Download 1. Life of the Buddha Questions

Year 11 to 12 Buddhism Preparation Life of the Buddha
Namaste Oriental Philosophers!
This is an introduction to the life of Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha after
his enlightenment.
Complete the following task
1. Read the attached biography of Siddhartha (Document 2), then…..
2. Make a timeline of the Buddha’s life – include the key points of his conception,
birth and early life. Include the reason he was kept in the Palace and the Four
Sights – (those people who Siddhartha saw when he went out of the Palace
that led to his departure). Then you need the experiences that led to his
enlightenment, what he did after that and then finally the circumstances and
location of his death
Now answer the following questions in full sentences based on your reading:
1. What was unusual about Siddhartha’s birth?
2. Why did King Shuddodana try to keep his son inside the Palace? Do you think
that this could have worked?
3. What was so important about Siddhartha’s journey outside the Palace and the
people that he saw?
4. Why do you think that this had such a profound effect on the young
Siddhartha and led him to leave his wife and baby son?
5. Do you think that his departure was selfish, what about his wife and baby
son?
6. What do you think Siddhartha learnt during the years of asceticism? If you are
not sure what asceticism means then look it up to be sure
7. After his enlightenment, why did the Buddha not want to teach what he had
learnt?
8. What did the Buddha teach at the Deer Park Sermon?
9. What is the sangha?
10. What do you think the last words of the Buddha meant?
Now read Document 3.The Buddha and the Fundamental Doctrines of Buddhism
Then answer the following question based on your reading of Document 3,
‘Buddhism - The Buddha and the Fundamental Doctrines of Buddhism’
11. From a philosophical and reflective perspective evaluate what you think was
the intention of this life story?
This means to think carefully about the reading and work out what you think the point
of this story is. There are many mythological aspects that surround the stories,
remember ‘myth’ does not mean ‘untrue’ but meaning and significance becomes
important here. What is the point of the mythology? At the same time the Buddha is
shown as a man, he lived and suffered and dies probably from food poisoning. How
do these aspects affect Buddhist belief?
This should be between 300 and 500 words
And finally
12. Research the life story of at least one other religious leader. Look for common
features
What do you think is the importance of this type of life story in relation to religion?
What is the link between the founder and the religion? What is the point of these
stories?