|
 Buddhism
is the fourth largest religion in the world, being
exceeded in numbers only by Christianity, Islam
and Hinduism.It was founded
in Northern India by the Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama.
He was born circa 563 BCE in Lumbini which is in
modern-day Nepal. At the age of 29, he left his
wife, children and political involvements in order
to seek truth. It was an accepted practice at the
time for some men to leave their family and lead
the life of an ascetic. He studied Brahmanism, but
ultimately rejected it. In 535 BCE,
he attained enlightenment and assumed the title
Buddha (one who has awakened). Buddha's Past - Buddha's original
name was Siddhartha. It meant one who had accomplished
his aim. Gautama was Siddhartha's family name. Siddhartha
was known all over the world as Buddha, the Enlightened.
He was also known by the name of Sakhya Muni, which
meant an ascetic of the Sakhya tribe. The Buddha
who is the founder of the Buddhist Religion is called
Buddha Shakyamuni. "Shakya" is the name
of the royal family into which he was born, and
"Muni" means "Able One." Buddha
Skakyamuni was born as a royal prince in 624 BC
in a place called Lumbini, which was originally
in northern India but is now part of Nepal. His
mother's name was Queen Mayadevi and his father's
name was King Shuddhodana.
Siddhartha spent his boyhood at Kapilavastu and
its vicinity. He was married at the age of sixteen.
His wife's name was Yasodhara. Siddhartha had a
son named Rahula. At the age of twenty-nine, Siddhartha
Gautama suddenly abandoned his home to devote himself
entirely to spiritual pursuits and Yogic practices.
A mere accident turned him to the path of renunciation.
One day he managed, somehow or the other, to get
out of the walled enclosure of the palace and roamed
about in the town along with his servant Channa
to see how the people were getting on. The sight
of a decrepit old man, a sick man, a corpse and
a monk finally induced Siddhartha to renounce the
world. He felt that he also would become a prey
to old age, disease and death. Also, he noticed
the serenity and the dynamic personality of the
monk. Let me go beyond the miseries of this Samsara
(worldly life) by renouncing this world of miseries
and sorrows. This mundane life, with all its luxuries
and comforts, is absolutely worthless. I also am
subject to decay and am not free from the effect
of old age. Worldly happiness is transitory".
Gautama
left for ever his home, wealth, dominion, power, father,
wife and the only child. He shaved his head and put
on yellow robes. He marched towards Rajgriha, the
capital of the kingdom of Magadha. There were many
caves in the neighboring hills. Many hermits lived
in those caves. Siddhartha took Alamo Kalamo, a hermit,
as his first teacher. He was not satisfied with his
instructions. He left him and sought the help of another
recluse named Uddako Ramputto for spiritual instructions.
At last he determined to undertake Yogic practices.
He practiced severe Tapas (austerities) and Pranayama
(practice of breath control) for six years. He determined
to attain the supreme peace by practicing self-mortification.
He abstained almost entirely from taking food. He
did not find much progress by adopting this method.
He was reduced to a skeleton. He became exceedingly
weak.
Buddha's
Teachings - According to Buddha "Dharma"
means "protection". By practicing Buddha's
teachings we protect our self from suffering and problems.
All the problems we experience during daily life originate
from ignorance, and the method for eliminating ignorance
is to practice Dharma.
Practicing
Dharma is the supreme method for improving the quality
of our human life. The quality of life depends not
upon external development or material progress, but
upon the inner development of peace and happiness.
For example, in the past many Buddhists lived in poor
and underdeveloped countries, but they were able to
find pure, lasting happiness by practicing what Buddha
had taught.
The
End - Buddha went to Sravasti, the capital
of the kingdom of Kosala. Here a wealthy merchant
gave him for residence an extensive and beautiful
forest. Buddha spent many rainy seasons there and
delivered several grand discourses. Thus Lord Buddha
preached his doctrine for over forty-five years traveling
from place to place.
Buddha
died of an illness brought on by some error in diet.
He became ill through eating Sukara-maddavam, prepared
for him by a lady adherent named Cundo. The commentator
explains the word as meaning 'hog's flesh'. Subadhara
Bhikshu thinks it means something which wild boars
are fond of and says that it has something of the
nature of a truffle. Dr. Hoey says that it is not
boar's flesh but Sukarakanda or hog's root, a bulbous
root found chiefly in the jungle and which Hindus
eat with great joy. It is a Phalahar that is eaten
on days of fasting.
Buddha
said to Ananda, "Go Ananda, prepare for me, between
twin Sal trees, a couch with the head northward. I
am exhausted and would like to lie down". A wonderful
scene followed. The twin Sal trees burst into full
bloom although it was not the blossoming season. Those
flowers fell on the body of Buddha out of reverence.
Divine coral tree flowers and divine sandalwood powders
fell from above on Buddha's body out of reverence.
Lord
Buddha said, "Come now, dear monks. I bid you
farewell. Compounds are subject to dissolution. Prosper
ye through diligence and work out your salvation". |
