Prince Siddhartha was born during the fifth month of Vesakha, a full moon day in 623 B.C. The baby immediately took seven steps, and with each step a lotus flower appeared. Five days after the birth of Prince Siddhartha, eight wise men came to the palace for the naming ceremony. Seven of the wise men raised two fingers and said that the prince would either become a Great King or a Buddha. One of the wise men, whose name was Kondanna, only held up one finger and said the prince would become a Buddha. The baby was then named Siddhartha. Only two days after the Naming Ceremony, Queen Maha Maya, the mother, passed away. Prince Siddhartha was then looked after by the queen's sister, Pajapathi Gotami, who was also married to King Suddhodhana, the father of the prince. One day Prince Siddhartha, and his cousin, Devadhattha, were walking in the woods, when Devadhattha shot a swan that was flying in the sky. The prince rushed to save the wounded swan. After Devadattha got mad that the prince would not give the swan back, they both went to see a wise man. The wise man said that the prince owned the swan because he saved the bird's life. The prince took very good care of the bird and then set it free when it was healed. Marriage: The king wanted the prince to marry a beautiful girl. Many of the girls from the country came to the prince's palace so he could choose a wife. The prince gave each of the girls a gift, but to one princess he gave a ring from off his finger. Her name was Yasodhara. They soon got married, and the King was very happy. The Four Sights: One day the prince went to see how other people lived, with his horseman, Channa. On the first trip out of the palace, Prince Siddhartha saw an old man, and soon knew everyone had to grow old. On the prince's second trip he saw a sick man, he knew that everyone could become sick. On his third trip, the prince saw a dead body. He knew that everyone had to die some day. On the fourth trip the prince saw a monk. This monk was very calm and happy. That was when Prince Siddhartha decided to leave the palace to help people find peace and happiness like the monk he saw. Soon after his decision he heard the news that he had a new son named Rahula. Leaving the Palace: When Rahula was born, King Suddhodhana threw a party. After lots of fun, everyone fell asleep. At midnight Prince Siddhartha went to look at Princess Yasodhara and Rahula sleeping soundly. Then he left the palace with his servant, Channa and his horse, Kanthaka. At the river the prince took off all his jewelry, and asked Channa to return the jewelry to the king. Then, at age 29 the prince cut off his hair with a sword, and changed into yellow robes. The Search for Truth: After dressing himself in simple robes, Siddhartha went to houses with his alms bowl, to look for food like other monks. Now he was called Ascetic Gotama. He wanted to find a way out of suffering. Soon he met two monks, and being a good student he learnt all of the teachers' teachings. He then decided to find the Truth in his own ways. Seeking Enlightenment: Ascetic Gotama decided to find the end to pain and suffering. For six years he nearly killed himself, by not eating and by torturing his body. He realized that was not the answer, in order to stop pain and suffering. After finally having food, he sat under the Bodhi tree and said that He would not get out until he had gained Enlightenment. Enlightenment: While Ascetic Gotama was meditating under the Bodhi tree, Mara, the evil one, told him to give up his struggle for Enlightenment. He freed his mind of all bad thoughts, and became calm and peaceful. He was in deep meditation. During the first part of the night, he saw his own past lives. In the second part of the night, he saw the past lives of other beings. During the third part of the night, he finally came to know the truth of all sufferings. At age 35, Ascetic Gotama gained Enlightenment and became a Buddha, or a Fully Enlightened One. Weeks after Enlightenment: For the first whole week after Enlightenment, the Buddha sat under the Bodhi tree meditating and enjoying peace and happiness. During the whole second week, the Buddha kept His eyes on the Bodhi tree. This was to show His gratitude towards the tree that gave Him shelter during the struggle for Enlightenment. During the third week, the Buddha created a bridge that was jeweled with His own special power. The whole week he walked up and down on the bridge. On the fourth week after Enlightenment, the Buddha meditated on the Higher Teaching of the Dhamma, on a jeweled throne. His mind and body were so pure, that six rays of colors came out of his body. The colors were: blue, yellow, red, white, orange and a mixture of the five colors. On the fifth week, the Buddha meditated under the Ajapala Banyan tree. Three of Mara's daughters came to disturb the Buddha, but He just continued meditating. During the sixth week, while mediating under the Mucalinda tree, a heavy rain began to fall. Then a king cobra named Mucalinda, coiled around the Buddha seven times, to protect Him from wind and rain. After the rain was over, the cobra became a man and paid his respects to the Buddha. On the fiftieth day after enlightenment two merchants, named Tapassu and Bhalluka, came and offered food to the Buddha. They became the first two lay followers of the Buddha. The Buddha gave them some of His hair, and they left happily. Invitation to Preach Dhamma: After Enlightenment, the Buddha found that many people were still doing wrong things. Brahma Sahampati begged the Buddha to teach the Dhamma 3 times. It was only after the third time that the Buddha finally agreed. Then the Buddha realized that there were some people who understood His teachings. The Meeting of Five Friends: The Buddha decided to preach the Dhamma to his five friends, Kondanna, Vappa, Bhaddiya, Mahanama and Assaji. At the sight of the Buddha the five friends decided they would not welcome him, since they believed that he had a happy life. But as the Buddha came closer, they liked the calm look on His face. After a little while they decided to sit and listen to what the Buddha had to say. Take The Life Of The Buddha Quiz |