Summary of the Buddha's origins

Those who enter the Buddhist faith, knows of the history of Buddhism. How Buddhism came to be the 4th largest religion is from the Buddha's effort to spreads his words to sentient beings. The Buddha's life story exist for nearly 2500 years before the birth of Christ. Evidence of Gautama's birth and death are recorded in Buddhist scriptures known as sutras. The basis of the Buddha's life, separates fact from legend. Many of the tales ascribed to the Buddha, shows many of the miraculous events that occurred. From what we know as part of a legend, also exist separately as a true story. The Buddha was born, he grew up as a handsome prince, and witnessed suffering at an early age. This first encounter of the phases of suffering, marks Buddha Gautama's journey to seek enlightenment. So, whether it is a legend or a true tale, we know upon account that the Buddha did exist. That, he has discovered enlightenment, and had spread the Dharma to countless sentient beings. Like many, birth origins, the Buddha came into being like many of the figures described in various religions. It is similar to the birth of Jesus Christ, similar to Mahavira the great teacher in Jainism, to Confucius, and much more. the Buddha's mother queen Maha maya had a vision, that a white elephant descended upon the heavens, and had entered her side. This vision, marks the symbol of nobility, strength of thought, and the previous rebirths of the Buddha as an elephant. The Buddha was born in Lumbini park, and was named Siddhartha, meaning "one who has accomplished," But unlike any human infant, the Buddha was born out of Maha maya's hip. This is one of many miracles attributed to Siddhartha, before his journey for enlightenment. The infant was already able to take his first few steps, in which lotus blossoms bloomed underneath his feat. With his arm raised high, and fingers pointing to the sky, Siddhartha spoke for the first time , and declares that this was the last time he would enter rebirth!

On one account, the astrologer Asita, went to see prince Siddhartha after his birth, in his prediction the astrologer told King Suddhodana that the infant would one day choose between one of two paths. To become a powerful emperor ruling India under the Sakya clan, or renounced the world to become a great spiritual master. Aware of the boys fate, King Suddhodana raise the boy under secrecy from the outside palace. And as prince Siddhartha grew up, he lived in the palaces, and enjoyed a life of wealth and luxury. Over the years, Siddhartha exemplified prodigy; he had mastery over martial arts, with an intelligence exceeding that of his teachers, he played many sports during his time, and lived a life like any human being. But, as the years by passed, King Suddhodana realized that his son would wonder into the city palace, and discover his fate. With that, Siddhartha was given marriage by his father to his cousin yasodhara. Prince Siddhartha and his wife lived over the next few years, both had a son they named "Rahula." But with the coming years, Siddhartha grew tired of palace life, despite his fathers efforts to dissuade him, the prince decided to explore life outside of the city gates. On his journey he saw an old man, holding a stick, curious he asked his attendant what that was. The Prince had witnessed, and knew for the first time that it was old age. His second encounter was an individual inflicted by sickness and disease, his third encounter was a corpse, and the fourth was an ascetic. With that, Siddhartha was in deep remorse, yet his encounter with suffering provided an answer to his destiny. Siddhartha knew that only he was able to find the answer to life, free from suffering. Hence, by making a difficult decision, he left his wife and son behind, and left the kingdom, to partake on his quest. It is believed that on that very night, a mist covered the palace which cause every individual to fall asleep, another one of many miracles attributed to the Buddha. Upon his departure, Siddhartha only brought with him his attendant named Channa, as they arrived at rajagriha. After using a knife to cut a piece of his hair, the prince dedicated his entire life for the next few years, seeking enlightenment.

Prince Siddhartha's first few attempts had failed him, he traveled across many cities, and studied under two yogic masters. These gurus taught Siddhartha many of the yogic techniques, that is still practiced even today. Yet, with his level of ability, the Buddha was able to master all of the yogic stages, taught by his masters. Hence, his attempt ended in failure, a failure to discover his answer; Consequently, Siddhartha left his teachers to continue his journey. His next attempt lead him towards asceticism, the method of self-torture leading to freedom. The Buddha alongside, 5 group of men, practiced self-mortification, there method sought denial of not just the body but also materialism. However, after a few years, the Buddha gave up this practice, and decided to pursue another. Knowing that self-mortification, nearly killed him, the Buddha had no choice but to give up this path. His years of starvation left him with only skin and bones, but his conscious state was still intact. Near a riverbed, the Buddha was offered food for the first time by a local girl, at that moment he realized his decision, altering his path, The Buddha chose to eat, after days of fasting and starvation. He believed the necessity for the pursuit of his quest, was to sustain his physical health, the Buddha chose to eat, so that his body will not be weakened. Upon that day, lord Buddha also discovered what he called the "Middle way" he compared this middle way, to the string of an instrument known as the sitar. When the instrument is played, the string is neither plucked to high, nor too low. With this is in mind, one can only play the sitar correctly when the string is plucked, and vibrates in the center most, that is the middle path. Having discover this, the Buddha went into meditation underneath a fig tree known as the "Bodhi tree" for 49 days, vowing never to leave until he has discovered enlightenment. While in deep meditation, the Buddha was obstructed by an ultimate demon known as "Mara" the entity who represents all acts of evil and temptation. However, the Buddha neither moved nor was distracted by Mara, who used every attempt to lure the Buddha. With his final effort, Mara tried to outsmart the Buddha, by holding a witness with his demon army. The Buddha proved to the demon, that the earth would be his witness, simply by placing his arm , with his hand pointing towards the ground. The demon Mara accepted defeat, retreating with his horde of demons. This event triggered the Buddha's greatest achievement, he has reached "enlightenment." After 49 days of meditation, and reaching the state of enlightenment, he gained super-normal powers, the Buddha was able to see his past life, including reality as it truly is. With his awakening, he discovered the 4 noble truths, a group of precepts that is followed today by fellow Buddhists. In addition to these four, the 8 middle paths must be observed and understood; as such, it is through these 8 middle ways in which can find the pathway to nibanna. These precepts however, were the foundations of the Buddha's teachings.

After years of struggle and constant suffering, the Buddha was finally able to discover his path. He decided to spread his teachings to humanity, although at first he knew that it would be difficult for sentient beings to comprehend his teachings. The Buddha made a vital decision to spread the dharma, in which every being can practice. Since every individual is a potential Buddha, all living organism from the biggest animal, to the smallest creature, can find their true nature. The Buddha spent the next 50 years, teaching, and spreading the dharma to many people. Including the 5 ascetics who became his first disciples, and among hundred of groups. From Brahman priests to the lowest casts. Yet, Siddhartha Gautama's words did not spread just in India, but over time it reached the borders of China, Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, Cambodia, Indonesia, and a plethora of other countries. Buddhism is considered a way of life, it is a religion opened to everyone, in which anyone can practice. Knowing that everyone can achieve the same path that the Buddha took, that is the path to "enlightenment!"