Transcript The Life of the Buddha

The Life of the Buddha
Part – 1
The Life of the Buddha
• Birth
• Early years
• Renunciation
• After Enlightenment
The Life of the Buddha
• Birth
• Early years
• Renunciation
• After Enlightenment
The Life of the Buddha
• Birth
• Early years
• Renunciation
• After Enlightenment
The Life of the Buddha
• Birth
• Early years
• Renunciation
• After Enlightenment
The Life of the Buddha
• Birth
• Early years
• Renunciation
• After Enlightenment
The Life of the Buddha
We should try to discern between :
• Facts
• Legends
• Symbolism
This will avoid confusion and allow
us to better understand the Buddha
and His teachings.
The Life of the Buddha
We should try to discern between :
• Facts
• Legends
• Symbolism
This will avoid confusion and allow
us to better understand the Buddha
and His teachings.
The Life of the Buddha
We should try to discern between :
• Facts
• Legends
• Symbolism
This will avoid confusion and allow
us to better understand the Buddha
and His teachings.
The Life of the Buddha
We should try to discern between :
• Facts
• Legends
• Symbolism
This will avoid confusion and allow
us to better understand the Buddha
and His teachings.
The Life of the Buddha
We should try to discern between :
• Facts
• Legends
• Symbolism
This will avoid confusion and allow
us to better understand the Buddha
and His teachings.
Birth
The Buddha means “the Awakened
One” or “the Enlightened One”.
This is not a name but a term or
description of someone who has
attained enlightenment – “bodhi”.
Siddhattha Gotama :
Siddhattha is the personal name and
means “wish-fulfilled”. Gotama is the
family name.
Birth
The Buddha means “the Awakened
One” or “the Enlightened One”.
This is not a name but a term or
description of someone who has
attained enlightenment – “Bodhi”.
Siddhattha Gotama :
Siddhattha is the personal name and
means “wish-fulfilled”. Gotama is the
family name.
Birth
The Buddha means “the Awakened
One” or “the Enlightened One”.
This is not a name but a term or
description of someone who has
attained enlightenment – “Bodhi”.
Siddhattha Gotama :
Siddhattha is the personal name and
means “wish-fulfilled”. Gotama is the
family name.
Birth
The Buddha means “the Awakened
One” or “the Enlightened One”.
This is not a name but a term or
description of someone who has
attained enlightenment – “Bodhi”.
Siddhattha Gotama :
Siddhattha is the personal name and
means “wish-fulfilled”. Gotama is the
family name.
Birth
Sakyamuni Buddha :
Sakya is the clan name and also the
name of the region where the Buddha
was born. Muni means sage.
Therefore, Sakyamuni means sage of
the Sakya clan. Sakyamuni Buddha
simply denotes the current Buddha of
our age.
Birth
Sakyamuni Buddha :
Sakya is the clan name and also the
name of the region where the Buddha
was born. Muni means sage.
Therefore, Sakyamuni means sage of
the Sakya clan. Sakyamuni Buddha
simply denotes the current Buddha of
our age.
Birth
Sakyamuni Buddha :
Sakya is the clan name and also the
name of the region where the Buddha
was born. Muni means sage.
Therefore, Sakyamuni means sage of
the Sakya clan. Sakyamuni Buddha
simply denotes the current Buddha of
our age.
Birth
A Bodhisattva is a being who is dedicated
to and bound for enlightenment. In
Theravada Buddhism, this term is used
only for Buddhas before they attain
enlightenment.
The term Bodhisattva has a different
connotation in Mahayana Buddhism where
there are many Bodhisattvas, or beings
who have postponed enlightenment to help
other beings.
Birth
A Bodhisattva is a being who is dedicated
to and bound for enlightenment. In
Theravada Buddhism, this term is used
only for Buddhas before they attain
enlightenment.
The term Bodhisattva has a different
connotation in Mahayana Buddhism where
there are many Bodhisattvas, or beings
who have postponed enlightenment to help
other beings.
Birth
Historians are unsure as to the exact
date of the birth of Siddhattha Gotama,
the Buddha-to-be. Estimates range
from 566 BCE to 490 BCE.
Siddhattha Gotama was born in Lumbini
in the Sakya country, a small protectorate
or principality, and raised in the town of
Kapilavatthu, both of which are in
modern day Nepal.
Birth
Historians are unsure as to the exact
date of the birth of Siddhattha Gotama,
the Buddha-to-be. Estimates range
from 566 BCE to 490 BCE.
Siddhattha Gotama was born in Lumbini
in the Sakya country, a small protectorate
or principality, and raised in the town of
Kapilavatthu, both of which are in
modern day Nepal.
Birth
His father was King Suddhodana, the
chief of the Sakya clan and His mother
was Queen Maha Maya. They were
childless for a long time.
On the night Siddhattha was conceived,
the Queen dreamt that a white elephant
with six white tusks entered her right
side, and ten months later the
Bodhisattva was born.
Birth
His father was King Suddhodana, the
chief of the Sakya clan and His mother
was Queen Maha Maya. They were
childless for a long time.
On the night Siddhattha was conceived,
the Queen dreamt that a white elephant
with six white tusks entered her right
side, and ten months later the
Bodhisattva was born.
Birth
When Queen Maya became pregnant,
she left Kapilavatthu for her father's
kingdom to give birth. However, she
gave birth on the way, at Lumbini.
According to tradition, she gave birth
while standing up, with the infant
emerging from the side of her body.
She died soon after and the infant was
looked after by her sister, Maha Pajapati,
who was also married to the King.
Birth
When Queen Maya became pregnant,
she left Kapilavatthu for her father's
kingdom to give birth. However, she
gave birth on the way, at Lumbini.
According to tradition, she gave birth
while standing up, with the infant
emerging from the side of her body.
She died soon after and the infant was
looked after by her sister, Maha Pajapati,
who was also married to the King.
Birth
When Queen Maya became pregnant,
she left Kapilavatthu for her father's
kingdom to give birth. However, she
gave birth on the way, at Lumbini.
According to tradition, she gave birth
while standing up, with the infant
emerging from the side of her body.
She died soon after and the infant was
looked after by her sister, Maha Pajapati,
who was also married to the King.
Birth
The infant then started to walk taking
seven steps, with a lotus appearing at his
feet with each step, and declared that
this is His last birth.
This is likely a later addition to the story,
but may be taken symbolically to mean
that the Bodhisattva had already
successfully cultivated the 7 Factors of
Enlightenment in His past lives.
Symbolism
An example is the Mahayana
Goddess of Mercy : Kuan Yin.
Eleven heads symbolizes the ability
to hear the cries of suffering beings.
Thousand arms symbolizes the
ability to come to the aid of many.
Symbolism
An example is the Mahayana
Goddess of Mercy : Kuan Yin.
Eleven heads symbolizes the ability
to hear the cries of suffering beings.
Thousand arms symbolizes the
ability to come to the aid of many.
Symbolism
An example is the Mahayana
Goddess of Mercy : Kuan Yin.
Eleven heads symbolizes the ability
to hear the cries of suffering beings.
Thousand arms symbolizes the
ability to come to the aid of many.
Birth
The infant then started to walk taking
seven steps, with a lotus appearing at his
feet with each step, and declared that
this is His last birth.
This is likely a later addition to the story,
but may be taken symbolically to mean
that the Bodhisattva had already
successfully cultivated the 7 Factors of
Enlightenment in His past lives.
Birth
During the birth celebrations, Asita a
highly attained ascetic, visited the palace
and was the first to predict that the infant
would be a great spiritual teacher.
On the 5th day after the birth, 8 renowned
holy men were invited to the naming
ceremony. On examining the infant, 7
predicted that he would be either a world
monarch or a Buddha. Only 1 of them
declared that he would be a Buddha only.
Birth
During the birth celebrations, Asita a
highly attained ascetic, visited the palace
and was the first to predict that the infant
would be a great spiritual teacher.
On the 5th day after the birth, 8 renowned
holy men were invited to the naming
ceremony. On examining the infant, 7
predicted that he would be either a world
monarch or a Buddha. Only 1 of them
declared that he would be a Buddha only.
Early Years
King Suddhodana wanted his son to be a
universal monarch instead of a Buddha.
He thus shielded him from the realities of
life by building him 3 palaces, one for the
hot season, one for the cold season and
one for the rainy season.
The Bodhisattva married his cousin,
Princess Yasodhara, at the age of 16,
and led a luxurious life in his 3 palaces.
Early Years
King Suddhodana wanted his son to be a
universal monarch instead of a Buddha.
He thus shielded him from the realities of
life by building him 3 palaces, one for the
hot season, one for the cold season and
one for the rainy season.
The Bodhisattva married his cousin,
Princess Yasodhara, at the age of 16,
and led a luxurious life in his 3 palaces.
Early Years
King Suddhodana wanted his son to be a
universal monarch instead of a Buddha.
He thus shielded him from the realities of
life by building him 3 palaces, one for the
hot season, one for the cold season and
one for the rainy season.
The Bodhisattva married his cousin,
Princess Yasodhara, at the age of 16,
and led a luxurious life in his 3 palaces.
Early Years
According to legend, no old or sick
people were allowed to be seen by the
Prince. Even dead leaves fallen from
trees had to be quickly removed so that
he would not see them.
This is because the King was afraid that
seeing the harsh realities of life and death
would cause him to renounce the world
and take the spiritual path.
Early Years
According to legend, no old or sick
people were allowed to be seen by the
Prince. Even dead leaves fallen from
trees had to be quickly removed so that
he would not see them.
This is because the King was afraid that
seeing the harsh realities of life and death
would cause him to renounce the world
and take the spiritual path.
Early Years
But despite the best efforts of his father to
keep away the sick, old and dying, the
Prince was shown these sights by the
Devas when he visited the town.
The Prince subsequently renounced and
left the palace in the dead of the night
with his horse and charioteer, with the
Devas suppressing all the noise so that
no one would be awakened.
Early Years
But despite the best efforts of his father to
keep away the sick, old and dying, the
Prince was shown these sights by the
Devas when he visited the town.
The Prince subsequently renounced and
left the palace in the dead of the night
with his horse and charioteer, with the
Devas suppressing all the noise so that
no one would be awakened.
Early Years
However, it more likely that the Prince
realized these truths by himself and
began to contemplate them on his own.
This was an age where leaving home on
spiritual quests was an established part
of Indian culture (Brahmins/Sramanas).
Therefore, the Prince renouncing was
painful to his family, but not uncommon.
Early Years
However, it more likely that the Prince
realized these truths by himself and
began to contemplate them on his own.
This was an age where leaving home on
spiritual quests was an established part
of Indian culture (Brahmins/Sramanas).
Therefore, the Prince renouncing was
painful to his family, but not uncommon.
Early Years
However, it more likely that the Prince
realized these truths by himself and
began to contemplate them on his own.
This was an age where leaving home on
spiritual quests was an established part
of Indian culture (Brahmins/Sramanas).
Therefore, the Prince renouncing was
painful to his family, but not uncommon.
Early Years
Ariyapariyesana Sutta MN. 26
"So, at a later time, while still young, a blackhaired young man endowed with the
blessings of youth in the first stage of life;
and while my parents, unwilling, were crying
with tears streaming down their faces;
I shaved off my hair & beard, put on the
ochre robe and went forth from the home life
into homelessness.”
Early Years
Ariyapariyesana Sutta MN. 26
"So, at a later time, while still young, a blackhaired young man endowed with the
blessings of youth in the first stage of life;
and while my parents, unwilling, were crying
with tears streaming down their faces;
I shaved off my hair & beard, put on the
ochre robe and went forth from the home life
into homelessness.”
Early Years
Ariyapariyesana Sutta MN. 26
"So, at a later time, while still young, a blackhaired young man endowed with the
blessings of youth in the first stage of life;
and while my parents, unwilling, were crying
with tears streaming down their faces;
I shaved off my hair & beard, put on the
ochre robe and went forth from the home life
into homelessness.”
Early Years
Ariyapariyesana Sutta MN. 26
"So, at a later time, while still young, a blackhaired young man endowed with the
blessings of youth in the first stage of life;
and while my parents, unwilling, were crying
with tears streaming down their faces;
I shaved off my hair & beard, put on the
ochre robe and went forth from the home life
into homelessness.”
Early Years
Leaving his wife and infant son, Rahula,
the Prince then began a life of spiritual
wandering to seek the truths of existence
and the way out of suffering from the
endless rounds of existence, Samsara.
In effect, he became one the Sramanas,
the wandering ascetics or spiritual
seekers, common in ancient India during
that period of time.
Early Years
Leaving his wife and infant son, Rahula,
the Prince then began a life of spiritual
wandering to seek the truths of existence
and the way out of suffering from the
endless rounds of existence, Samsara.
In effect, he became one the Sramanas,
the wandering ascetics or spiritual
seekers, common in ancient India during
that period of time.
Prepared by T Y Lee
www.justbegood.net