulness in speech. Inspired by these teachings, we should speak with truthfulness, patience and kindness.

Words have great power. They can bring people closer together, but they can also create misunderstandings and break relationships. Therefore, we should always use our words wisely.

A Virtuous Personality

The true beauty of a personality lies not in outward appearance but in one’s thoughts, character and conduct.

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and Ramai Ambedkar remain inspiring examples for many people. Their struggles, sacrifices, self-respect and commitment to society teach us the importance of dignity, perseverance and humanity.

By cultivating honesty, compassion, equality and social responsibility, we can develop a personality that reflects noble values. A person of strong character does not need external ornaments to prove their worth.

Living a Simple Life

No matter how successful we become, we should always remain humble and grounded.

We should never allow success, wealth, position or fame to make us arrogant. We must not look down upon others or speak ill of them. Even after achieving great success, we should preserve our humility and humanity.

Simplicity is not merely about living with fewer possessions. It also means having pure thoughts, behaving modestly and treating others with respect.

True greatness is reflected in the simplicity of our lives and the kindness of our hearts.

Dhamma Work

Dhamma work is a beautiful and precious jewel. The teachings of the Buddha should not remain limited to our own lives; we should make sincere efforts to share their message with others.

The Buddha’s teachings recognise the gift of Dhamma as the highest form of giving. Spreading the message of wisdom, compassion and friendship, introducing children to the Buddha’s teachings and encouraging ethical living are meaningful forms of Dhamma work.

Dhamma work should begin in our own homes. When parents introduce their children to the Buddha’s teachings, encourage good conduct and lead by example, they help ensure that future generations carry the Dhamma forward.

Dhamma Pilgrimage

A Dhamma pilgrimage is a valuable experience that everyone should consider undertaking at least once in life.

Just as families travel together for holidays, they should also visit important places associated with the life and teachings of Tathagata Gautama Buddha.

Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar are among the significant places connected with the Buddha’s life. Visiting these places can deepen our understanding of his life, his teachings and the history of Buddhism.

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar inspired people to understand and remain conscious of their history. Therefore, we should learn about our heritage, preserve its significance and pass this knowledge on to the next generation.

Cooperation

Cooperation is a precious jewel that creates unity and strengthens relationships.

It should begin within our own homes. When family members understand one another, share responsibilities and support each other during difficult times, family bonds become stronger.

Similarly, when cooperation grows within every household, it creates a foundation for unity, brotherhood, mutual trust and social progress.

The development of society cannot depend on the efforts of a single individual. It requires the participation and contribution of everyone. By helping one another and working together, we can build a more harmonious society.

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is an important virtue that makes human life more peaceful and meaningful.

The Buddha’s teachings encourage us to overcome hatred and cultivate friendship, compassion and understanding.

Forgiving someone is not always easy. Sometimes, the words or actions of others cause us deep pain. In such situations, instead of allowing anger and resentment to control our minds, we should try to reflect calmly and respond with wisdom.

Forgiveness does not mean accepting harmful behaviour or supporting wrongdoing. Rather, it means freeing ourselves from hatred and choosing to move forward with clarity and dignity.

Where possible, we should encourage dialogue, understanding and the rebuilding of friendly relationships.

Conclusion: Let Us Make These Dhamma Jewels a Part of Our Lives

The ten precious jewels of Dhamma taught through the wisdom of Tathagata Gautama Buddha are not merely values to read about; they are principles to practise in our daily lives.

Meditation, the study of the Dhamma, good friends, Right Speech, a virtuous personality, simplicity, Dhamma work, Dhamma pilgrimage, cooperation and forgiveness can help us become more compassionate, thoughtful and responsible human beings.

The true meaning of Dhamma is reflected not merely in religious practices but also in our thoughts, actions and relationships with others.

Whether a person is a woman or a man, young or old, everyone deserves the opportunity to gain knowledge, develop their abilities and live with dignity and self-respect.

Let us embrace these precious jewels in our lives. Let us enrich ourselves and contribute to building a better society guided by wisdom (Prajna), compassion (Karuna), loving-kindness (Metta) and equality.

May the values of the Buddha’s Dhamma illuminate our lives and inspire us to become better human beings.

Miss. Simran Thool,

M.A. in Political Science | Law Student, Government Law College (GLC), Mumbai

Contact: +91 92264 12793