Introduction to Buddhism
The term "Buddha," meaning "awakened one" or "enlightened one," is a title rather than a proper name, similar to "messiah." The Buddha of the current era, often referred to as Gotama (Pāli) or Gautam (Sanskrit), was born in the 6th or 5th century BC in the kingdom of the Sakyas, located on the borders of present-day Nepal and India. He was the son of King Suddhodana and Queen Mahāmāyā. According to Buddhist tradition, the Buddha had many previous lives, described in stories called Jātakas.
Gotama was born following a prophetic dream of his mother, which was interpreted to predict that her son would become either a universal monarch or a Buddha. After his birth, the baby was named Siddhattha (Sanskrit: Siddhāratha), meaning "one whose aim is accomplished." His mother died shortly after his birth, and he was raised by her sister, Māhāpajāpatī Gotamī. Siddhattha grew up in luxury, shielded by his father from the harsh realities of life to prevent him from becoming a wandering ascetic.
At the age of 16, Siddhattha married his cousin, Yasodharā. Despite his father's efforts to keep him immersed in worldly pleasures, Siddhattha was deeply troubled by life's suffering. This concern grew after he witnessed "The Four Signs" at the age of 29: an old man, a sick man, a dead body, and a serene ascetic. These encounters profoundly disturbed him and ignited his quest for understanding the nature of suffering.
After learning of the birth of his son, Rahula, Siddhattha decided to renounce his princely life and become an ascetic, an event known as the Great Renunciation. He left the palace, accompanied by his charioteer Channa, and sought enlightenment through extreme asceticism. However, after nearly dying from severe self-mortification, he realized that this was not the path to enlightenment and began to follow a more moderate approach, which came to be known as the Middle Way.
Siddhattha's search for truth led him to various teachers, but he found their teachings insufficient. He eventually arrived at Uruvelā (near modern Gaya), where he practiced intense meditation. One day, after receiving a meal from Sujata, the daughter of a local landowner, he sat under a pipal tree (later called the Bodhi Tree) and vowed not to rise until he achieved enlightenment.
During this meditation, he was tempted by Māra, the evil one, but overcame these temptations through his accumulated virtues. In deep meditation, he gained profound insights, including knowledge of his past lives and the nature of rebirth. Finally, he realized the Four Noble Truths, achieving supreme enlightenment at the age of 35. This awakening made him the Buddha, who would go on to teach the path to liberation from suffering.
Link for the Class: https://youtu.be/7qSMcbGSXW4
Link for the PPT: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t2qsQ8REFf84Y66T-sbT0ar4zgT6SCKR/view?usp=sharing
Today I learned about Buddha and his initial life. His mother died shortly after his birth so he was taken care of by her sister. This draws me to today's world where millions of children do not have their parents.
ReplyDeleteThe four incidents affected or disturbed Buddha and he reflected on them. This challenges me to be open to the situations and ponder over them which would discipline my life and enhance to find meaning in my life.
ReplyDeleteBuddha decided to leave home in search of a meaning . To leave home signifies to renounce everything and begin the quest for the divine .Our destiny is not in our hands , we just allow it to happen.
ReplyDeleteHappy to have the opportunity to learn Buddhism which I admire most after Catholicism, it is great to have the privilege to revise the great teachings of Buddha and learn his way towards enlightenment.
ReplyDeleteOld Age, Sickness, and death make me to question about the fragility and meaning of life but I do not have the enough zeal and thirst to seek the meaning and purpose of life.
ReplyDeleteThe life of Buddha could be an inspiration to many youngsters today because he was very determined in achieving his goals, to the extent of renouncing his worldly pleasures and honors.
ReplyDeleteWith the introduction to Buddhism, I came to know about the initial life of Buddha, and how he grew up. What most perplexed me was the term "Buddha" itself, some one "awakened"
ReplyDeleteStudying Buddha's life and inspires me to adopt his principles and values, and I strive to incorporate his wisdom into my own life and become a better version of myself
ReplyDeleteI learnt about the life of Buddha,though he was born in the wealthy family, despite he left his home and family and in search of enlightenment. The most touching part of his life i experience was the first signs which deeply touch Buddha's life.
ReplyDeleteBuddha ‘s way toward attaining the noble truths led him amid the path of suffering but only when he realized that he could defeat Mara through his determination he was able to succeed in what he wanted. I felt that unlike Buddha I must come across certain painful experiences that would lead me toward the truth.
ReplyDeleteBuddha was very determined in search of truth in his life and he never step back till he found. It is very inspiring for me to set a goal in life and never look back without achieving it.
ReplyDeleteI am learning about Buddha for the first time. What touched me about him is that he sought serenity and truth, and when King Bimbisara offered him comfort, he declined, showing his determination to seek truth and serenity, not worldly pleasure.
ReplyDeleteLearning about the noble truth of the origin of suffering I came to know vividly, where craving is the main roots of all suffering.
ReplyDeleteRemember the following text:
ReplyDeleteThe determination to achieve enlightenment without gaining satisfaction from what he had already learned from other ascetics is a virtue that could be admired in Siddhattha. Like many saints in the Catholic Church, he too faced temptations that could hinder his path to enlightenment. A question has been on my mind: Is enlightenment the end?
The urge for attaining or finding the ultimate truth is so strong that he is ready to leave anything that hinders its path. it is seen here that the severe self mortification alone can't provide enlightenment but accumulated virtues and deep meditation can.
ReplyDeleteI had studied Buddhism in my school days though not in depth.
ReplyDeleteI had always thought that Buddha was the name of a person though enlightened one but today I learnt that somebody else could have ebeen Buddha before Nuddha himself.
During Gautama’s time, many saw an old man, a sick man, a dead body, and a serene ascetic. But it was he who asked WHY?
ReplyDeleteHis desire to search for Answers lead him to ultimately find the Solutions.
A seeking mind or a questioning mind will find his answer.
I learned that the term "Buddha" means "awakened one" and is a title, not a proper name. I found it fascinating that Siddhattha, shielded from life's harsh realities, eventually rejected extreme asceticism to find enlightenment through the Middle Way. His profound meditation under the Bodhi Tree, where he achieved enlightenment and became the Buddha, deeply impressed me.
ReplyDeleteintroduction to Buddhism which gave me a broad perspective of understanding Buddhism. I was curious to know in detail about Buddhism which kept me energetic and enthusiastic. I learned many things about Buddhism which is inspiring. Especially Buddha's life and his determination to attain enlightenment.
ReplyDeleteBuddhism has a great history well known in association with Siddhartha. Siddhartha to Budha is a inspiring journey. He was shaken by the suffering of people in this world. Hence he puts much effort to overcome these suffering by meditation and teaching of different Guru's at that time.
ReplyDeleteFrom today's lesson I learnt that to gain something, we need to lose something. Even Budha had to renounce his princely life, pleasures and comforts in order to get enlightenment. I also learnt about Buddha's significant experiences that transformed him, especially the four signs.
ReplyDeleteThe topic "Introduction to Buddhism" has done great help to me. It helped me to know and understand about it in more deeply. His birth in the royal family and renouncing of his wife, child and his family and joining for the ascetic life was such a wonderful thing that I saw and came to know about him. Siddhartha's this great personality touched my heart and inspired me very much.
ReplyDeleteBuddha means awakened one or enlightened one.For Buddha The journey to truth was not easy. If I were a king, I would have enjoyed my princely life. Gautama, Shiddarttha sought enlightenment through extreme asceticism, self - mortification and renunciation. He learnt methods of meditation from his teachers. He was not satisfied. He sat under a pipal tree and achieved enlightenment. He achieved knowledge of his past lives and the nature of rebirth. He realized the four noble truth. He was enlightened and became Buddha.
ReplyDeleteBuddha's journey from a life of luxury to profound enlightenment inspires me and encourages me to overcome obstacles, and commit to personal growth and Compassion.
ReplyDeleteSiddhartha Gotama's journey from prince to Buddha reveals a profound truth: that true understanding arises from embracing suffering, not escaping it. By confronting the harsh realities of life, he discovered the Middle Way, a balanced path that transcends extremes. Under the Bodhi Tree, his meditation unveiled the Four Noble Truths, illuminating a path to liberation. His story challenges us: will we shield ourselves from life's difficulties or courageously confront them, unlocking the door to wisdom and transformation?
ReplyDeleteBudha means awakened and he left all the luxurious things in search of truth and to attain the knowledge and wisdom. I am touched by his way of thinking.
ReplyDeleteBudha is awakened one. He left all the laxurious things to attain true and knowledge
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