Origins and Foundations
The beginning:
Buddha was first known as Siddhartha Gautama he was from royalty background. He was born the son of a prince Shakya tribe in Nepal, in the lower Himalayan Mountains. Legend says that his mother Maya dreamt a white elephant by her side. When she woke up the future Buddha was conceived. His mother died at childbirth and was raised by his aunt. At his naming ceremony the priest explained Siddhartha would have two paths laid upon him, the first one he will become a ruler and a loved king. The second path he will see suffering and become a spiritual leader. Siddhartha’s father wanted his son to become the great ruler, he took every precaution to protect his son from viewing any suffering. He was always surrounded by luxurious items and held at the compound. He was married at a young age to a woman his father choose for him. Siddhartha was educated and trained like a warrior. One major event that affected Siddhartha, was when he escaped from the palace and noticed all the suffering of ordinary life this event was called the Four Passing Sights. By viewing this suffering at age 29, he noticed that he was being held in a pleasant prison. He escaped the life of royalty leaving everything behind. Left the palace in simple clothing, this was called the Great Going Forth. He was on a path full of unanswered questions.
The Journey:
From her Siddhartha traveled from teacher to teacher with questions and to learn the art of meditation and philosophy. But he was never satisfied with his teachings. He set out to find the answers he was looking for with 5 nomadic “seekers”. He lived a on little food, water and sleep he believed this will purify him and in the end gain spiritual powers. When he realized this method was destroying him he decided to live a path of moderation, the middle between self-indulgence and self-discipline. The event that changed Siddhartha was when he received his name. He was enlightened during one night of meditation, he entered complete awareness and he saw his past life, looked at the law of Karma and finally achieved insight into the release from suffering and death. This caused his to feel “woken up” and the name Buddha came into place. The meaning of Buddha means to “wake up”.
The Final Words:
Buddha spent the rest of his life travelling from village to village. He spread the words of his teaching and the way of life. Many people started following him and donated buildings, food and necessities. This became a big movement that created monks and later nuns. Buddha lead a very healthy life he ate in moderation, meditate often and had regular exercise. When he was 80 years old a woman name Chundra, offered the Buddha food. The food was spoiled and made Buddha very sick. Sensing that he was dying he called over his disciples and said his final words “You must be your own lamps, be your own
refuges. Take refuge in nothing outside yourselves. Hold firm to the truth as a lamp and a refuge, and do not look for refuge to anything besides yourselves.” Meaning to trust your own sight and to use self-control to reach perfection and inner peace.
Buddha was first known as Siddhartha Gautama he was from royalty background. He was born the son of a prince Shakya tribe in Nepal, in the lower Himalayan Mountains. Legend says that his mother Maya dreamt a white elephant by her side. When she woke up the future Buddha was conceived. His mother died at childbirth and was raised by his aunt. At his naming ceremony the priest explained Siddhartha would have two paths laid upon him, the first one he will become a ruler and a loved king. The second path he will see suffering and become a spiritual leader. Siddhartha’s father wanted his son to become the great ruler, he took every precaution to protect his son from viewing any suffering. He was always surrounded by luxurious items and held at the compound. He was married at a young age to a woman his father choose for him. Siddhartha was educated and trained like a warrior. One major event that affected Siddhartha, was when he escaped from the palace and noticed all the suffering of ordinary life this event was called the Four Passing Sights. By viewing this suffering at age 29, he noticed that he was being held in a pleasant prison. He escaped the life of royalty leaving everything behind. Left the palace in simple clothing, this was called the Great Going Forth. He was on a path full of unanswered questions.
The Journey:
From her Siddhartha traveled from teacher to teacher with questions and to learn the art of meditation and philosophy. But he was never satisfied with his teachings. He set out to find the answers he was looking for with 5 nomadic “seekers”. He lived a on little food, water and sleep he believed this will purify him and in the end gain spiritual powers. When he realized this method was destroying him he decided to live a path of moderation, the middle between self-indulgence and self-discipline. The event that changed Siddhartha was when he received his name. He was enlightened during one night of meditation, he entered complete awareness and he saw his past life, looked at the law of Karma and finally achieved insight into the release from suffering and death. This caused his to feel “woken up” and the name Buddha came into place. The meaning of Buddha means to “wake up”.
The Final Words:
Buddha spent the rest of his life travelling from village to village. He spread the words of his teaching and the way of life. Many people started following him and donated buildings, food and necessities. This became a big movement that created monks and later nuns. Buddha lead a very healthy life he ate in moderation, meditate often and had regular exercise. When he was 80 years old a woman name Chundra, offered the Buddha food. The food was spoiled and made Buddha very sick. Sensing that he was dying he called over his disciples and said his final words “You must be your own lamps, be your own
refuges. Take refuge in nothing outside yourselves. Hold firm to the truth as a lamp and a refuge, and do not look for refuge to anything besides yourselves.” Meaning to trust your own sight and to use self-control to reach perfection and inner peace.