.Siddhartha Gautama is the name of the man who became the Buddha.He lived in northern India 2500 years ago.He was born in Kapilivastu 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
The story of Buddhism
Prince Siddharth's birth
2500 years ago, Siddhartha Gautam was born in Northern India.When Born, Siddhartha's mother experienced no pain, she was pregnant with him for 10 months and a great light appeared in the world
The princes's royal life
Siddhartha was a Hindu prince brought up with the greatest luxury and splendour The prophecy of Asita determined how his father brought him upHe was excellent at all he did, sport, wrestling, archery, mathematics,, music etc.He was tall and handsome, kind and well manneredWhen he was a child his father took him to a ploughing competition where he fell into the first state of meditationAll suffering was kept hidden from SiddharthaAll possible comforts were provided for himHe was given 3 palaces, one for each seasonHe was surrounded by parks, gardens, music and beautiful young attendantsAt 16 he married the beautiful Yashodhara They had a baby son whom they named RahulaIt seemed Siddhartha had everything he could want
The prince discovers 3 forms of suffering
Siddhatha decided to leave the palace and discover the outside world. When out, he saw 4 things that disturbed him. A Old weak man, a very sick man, a dead body and homeless holy man. Siddhartha felt and overwhelming sense of compassion as he had been protected from all kinds of suffering. This is when he discovered the 3 types of suffering, Anicca (impermanence), Dukkha (Suffering) and Anatta (no self.)
The Prince becomes an Ascetic
On giving up meditation Siddhartha decided to try something else to help him find answersHe found 5 ascetics in the forest and spent a number of years with themHe practised an extreme form of body mortification known as asceticismHe fasted, held his breath for long periods of time, sit in the burning sun all day or bathe in ice cold waterHe became very weak from lack of food and realised that he would die if he did not eat
The Prince becomes Buddah
After a reputed 49 days of meditation, at the age of 35, he is said to have attained Enlightenment. From that time, Gautama was known to his followers as the Buddha or Awakened One (Buddha is also sometimes translated as The Enlightened One).According to Buddhism, at the time of his awakening he realized complete insight into the cause of suffering, and the steps necessary to eliminate it. These discoveries became known as the Four Noble Truths“ which are at the heart of Buddhist teaching. Through mastery of these truths, a state of supreme liberation, or Nibbana, is believed to be possible for any being. The Buddha described Nibbana the perfect peace of a mind that's free from ignorance, greed, hatred and other afflictive states.