Basics of Buddhism - Siddhārtha Gautama

[Anne Terri]

THE BASICS OF BUDDHISM -

The Beginning - From Siddhārtha Gautama to Shakyamuni Buddha.


The Four Sights

In the beginning, Prince Siddhārtha Gautama, who would eventually become the Supreme Buddha, found life as a prince boring, and he was disillusioned. He no longer wanted to say in the palace, and decided to go see the world outside.

Four journeys were made away from the palace. This is when Siddhārtha Gautama saw four things which would bring about change in his life.

First he saw sickness, old age and death. This happened on the first three journeys. He found himself asking, 'How can I enjoy a life of pleasure when there is so much suffering in the world?'

It was during his fourth sojourn away from the palace that he came up with a way to live, for he like the monk he had met along the way, wanted to help the world, and end the suffering. This monk had given up everything. So Siddhārtha Gautama said to himself. 'I shall be like him.'

Renunciation

Siddhārtha Gautama now leave his kingdom and family. He renounces an connection to the world, and even cuts off his hair, as an outward sign. Dressed in rags, he goes from place to place searching for the Truth. There were many wise men along the way, and with them he studied. Yet, they had not what he searched for, which was a way to end the suffering in the world.

At this time, he meditated, and ate little to sustain life. His diet consisted of fruit, and the the roots and leaves. In doing this
he practices what they call severe asceticism, religious practices that involve hardship. He often chose to fast. Even though he left all behind and endured what he thought would bring him the answer, he found this was not enough. After this, he realized there was more. He began to eat, for he needed strength.

Enlightenment

It was May and as Gautama sat under the Bodhi tree, he meditated.
his deep thoughts under the full moon, which gave way to enlightenment. He made an internal pledge; while thinking.

'I will not leave this spot until I find an end to suffering.'

Siddhārtha Gautama visited by Mara, who is called the evil one. He was an evil tempter, who had arrived to lead him away from all he sought in the way of virtue. This encounter of temptation occurred in the night.


Mara sent his beautiful daughters, trying to tempt Gautama into receiving pleasure. His bolts of lightning came next with wind and a temptous rain. This demon then brought forward armies of demonic fashion who held weapons and rocks which were on fire.

The key being saved was Virtue, which is how Siddhārtha Gautama brought an end to this demonic onslaught.

At this moment, Siddhārtha Gautama had an epithany, which gave him the answer to how suffering was caused and the way to get rid of it. Through this wisdom of the most supreme, he became:

THE BUDDAH.

As 'The Awakened One', his name changed to
Shakyamuni Buddha

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Next

SHAKYAMUNI BUDDHA TEACHES

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