The Life of the Buddha The Story of a Hindu Prince
The Birth of a Prince Queen Mahamaya and King Suddhodana had a son and named him SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA The prince was born while his mother was on a journey to her father's home. A Brahmin (Hindu priest) prophesized that Siddhartha would become EITHER a great worldly leader OR a great spiritual leader. What would you want for your child?
The Life of a Prince King Suddhodana sheltered Prince Siddhartha from all suffering No old or sick people in the kingdom Best tutors 3 homes for to avoid the wet, hot and cool seasons Concerts Games and sports WHY? To shelter the Buddha from life's suffering so that he will NOT become a spiritual leader
The Prince wants to see his Kingdom So he journeys out of his palace walls His father tries to orchestrate a "perfect kingdom" BUT Prince Siddhartha notices these THE FOUR SIGHTS while walking with his servant, Channa. THE FOUR SIGHTS are 1. An old man 2. A sick man 3. A man who has died 4. An ascetic monk (recall the Hindu stage of life where you leave your home to wander on a spiritual journey)
The Four Sights was a Turning Point Prince Siddhartha had never seen such suffering. Perhaps this heightened his reaction to the four sights. After his son was born, with great pain, he left his kingdom to search for the END OF SUFFERING. This was against the Hindu tradition of fulfilling his stage in life as a father/homemaker and his caste as a King.
Joins the ascetic monks Prince Siddhartha joins the Hindu spiritual monks who fasted for weeks and gave up all of life's pleasures in search of the end of suffering. Prince Siddhartha was so thin from fasting and on the brink of death when a young girl offered the Prince food. He took the food and the other monks rejected him because they believed the Prince had given up on this spiritual quest.
After eating, the Buddha had a revelation! THE MIDDLE WAY! The Middle Way Starvation caused suffering it didn't end it A life of a lavish king did not stop the Buddha from suffering that happiness was only an illusion (Maya) The REAL PATH TO TRUE HAPPINESS is the MIDDLE WAY (the choice between two extremes)
Meditation to Nirvana Prince Siddhartha continued to meditate under a Bodhi tree (now an iconic symbol for Buddhism). While meditating, he came to some very important realizations All things are interconnected. All things are ONE perfect unity (ex: a leaf would not exist without the earth, the sun, the air, animals a leaf encompasses all things) Suffering comes from attachment, and attachment is futile because all things are impermanent. Temptation while meditation Legend says he experienced temptations from the demon, Mara: beautiful women, warrior demons wanting to fight. Despite the temptation, the Buddha reached NIRVANA true enlightenment, knowing the impermanent nature of our world which frees us from suffering.
After Enlightenment: TEACH! So what does an enlightened being do? Sit back and relax!?? NOPE! Prince Siddhartha decided to share his knowledge with the world. His is now called "The Buddha"--The enlightened one. The Hindu monks who rejected him now sensed that he was an enlightened being; his first disciples. They are the Sangha (community of monks) The Buddha's philosophy is called the "Dharhma" which means "the path" which leads to enlightenment "The Buddha", "The Sangha" and "The Dharma" are the THREE JEWELS OF BUDDHISM.
Summary Questions 1. In the story of Prince Siddhartha, why was it so important for him to experience the life of the prince AND the life of an ascetic monk? 2. What did the Buddha decide to do after seeing "The Four Sights"? 3. Recall the life of Jesus. Can you find any significant similarities?