Buddha's Life

A paean of joy – Udàna Gàthà THERO’ many a birth in sansàra 1 wandered I, Seeking but not finding, the builder 2 of this house. Sorrowful is repeated birth. O house – builder! Thou art seen. Thou shalt build no house 3 again, All thy rafters 4 are broken, Thy ridge – pole 5 is shattered. The mind attains the unconditioned. 6 Achieved is the end of craving. Dhammapada vv. 153,154 1. Existence 2. i.e. Craving (Tanhà) 3. Body 4. Passions 5. Ignorance 6. Nibbàna                                     The Seven Week after the enlightenment On the auspicious day preceding the enlightenment, the Bòdhisatta 7 ate some milk – porridge offered by a generous lady named sujàtà . After the enlightenment for seven weeks the Buddha fasted, and spent his time under the Bòdhi tree and in its neighborhood. The whole of the first week the Buddha sat under the Bòdhi tree in on...

  The Enlightenment One happy vesak night, as he was seated under the famous Pippala 13 tree at Buddha Gayà, with mind tranquilized and purified, in the first watch he developed the supernormal knowledge which enabled him to remember his past lives Pubbenivàsànussati Nàna – Reminiscence of past Births. In the middle watch he developed the clairvoyant supernormal vision dealing with the death and rebirth of begins Cutùpapàta Ñàna perception of the Disappearing and Reappearing of Beings. In the last watch of the night he developed the supernormal knowledge with regard to the destruction of passions – Àsavakkhaya Ñàna , and comprehending things as they truly are, attained Prefect Enlightenment 14 – Sammà Sambòdhi. Having in his 35 th year attained Buddhahood, that supreme state of perfection, he devoted the remainder of that precious life to serve humanity both by example and precept, dominated by no personal motive. The Buddha was a human being. As a man he was born, ...

  Temptation of Màra the Evil One His prolonged painful austerities proved utterly futile. They only resulted in the exhaustion of his energy. Though physically a superman, on account of his delicate nurture as a prince, he could not possibly stand the great strain. His graceful from faded almost beyond recognition. His golden coloured skin turned pale, blood dried up, sinews and muscles shriveled, and his eyes were sunk and blurred. At this critical stage, Màra 11 approached the ascetic Gòtama and said:- “You are lean and deformed. Near to you is death. A thousand parts (of you belong) to death; to life (there remains) but one. Live, o good sir; life is better. Living you could perform merit. By leading life of celibacy and making fire sacrifices, much merit could be acquired. What will you do with this striving? Hard is the path of striving, difficult and not easily accomplished.” He replied:- “O evil one, kinsman of the heedless! You have come here for your own sake....

The Search As a seeker after what is good ( kim kusalagavèsi ) searching for the unsurpassed peaceful state most excellent, he approached Àlàra kàlàma an ascetic of repute, and speedily learnt his doctrine and developed the seventh arùpa Jhàna, the Realm of nothingness, ( Àkincaññàyatana ), an advanced stage of concentration. The unenvious teacher, delighted to hear of the success of his distinguished pupil, honored him by placing him on a level with himself and admiringly said:- “Happy, friend, are we; yea, extremely happy, in that we look up to a respected ascetic like you! The doctrine which I know, that also do you know; and the doctrine which you know; that I know and. As I am, so are you, so am I. come, friend, let both of us lead the company of ascetics.” The ascetic Gòtama was not satisfied with mere mental concentration and an ordinary system, which did not lead to Nibbàna. Dissatisfied with kàlàma’s system, he left him, and approached one uddakà Ràmaputta , who read...

  Renunciation   With the march of time truth gradually dawned upon him. His contemplative nature and boundless compassion did not permit him to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of a royal household. He knew no woe, but he felt deep pity for sorrowing humanity. Amidst comfort and prosperity he realized the universality of sorrow. One glorious day, as he went out of the palace to see the world outside, he came into direct contact with the stark realities of life. Within the narrow confines of the palaces, he saw only the rosy side of life; but the dark side, the common lot of mankind was veiled from him. His observant eyes met the strange sight of a decrepit old man, a diseased person, a corpse, and a dignified hermit.   The first three sights convinced him of the inexorable nature of life and universal sickness of humanity. The fourth signified the means to overcome the ills of life and attain calm and peace. Realizing the worthlessness of sensual pleasures highly prize...

The Ploughing Festival  A very remarkable incident took place in his childhood. It was an unprecedented mental experience which, in later life, du ring his search after truth, served as a key to his enlightenment. As an encouragement to agriculture the king arranged for a ploughing Festival. It was indeed a festival occasion for all, as both nobles and commoners decked in gala dress participated in the ceremony. On the appointed day the king, accompanied by his courtiers, went to the field taking with him, the young prince together with the nurses. Placing the child on a screened and canopied couch under the cool shade of a rose apple tree to be watched by the nurses, the king took an active part in the ploughing Festival. When the festival was at its climax, the nurses stole away from the prince’s presence to catch a glimpse of the wonderful spectacle. The thoughtful child, mature in intellect though young in age, and intently concentrating on inhalation and developed the first ...

  THE LIFE OF BUDDHA The Birth      On the full-moon day of may in the year 623 B.C., there was born, in the lumbini park at kapilavastthu, on the borders of Nepal,a noble prince of aristocratic sàkya clan. His father was king suddhòdana, and his mother Queen mahà màyà. Seven days after the birth of the child, the mother died, and mahà pajàpati gotami, her younger sister, who was also married to king suddhodana, became his foster mother.     Great were the rejoicings of the people over the birth of this illustrious prince. A certain ascetic, named asita, also known as kàladevala,was particularly pleased to hear this happy news and, being a tutor of the king, visited the palace to see the royal baby. The overjoyed king brought the child, to pay him due reverence, but, to the surprise of all, hit feet turned and planted them-selves in the matted locks of the ascetic. Instantly the ascetic rose from his seat and foreseeing the child's future greatn...