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Buddhism and Siddhartha Gautama
How Siddhartha becomes the Buddha
There was once a king named Suddhodana and a queen named Mahamaya who lived in the city of
Kapilavastu in the sixth century B.C. One day, as the queen was resting in her palace, she dreamt
that a white elephant carrying a white lotus in its trunk entered her right side. Sometime later, a
baby was born to the queen. He was named Siddhartha Gautama. A group of astrologers predicted that the young
prince would grow up to be either a great emperor, or that he would turn his back on privilege and power to become a
great spiritual leader. The prince grew up within the palace walls, having no contact with the outside world. He learnt the
skills and engaged in the pastimes of princes. Prince Siddhartha married a beautiful princess named Yashodhara and they
had a son. The little boy was named Rahula. (Name means ball and chain!) They all lived happily together within the
world of wealth and power.
Until one day, when Prince Siddhartha finally persuaded his father to let him go outside the palace walls to see the city.
What Siddhartha did not know was that his father had ordered the city streets cleared of anyone who was old or sick. So
when Siddhartha and his groom set out for their tour of the city in chariots they saw many young and happy people.
However, they also happened upon a feeble old man who was lying at the side of the road.
As this was different from anything Siddhartha had ever seen before, he asked someone to explain what was wrong with
the man. It was only then that Siddhartha learned about how people get old. Siddhartha was very moved by the suffering
of the old man. He journeyed out into the city three more times and saw a sick man, a dead man and a sage. These visits
led to his realizing the fundamental truths of life.
At the edge of the city, he took off his princely robes, cut his hair and sent his groom back to the palace with his horse.
Siddhartha wandered for six years seeking understanding. He studying from different gurus and yogis. Siddhartha studied
and practiced asceticism for six years coming close to death. However, this did not bring him satisfaction or greater
understanding. Finally, Siddhartha settled under a tree to meditate.
While he sat under the tree, Mara (Hindu Demons) came to tempt him. However, he resisted them. After many days of
meditating, a village girl named Sujata offered milk and rice pudding. Siddhartha accepted. He realized the Middle Path
(Moderation) Siddhartha achieved Enlightenment. From that point, he was known as the Buddha.
What were the Buddha's fundamental truths of life?
These truths are: all men who are born eventually have to die, sickness comes to all men, old age comes to all men, and
renouncing worldly possessions is the way to attaining peace and salvation.
What was the process for SG to become Enlightened
Buddhism is a religion to about 300 million people around the world. The word comes from 'budhi', 'to awaken'. It has its origins
about 2,500 years ago when Siddhartha Gautama , known as the Buddha, was himself awakened (enlightened) at the age of 35.
Siddhartha Gautama was born into a royal family in Lumbini, now located in Nepal, in 563 BC. At 29, he realized that wealth
and luxury did not guarantee happiness, so he explored the different teachings religions and philosophies of the day, to find the
key to human happiness. He studies with many Yogi's and Gurus. This included years of asceticism. After six years of study and
meditation he finally found 'the Middle Path' and was enlightened. After enlightenment, the Buddha (Which means the
enlightened one, Awaken, Dhamma) spent the rest of his life teaching the principles of Buddhism — called the Dhamma, or
Truth — until his death at the age of 80.
• Is Buddhism a Religion?
Buddhism can be considered a philosophy in that Buhhdism stress reason and practice as opposed faith and salvation common to
Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Buddhism explains a purpose to life, it explains apparent injustice and inequality around the
world, and it provides a code of practice or way of life.
• What are the political, religious and social reasons that explains the expansion of Buddhism?
Buddhism is became popular for both political, religious and social reasons, Politically Monks spread the word into China,
Japan, Korea all during low points in each country's history. China adopted Buddhism as the states 'official religion (Tang
Dynasty) Socially Buddhism has answers to many of the problems in societies (poverty, discrimination) . Buddhism rejects the
caste system. It also includes a deep understanding of the human mind (and natural therapies). Through meditation Buddhist
monks can reduce their breathing and heart beat. They can survive a night outside in the freezing cold with no injury or damage
to the body
• Was the Buddha a God?
He was not, nor did he claim to be. He was a man who taught a path to enlightenment from his own experience.
• Do Buddhists Worship Idols?
Buddhists sometimes pay respect to images of the Buddha, not in worship, nor to ask for favours. A statue of the Buddha with
hands rested gently in its lap and a compassionate smile reminds us to strive to develop peace and love within ourselves. Bowing
to the statue is an expression of gratitude for the teaching.
• What is Buddhism's philosophy of wealth?
One of the Buddhist teachings is that wealth does not guarantee happiness and also wealth is impermanent. The people of every
country suffer whether rich or poor, but those who understand Buddhist teachings can find true happiness.
• What factors cause the different types of Buddhism? What concept remains constant?
There are many different types of Buddhism, because the emphasis changes from country to country due to customs and culture.
What does not vary is the essence of the teaching — the Dhamma or truth.
• How does Buddhism differ from other religions?
Buddhism is also a belief system which is tolerant of all other beliefs or religions. Buddhism agrees with the moral teachings of
other religions but Buddhism goes further by providing a long term purpose within our existence, through wisdom and true
understanding. Real Buddhism is very tolerant and not concerned with labels like 'Christian', 'Moslem', 'Hindu' or 'Buddhist'; that
is why there have never been any wars fought in the name of Buddhism. That is why Buddhists do not preach and try to convert,
only explain if an explanation is sought.
• The Buddha's teachings: The Buddha taught many things, but the basic concepts in Buddhism can be summed up by the Four
Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path.
• First Noble Truth
The first truth is that life is suffering i.e., life includes pain, getting old, disease, and ultimately death. We also endure
psychological suffering like loneliness frustration, fear, embarrassment, disappointment and anger. This is an irrefutable fact that
cannot be denied. It is realistic rather than pessimistic because pessimism is expecting things to be bad. lnstead, Buddhism
explains how suffering can be avoided and how we can be truly happy.
• Second Noble Truth
The second truth is that suffering is caused by craving and aversion. We will suffer if we expect other people to conform to our
expectation, if we want others to like us, if we do not get something we want,etc. In other words, getting what you want does not
guarantee happiness. Rather than constantly struggling to get what you want, try to modify your wanting. Wanting deprives us of
contentment and happiness. A lifetime of wanting and craving and especially the craving to continue to exist, creates a powerful
energy which causes the individual to be born. So craving leads to physical suffering because it causes us to be reborn.
• Third Noble Truth
The third truth is that suffering can be overcome and happiness can be attained; that true happiness and contentment are possible.
lf we give up useless craving and learn to live each day at a time (not dwelling in the past or the imagined future) then we can
become happy and free. We then have more time and energy to help others. This is Nirvana. (final release from the cycle of
reincarnation attained by extinction of all desires and individual ...)
• Fourth Noble Truth
The fourth truth is that the Noble 8-fold Path is the path which leads to the end of suffering.
• Noble 8-Fold Path?
In summary, the Noble 8-fold Path is being moral (through what we say, do and our livelihood), focusing the mind on being fully
aware of our thoughts and actions, and developing wisdom by understanding the Four Noble Truths and by developing
compassion for others.
• 5 Precepts
The moral code within Buddhism is the precepts, of which the main five are: not to take the life of anything living, not to take
anything not freely given, to abstain from sexual misconduct and sensual overindulgence, to refrain from untrue speech, and to
avoid intoxication, that is, losing mindfulness.