Buddha's life story has been told
by many. The facts vary from one retelling to the next, but the story of the
founder of Buddhism is about the path to enlightenment, not about earthly
specifics. Buddha's message is one of love: "You can search throughout the
entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection
than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You
yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and
affection."
Destined for Greatness
The birth and death dates of Siddhartha Gautama, commonly
referred to as Buddha, are uncertain. He is said to have been born either in
563 B.C. or 480 B.C., but, in either case, he lived for 80 years.
Gautama was born in Lumbini, or modern-day Nepal, then
raised in Kapilavastu, the Shakya capital, which is either modern-day
Tilaurakot, Nepal, or Piprahwa, India. His given name, Siddhartha, means
"he who achieves his aim."
Gautama's father was King Suddhodana, who ruled over the
Shakya clan. His mother died seven days after his birth; he was raised by his
mother's sister, Maha Pajapati.
A holy man prophesied great things for young Gautama - that
he would be a great king or a military leader.
As Buddha, in later years,
Gautama himself said, "I was born into the world as the king of truth for
the salvation of the world."
A Sheltered Youth
Gautama's father decided to shield his son from the misery
and suffering of the world, raising him in opulence in a palace, or, according
to some versions of the story, in three palaces equipped for seasonal use.
Gautama was also protected from knowledge of any religion.
Gautama was married at 16 - an arranged marriage with a
cousin of the same age, named Yasodhara. They had a son, Rahula, and Gautama
continued his life of seclusion for thirteen more years.
At the age of 29, Gautama ventured out of the palace with
his charioteer, Channa. When Gautama saw an old man, a diseased man, a decaying
corpse, and an ascetic, he realized that he knew little of the world. Channa
explained to him that people get old and they die, and that the ascetic had
renounced the world to seek release from his human fear of death and suffering.
Gautama decided to leave the kingdom, his wife, and his son
to live an ascetic life and find a way to relieve the suffering of humanity.
For a time he was a student under two hermit teachers - first Alara Kalama,
then Udaka Ramaputta - both of whom practiced yogic meditation.
Gautama spent six years as an ascetic. He practiced with
five other ascetics, who became his followers because they admired his
dedication. Dissatisfied because no answers were forthcoming, Gautama increased
his effort by fasting, enduring pain, and refusing water. He nearly drowned in
a river while bathing, because he was so weak, but a young girl rescued him and
offered him a bowl of rice or payasam pudding. This gesture made Gautama
realize that deprivation was not the path to inner liberation. He ate the rice
or pudding, drank some water, and bathed in the river. His five followers
abandoned him, thinking he had given up on his quest.
Finding the Middle Way
He meditated for 49 days, saw his previous lives, and
resisted the threats of Mara, an evil demon, who tried to disrupt his progress.
Gautama touched his hand to the ground and asked Earth to bear witness to his
enlightenment, and the Earth banished Mara.
"The mind is everything. What
you think you become," he said. In a moment of pure enlightenment, at the
age of 35, Gautama became Buddha.
The Journey of Buddha
Buddha was hesitant to teach at first, believing his
knowledge could not be communicated through words. Brahma Sahampati, a deity,
convinced him to try.
Buddha found his five former followers and preached his
first sermon - "Setting in Motion the Wheel of the Dharma." He
explained to them about the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path,
both central to Buddhism. The Noble Eightfold Path is the fourth of the Four
Noble Truths, but the first item on the Eightfold Path is understanding the
Four Noble Truths. One cannot exist without the other.
The five men became his disciples and formed the foundation
of the sangha, or community of monks. Many others joined as word spread. Anyone
who truly desired to reach enlightenment was welcomed, regardless of class,
race, or previous background.
When Buddha returned home, his father celebrated with a
feast. His son, Rahula, joined the Buddhist monks known as sanga at age seven.
Maha Pajapati, the aunt who raised him, asked to join the sangha as well, but
Buddha refused her. She and a group of royal ladies followed the sangha anyway,
for five years, until Buddha reconsidered and ordained them as nuns.
Buddha traveled throughout the countryside, sharing his
wisdom with anyone who would listen, gathering more sangha along the way.
Final Days of Buddha
At the age of 80, Buddha announced that he would soon reach
Parinirvana, or the final deathless state, and that he would abandon his
earthly body. He said, "Even death is not to be feared by one who has
lived wisely." He instructed his disciples to follow no leader.
Following the death of Buddha, his teachings were passed
down by oral tradition. Four hundred years later, his words were preserved in
writing for the first time. As a result, any quote attributed to Buddha must be
appreciated for its content, not as his precise words.
The Four Noble Truths
The first Noble Truth is Dukkha - the concept that all
temporary things and states are unsatisfying.
The second Noble Truth is the origin of Dukkha - the fact
that we crave things, so we are constantly reborn.
The third Noble Truth is the cessation of Dukkha - if we
stop craving and clinging, we won't be reborn. he third Noble Truth is the
cessation of Dukkha - if we stop craving and clinging, we won't be reborn.
The fourth Noble Truth shows the way to liberation from
Dukkha - follow the Noble Eightfold Path, behave decently, don't act on
impulses, practice mindfulness and meditation.
Buddha said, "Better than worshiping gods is obedience
to the laws of righteousness."
The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best
one knows.
Buddha
The Noble Eightfold Path
The Eightfold Path is represented by spokes on a Dharma
wheel. Sometimes the eight items are grouped into three divisions.
The first division, Wisdom, is made up of right view and
right intention.
The second division, Ethical Conduct, is made up of right
speech, right action, and right livelihood.
The third division, Concentration, is made up of right
effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.
Buddha said, "He who walks in the Eightfold Noble Path
with unswerving determination is sure to reach Nirvana."
Simple Truths
Truth was a simple concept for Buddha: "Three things
cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth."
In some versions of Buddha's story, he is depicted with
super natural abilities, including a painless birth following a miraculous
conception, no need for sleep or food, no need for bathing except by choice to
conform with the world, omniscience, and the ability to suppress karma.
Buddha valued virtue and peace. "Just as treasures are
uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears
from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life,
one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue," he said.
Buddha was not chubby, as he is often depicted in statues.
This artistic choice stems from the fact that chubbiness is symbolic of
happiness in the east. Buddha practiced moderation, plus he spent most of his
days walking and spreading his philosophy. Buddha said, "To keep the body
in good health is a duty... otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind
strong and clear."
Buddhism may be practiced in a temple or at home. The path to
enlightenment is available to everyone. "No one saves us but ourselves. No
one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path." Buddha said.
Buddha shared his love and wisdom with as many people as
possible over the course of his life. "Thousands of candles can be lighted
from a single candle," he said, "and the life of the candle will not
be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared."
Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future,
concentrate the mind on the present moment.
Buddha
No one saves us but
ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path. - Buddha
Health is the
greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best
relationship. - Buddha
Three things cannot
be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth. - Buddha
You can search throughout the entire universe for someone
who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and
that person is not to be found anywhere. You yourself, as much as anybody in
the entire universe deserve your love and affection.
Buddha
To keep the body in good health is a duty... otherwise we
shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.
Buddha
The mind is
everything. What you think you become. - Buddha
We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When
the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.
Buddha
To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one's
family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control one's own
mind. If a man can control his mind he can find the way to Enlightenment, and
all wisdom and virtue will naturally come to him.
Buddha
Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle,
and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by
being shared.
Buddha
Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue
appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To
walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and
the guidance of virtue.
Buddha
However many holy words you read, however many you speak,
what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them?
Buddha
It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand
battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels
or by demons, heaven or hell.
Buddha
Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others.
Buddha
There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to
truth; not going all the way, and not starting.
Buddha
Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live
without a spiritual life.
Buddha
Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.
Buddha
You will not be punished for your anger, you will be
punished by your anger.
Buddha
With fools, there is no companionship. Rather than to live
with men who are selfish, vain, quarrelsome, and obstinate, let a man walk
alone.
Buddha
You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe,
deserve your love and affection.
Buddha
Charity bestowed upon those who are worthy of it is like
good seed sown on a good soil that yields an abundance of fruits. But alms
given to those who are yet under the tyrannical yoke of the passions are like
seed deposited in a bad soil. The passions of the receiver of the alms choke,
as it were, the growth of merits.
Buddha
To be idle is a short road to death and to be diligent is a
way of life; foolish people are idle, wise people are diligent.
Buddha
Do not overrate what you have received, nor envy others. He
who envies others does not obtain peace of mind.
Buddha
In a controversy the instant we feel anger we have already
ceased striving for the truth, and have begun striving for ourselves.
Buddha
Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is
the eternal rule.
Buddha
Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings
peace.
Buddha
Those who are free of resentful thoughts surely find peace.
Buddha
It is better to travel well than to arrive.
Buddha
We are what we think. All that we are arises with our
thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.
Buddha
He who gives away shall have real gain. He who subdues
himself shall be free; he shall cease to be a slave of passions. The righteous
man casts off evil, and by rooting out lust, bitterness, and illusion do we
reach Nirvana.
Buddha
The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best
one knows.
Buddha
Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely.
Buddha
When one has the feeling of dislike for evil, when one feels
tranquil, one finds pleasure in listening to good teachings; when one has these
feelings and appreciates them, one is free of fear.
Buddha
A woman of the world is anxious to exhibit her form and
shape, whether walking, standing, sitting, or sleeping. Even when represented
as a picture, she desires to captivate with the charms of her beauty and, thus,
to rob men of their steadfast heart.
Buddha
What we think, we become.
Buddha
Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care for
people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill.
Buddha
Unity can only be manifested by the Binary. Unity itself and
the idea of Unity are already two.
Buddha
Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent
of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.
Buddha
It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe that lures him
to evil ways.
Buddha
To live a pure unselfish life, one must count nothing as
one's own in the midst of abundance.
Buddha
The foolish man conceives the idea of 'self.' The wise man
sees there is no ground on which to build the idea of 'self;' thus, he has a
right conception of the world and well concludes that all compounds amassed by
sorrow will be dissolved again, but the truth will remain.
Buddha
I am not the first Buddha who came upon Earth, nor shall I
be the last. In due time, another Buddha will arise in the world - a Holy One,
a supremely enlightened One, endowed with wisdom in conduct, auspicious,
knowing the universe, an incomparable leader of men, a master of angels and
mortals.
Buddha
