Higher RMPS World Religions: Buddhism

1. Higher RMPSWorld Religions: Buddhism Introduction to Buddhism The Life of the Buddha

2. Siddhartha Gautama • Siddhartha Gautama is the name of the man who became the Buddha • He lived in northern India 2500 years ago • He was born in Lumbini which is in modern day Nepal • He spent 45 years travelling and teaching • He passed away at the age of 80 in Kusinara less than 200km from where he was born

3. Conception • The Buddha’s conception and birth are marked by miraculous events • As his mind descended into his mother’s womb from one of the heavens, a great light appeared in the world • His mother Queen Maya dreamed that a magnificent white elephant entered her body • Her pregnancy lasted 10 months which is normal for enlightened beings • She had no pain in child birth

4. Birth of the Buddha • According to the story, queen Maya gave birth standing up • The baby emerged from her right side with no blood or water • As soon as he was born he was able to walk and talk • Lotus blossoms appeared in his footsteps, he declared that this would be his last rebirth • He was given the name Siddhartha which means ‘fulfilment of wishes’ • The renowned holy man Asita visited the palace, he prophesised that Siddhartha would become a great leader like his father or a homeless holy man depending on how much suffering he saw

5. Life in the Palace • Siddhartha was a Hindu prince brought up with the greatest luxury and splendour • The prophecy of Asita determined how his father brought him up • He was excellent at all he did, sport, wrestling, archery, mathematics,, music etc. • He was tall and handsome, kind and well mannered • When he was a child his father took him to a ploughing competition where he fell into the fist state of meditation

6. A Life of Indulgence • All suffering was kept hidden from Siddhartha • All possible comforts were provided for him • He was given 3 palaces, one for each season • He was surrounded by parks, gardens, music and beautiful young attendants • At 16 he married the beautiful Yashodhara • They had a baby son whom they named Rahula • It seemed Siddhartha had everything he could want

7. Leaving the Palace • Siddhartha decided that he wanted to see the world outside the palace, he went with his servant Channa • His father had arranged for him to follow a specific route on which all suffering had been removed • Young healthy people lined the route that Siddhartha was supposed to take • He came across an old man at the side of the road, he had no teeth, white hair, his legs were so weak that he needed a stick • Siddhartha was shocked by the sight and asked Channa what was wrong with him • Channa replied that he is old; old age comes to everyone, it destroys youth and beauty • Siddhartha was filled with compassion • Siddhartha was so upset that he returned to the palace • He made three more trips out of the palace

8. The First Sight: Old Age

9. The Second and Third Sights: Sickness and Death • The second time he left the palace he saw a very sick person, not knowing what was wrong he asked Channa • Channa explained that sickness would happen to everyone at some point in their lives • The next time he left the palace he saw a dead body being carried to the cremation ground • Never having seen death he asked Chann • “Death is the end of life which no one can escape” • Siddhartha was deeply sadened by this

10. The Fourth Sight • On his final journey out of the palace Siddhartha saw a homeless holy man • He owned nothing but what he carried • He told Siddhartha that he was seeking the Truth and had given up all worldly pleasures • He was happier than he had ever been • Siddhartha was inspired by this man • He wanted to find a way to be happy

11. Finding the Answers • Why do people suffer and is there any way to overcome it? These were the questions that Siddhartha was now asking • He was so affected by suffering that he could no longer live a life of luxury • He escaped from the palace, cut off his hair as a symbol of renunciation and • He practiced meditation with 2 masters for a number of years but still had no answer to his questions

12. Asceticism • On giving up meditation Siddhartha decided to try something else to help him find answers • He found 5 ascetics in the forest and spent a number of years with them • He practiced an extreme form of body mortification known as asceticism • He fasted, held his breath for long periods of time, sit in the burning sun all day or bathe in ice cold water • He became very weak from lack of food and realised that he would die if he did not eat

13. The Middle Way • Siddhartha accepted some food from a village girl and gave up this extreme way of life • He decided to practice a middle way; a life between the two extremes • The extremes had not brought him any closer to the answers • He had experienced life in the palace, indulgence and life as an ascetic and neither had worked • He decided that the only way to live was to live a balanced life between the two extremes

14. The Enlightenment • Siddhartha decided that meditation was the only way to uncover the truth • While meditating under a bodi tree he was tempted by Mara • Mara is the demon which represents sensual desire and death, he corrupts the mind • Mara used fear to distract Siddhartha and then he used his daughters to seduce him • Nothing worked, Mara failed and fled • Siddhartha experienced unimaginable joy and an awakening known as the enlightenment