Life of Buddha

Introduction

Siddhartha Gautama, traditionally dated to approximately 563 – 483 BCE, was a spiritual teacher from ancient India and the founder of Buddhism. Revered as the Buddha (“the awakened one”), he is recognized by Buddhists as an enlightened being who attained complete liberation (Nirvana) and taught others the path to achieve the same. Born into a royal family, Siddhartha renounced his privileged life to seek an end to suffering. His teachings, centered on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, form the core of Buddhist philosophy and have profoundly influenced spirituality and thought across the globe for over two millennia.

Early Life and Prophecy

Siddhartha Gautama was born in Lumbini, near the border of modern-day Nepal and India. His father was Śuddhodana, an elected chief of the Shakya clan, and his mother was Queen Māyā. According to Buddhist tradition, Queen Māyā conceived Siddhartha without any sexual contact and gave birth standing while holding onto a Sala tree. Shortly after his birth, it was prophesied by the sage Asita that Siddhartha would either become a great king (Chakravartin) or a great holy man. His father, desiring him to be a powerful ruler, shielded him from the realities of suffering and hardship.

Sheltered Upbringing

Siddhartha was raised in opulence and luxury within the palace walls of Kapilavastu. He was provided with the finest education and indulged in worldly pleasures. His father meticulously ensured that he was shielded from any exposure to the unpleasant aspects of life, such as old age, sickness, and death. At the age of sixteen, he married Yaśodharā, his cousin, and they later had a son named Rāhula. Despite his comfortable life, Siddhartha was said to possess a contemplative nature and a growing unease with the superficiality of his existence.

The Four Sights

At the age of 29, Siddhartha ventured outside the palace walls and encountered four sights that profoundly impacted him and triggered his spiritual quest. These were:

1. An Old Man: Frail and decrepit, leaning on a stick, showing the inevitability of aging.
2. A Sick Man: Suffering from a debilitating disease, illustrating the universality of illness.
3. A Corpse: Being carried in a funeral procession, revealing the reality of death.
4. An Ascetic: A wandering mendicant with a peaceful demeanor, who had renounced worldly possessions in search of spiritual truth.

These encounters shattered Siddhartha’s illusions of a carefree existence and made him acutely aware of the pervasive nature of suffering in the world. The sight of the ascetic offered him a glimmer of hope – a path to potentially transcend this suffering.

The Great Renunciation

Deeply disturbed by the suffering he had witnessed ¹ and inspired by the ascetic’s serenity, Siddhartha resolved to leave his privileged life in search of a way to end suffering for all beings. One night, he secretly left his palace, his wife, and his newborn son in an event known as the “Great Renunciation” (Mahaabhinishkramana). He cut off his hair and exchanged his royal garments for the simple robes of a mendicant, embarking on a journey of spiritual inquiry.  

Ascetic Practices and the Middle Way

For several years, Siddhartha sought guidance from various renowned religious teachers and practiced rigorous asceticism, including extreme fasting and self-mortification. He believed that by punishing the body, he could purify the mind and attain enlightenment. However, after nearly starving himself to death, he realized that these extreme practices did not lead to true understanding or liberation. He then adopted a path of moderation, known as the “Middle Way,” which advocated for balance and avoiding the extremes of both indulgence and self-denial.

Enlightenment

Having abandoned extreme asceticism, Siddhartha sat in deep meditation under a Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya (in present-day Bihar, India). He resolved not to rise until he had attained enlightenment. After a period of intense concentration and contemplation, facing various mental and spiritual challenges, Siddhartha finally achieved enlightenment (Bodhi) at the age of 35. He realized the true nature of reality, understood the cause of suffering and the way to overcome it, and became the Buddha, “the awakened one.”

The First Sermon and the Four Noble Truths

Following his enlightenment, the Buddha delivered his first sermon in Sarnath, near Varanasi, to his former ascetic companions. In this discourse, known as the “Turning of the Wheel of Dharma” (Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta), he laid out the foundational principles of his teachings: the Four Noble Truths:

1. Dukkha (Suffering): Life inevitably involves suffering, dissatisfaction, and pain.
2. Samudaya (The Origin of Suffering): Suffering arises from attachment to desires and craving.
3. Nirodha (The Cessation of Suffering): Suffering can cease by eliminating attachment to desires.
4. Magga (The Path to the Cessation of Suffering): The way to end suffering is the Eightfold Path.

The Eightfold Path

The Eightfold Path is the practical guide to ending suffering and achieving Nirvana. It consists of eight interconnected elements:

1. Right Understanding (Sammā-diṭṭhi): Understanding the Four Noble Truths.
2. Right Thought (Sammā-saṅkappa): Cultivating thoughts of compassion, kindness, and non-violence.
3. Right Speech (Sammā-vācā): Speaking truthfully, kindly, and constructively.
4. Right Action (Sammā-kammanta): Engaging in ethical and non-harmful actions.
5. Right Livelihood (Sammā-ājīva): Earning a living in a way that does not harm others.
6. Right Effort (Sammā-vāyāma): Cultivating wholesome qualities and abandoning unwholesome ones.
7. Right Mindfulness (Sammā-sati): Paying attention to the present moment with awareness.
8. Right Concentration (Sammā-samādhi): Developing mental focus and meditative absorption.

Formation of the Sangha

The Buddha’s first five disciples, who had initially abandoned him for giving up extreme asceticism, became the first members of the monastic community (Sangha). As his teachings gained traction, the Sangha grew to include monks (Bhikkhus) and later nuns (Bhikkhunis) from various social backgrounds. The Sangha provided a structured framework for individuals to dedicate themselves to the practice of the Dharma (the Buddha’s teachings) and to support each other on the path to enlightenment.

Travels and Preaching

For the next 45 years, the Buddha traveled extensively throughout northeastern India, spreading his teachings and engaging in dialogues with people from all walks of life, including kings, Brahmins, merchants, and farmers. He taught in the local Magadhi language, making his message accessible to the common people. His teachings emphasized compassion, wisdom, ethical conduct, and the potential for all beings to attain enlightenment, regardless of their social status. He attracted a large following and established numerous monasteries and centers of learning.

Final Years and Parinirvana

At the age of 80, while traveling to Kushinagar, the Buddha fell ill. Knowing that his end was near, he continued to teach his disciples and offered final instructions. He attained Parinirvana (final liberation) in Kushinagar, passing away peacefully. His last words are traditionally said to be, “All conditioned things are impermanent – work out your own salvation with diligence.” His body was cremated, and his relics were distributed among his followers, leading to the construction of stupas (mounds) to house them, which became important pilgrimage sites.

Legacy and Influence

The Buddha’s teachings have had a profound and enduring impact on world history. Buddhism spread throughout Asia, evolving into various schools and traditions. It has influenced art, philosophy, psychology, and ethical thought for centuries. The principles of compassion, mindfulness, and non-violence, central to Buddhist teachings, continue to resonate with people of diverse backgrounds and beliefs across the globe. The Buddha’s life story serves as an inspiration for those seeking inner peace, wisdom, and liberation from suffering.