Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama who was the original Buddha or Buddha Shakyamuni. According to Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, Buddha generally means, “Awakened One” and Shakya is the name of the royal family into which he was born while Muni means “Able One.” Here is an introduction to the early life of Shakyamuni Buddha and an account of how Siddhartha Gautama became the Buddha.
Early Life of Siddhartha Gautama – Founder of Buddhism
Buddha Shakyamuni was born in the palace of King Shuddhodhana and Queen Maya in 624 BC, in a place called Lumbini. His mother died a few days after his birth. However, before the birth of the boy, Queen Maya had envisioned a white elephant who descended from heaven and entered her womb, indicating that her child came from Tushita heaven or the Pure Land of Buddha Maitreya.
The king was overjoyed at the boy’s birth and named him Siddhartha. A clairvoyant was invited to predict the boy’s future and it was prophesized that the boy would be either a great military conqueror or a “fully enlightened Buddha”.
Siddhartha grew up in the lap of luxury and attained the highest degree of education in the arts and sciences. At the request of King Shuddhodhana, Siddhartha also studied and excelled in martial arts and archery. However, there was a strong spiritual side to Siddhartha’s personality as Geshe Kelsang Gyatso writes, “The prince would take every opportunity to convey spiritual meanings and to encourage others to follow spiritual paths.”
The Four Passing Sights that Influenced Siddhartha
Although Siddhartha Gautama grew up surrounded by luxury and riches, there were many occasions when he would visit the city and witness the harsh realities of life. On one such ride to the city, Siddhartha saw an aged man, then a sick man and finally, a corpse. Struck by the despair and sadness of life, Siddhartha realized that, “all living beings without exception have to experience the sufferings of birth, sickness, aging and death.”
The fourth sight that left a deep impression on Siddhartha was that of an ascetic, wandering around after having renounced the world and seeking enlightenment. Siddhartha realized that “only a fully enlightened Buddha has the power and wisdom to help all living beings…”
Renunciation of Gautama and Search for Enlightenment
However, when Siddhartha expressed the desire to renounce the palace and worldly life for the sake of enlightenment, King Shuddhodhana did not agree and instead, arranged for Siddhartha to marry Yashodhara. Marriage and even, the birth of a child, Rahula, did not change Siddhartha’s desire to seek enlightenment to help others. At the age of 29, he had a vision in which all the Buddhas of the ten directions appeared to him and stated that it was time for him to accomplish his desire of helping all living beings who are trapped in the cycle of suffering.
Once again, Siddhartha approached King Shuddhodhana with a request to leave the palace and stay in the forests to meditate and seek enlightenment. This time, too, the request was turned down and instead, the king surrounded Siddhartha with musicians and additional security. However, one night, Siddhartha managed to escape from the palace and change his princely robes for the garb of a mendicant.
Enlightenment of the Founder of Buddhism
Siddhartha sought teachings and gained wisdom from renowned religious teachers however, felt that there were still many unanswered questions. So, he and his companions, attempted to find the release from suffering through physical discipline, fasting and enduring great pain. However, Siddhartha felt that renouncing pleasure should not be equated with gaining pain and discomfort. What he sought was the Middle Way.
Gyatso writes, “Siddhartha then made his way to a place near Bodh Gaya in India, where he found a suitable site for meditation.” Siddhartha practiced this meditation for six years and when he realized that he was very close to attaining full enlightenment walked to Bodh Gaya. Here he sat under the Bodhi Tree and vowed not to rise from meditation until he had achieved perfect enlightenment.
However, Devaputra Mara, the chief of all the demons or maras, left no stone unturned to disturb Siddhartha’s concentration. He conjured fearful apparitions and when those didn’t work turned to manifestations of beautiful women but “…Siddhartha responded by developing even deeper concentration.” Siddhartha then continued his meditation and finally at the break of dawn, attained the vajra-like concentration with which, “…he removed the final veils of ignorance from his mind and in the next moment became a Buddha, a fully enlightened being.”
Although the Buddha was reluctant to teach, forty-nine days after attaining enlightenment, the Gods, Indra and Brahma requested him to do so saying that living beings would otherwise continue to wander and stray, and not know the right path. It was as a result of this request that the Buddha rose and taught the first Wheel of Dharma which included the Sutra of the Four Noble Truths and other teachings.
The life of the founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama, was always that of an ordinary being. Born into happiness and wealth yet driven by a desire to help others, the Buddha Shakyamuni surely embodied the deeply compassionate spirit that is central to Buddhism.
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Readers of this article may also enjoy reading What is the Buddhist Attitude of Mind, An Introduction to Buddhism and Buddhist Teachings, along with How to Become a Buddhist.
References:
Gyatso, Geshe Kelsang. Introduction to Buddhism: An Explanation of the Buddhist Way of Life. Tharpa Publications, 2001.
Prerna Malik - Prerna Malik is a professional freelance writer, business blogger, social media expert and obsessive organizer.
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