The Life Of Buddha Essay Research Paper

The Life Of Buddha Essay, Research Paper The Buddah was born in the sixth or fifth century BC in the kingdom of the Sakyas, on the present day border of Napal and India. The tern Buddah is not a real name but only a title. His real name was Gotama. He was the son of the king. His life embodies all the most extreme social circumstances which include starting his life as one in the most exalted position who moves by his own choice to the lowliest and most uncomfortable of all possible social positions. The story of the Buddha’s life begins with the story of a dream that his mother, Mahamaya, had the night before he was born. The dream was about a beautiful white elephant, which entered her womb through her side. When the Brahmans (Vedic priests) were asked to interpret the

dream they foretold the birth of a son who would become either a powerful monarch or a Buddha. Ten months after the conception, the queen and her entourage left their kingdom to go visit her parents. In the middle of the trip she gave birth to Gotama in the middle of a park on the night of a full moon in the month of May. The so-called site of his birth lies within the present day borders of Napal. A pillar exists to this day built in commemoration to the Buddha in the place of his birth by Asoka, a 3rd BC Buddhist emperor of India.On the fifth day after his birth 108 Brahman’s were invited to a name giving ceremony. Eight of these Brahman’s were experts in interpreting body marks. Seven of them agreed on Buddha’s future: if he remained home he would become a great monarch,

but if he left he would definitely become a Buddha. The 8th Brahman, Kondanna, said that the child would definitely become a Buddha. The child was given the name Siddhartha which means “one whose name is accomplished.” This man later became Buddha’s companion and one of his first five disciples. On the seventh day after his birth his mother died. From this point on he was raised by his aunt. The young prince was brought up in great luxury. His father was always worried that his son would leave home and become a wandering mystic seeking Buddhahood. His father spared no expense trying to bring his son up to appreciate the worldly life, and at the age of 16 Siddhattha married his cousin. Something obviously has to change in Sidhattha’s life. The turning point in his life

comes when he is 29 years old. One day while out driving around the town with his driver at the helm, he saw “an aged man as bent as a roof gable, decrepit, leaning on his staff as he walked, and well past his prime.” His driver explained that he was old and all men are subject the ravages of old age. The prince was greatly affected by this sight and he went back to his palace and became very contemplative. Another day, while out doing the same thing, he saw “a sick man, suffering and very ill, fallen and weltering in his own excretion.” His driver explained again that the man was sick and that all men are subject to sickness. On a third occasion the prince saw a dead body and again his driver provided and explanation. At last, the prince saw “a shaven-headed man, a

wanderer who has gone forth, wearing the yellow robe. He was impressed with the man’s peaceful demeanor and he decided to go out into the world to find the reason for which a man could attain such absurd peacefulness in the face such horror as exists in the world. These four experiences are referred to as the “four signs.” On the way back to the palace he received word that his wife had delivered him a son, whom he named Rahula, which means “Fetter” or “Bond.” When he received this news he made the decision to make what is known as ,”The Great Renunciation,” which meant for him to give up his princely life and all the privileges and luxuries that came with it. He woke up in the middle of the night and ordered his horse saddled. He then proceeded to go to his