3.1.1 The Buddha's Early Life Flashcards
What is a Buddha? (3 elements)
- A buddha is an enlightened human being
- Someone who has come to understand the true nature of life and existence
- Someone who has a deep understanding about the meaning and purpose of life
What do Buddhists believe about Buddhas and the practice of Buddhism?
- Everyone has the potential to be enlightened and become a buddha.
- The practice of Buddhism is aimed at developing this potential and the removal of suffering.
Who is the Buddha?
Siddhartha Gautama - the first Buddha in history to have his life and teachings recorded.
Are the stories of the Buddha historically accurate and how do Buddhists feel about this? (2 elements)
- The stories about the Buddha have religious significance and symbolic elements, and may not be historically accurate and aren’t meant to be understood in this way.
- For many the historical accuracy of the stories does not matter as these stories are full of insights into Buddhist teachings.
What happened at the Pre-birth of the Buddha’s early life? (4)
- His mother - Queen Maya - had a dream where she was carried away by 4 devas (spirits) to lake Anotatta in Himalayas
- She was bathed in lake, dressed in heavenly clothes, anointed with perfumes and bedecked with divine flowers
- A white elephant with 6 tusks, a head covered in rubies, and holding a white lotus flower in its trunk, appeared and walked around her 3 times entering her womb through her right side
- Elephant disappeared + queen awoke, knowing she had been delivered an important message
What happened at the Birth of the Buddha? (8)
- 10 months after dream, Queen was travelling back to fathers kingdom to have her baby - tradition
- On way stopped to rest in a garden - Lumbini Park, near to kingdom of Nepal
- She was attracted by parks beauty, its Sala trees, scented flowers + busy birds and bees
- As she rested under one of Sala trees her birth began and a baby boy was born out of her side
- According to legends, baby was fully formed + able to walk and talk
- He immediately walked 7 steps forwards, and at each step a lotus flower appeared on ground
- At 7th step he declared something
- Not long after birth, mother died.
What did Siddhartha declare at his birth?
I am chief of the world,
Eldest am I in the world,
Foremost am I in the world,
This is the last birth.
There is now no coming to be.
What did Asita predict about Siddhartha?
A day after his birth, Siddhartha’s father - King Suddhodana, presented him to a sage (person of wisdom) called Asita.
From birth marks of the Buddha’s body, Asita predicted he would become a great teacher of the world.
What was prophesied at the Buddha’s naming ceremony?
Wisemen predicted the Buddha would follow one of two paths;
- Become a great ruler
or - Follow a religious path to full enlightenment - ‘The Buddha’
Youngest wiseman, predicted he would only follow a religious path.
How did Siddhartha’s father impact his life? (3 key points)
- The Buddha’s father didn’t want him to follow religious path.
- He believed if the Buddha saw injustice and suffering, he’d take an interest in spiritual matters + questions about existence rather than take an interest in politics.
- So, the King kept the Buddha away from any form of pain by keeping him in luxury and away from the outside world.
What did the Buddha have in his early life with his father? (6 points and a conluding statement)
- 3 palaces
- hunting grounds
- staff to look after him
- dancers/musicians => entertainment
- excellent education - martial arts + a variety of sports
- finest foods and possessions
His life was filled with beauty and pleasure, without worry and hardship.
What did Siddhartha do at age 16?
Married Yasodhara, princess of nearby kingdom, and they had a son called Rahula.
How can the White elephant with 6 tusks be interpreted? (2)
- In Nepal, white elephant = symbol of greatness and associated with godliness + royalty - shows Queen was to conceive a great leader
- Could symbolise the mind which is brought under control and can destroy obstacles which stand in the way - strong and powerful. Buddha did this with meditation, and removed obstacles stopping him from being free of suffering.
What did the Buddha’s 7 steps represent?
7 directions;
* North
* West
* South
* East
* Up
* Down
* Here
What did the Lotus Flowers that came from the Buddha’s steps symbolise?
Enlightenment => journey.
The individual lives in ignorance (muddy depths) but can journey towards enlightenment (emerging from the water) when it sees the true nature of existence (life above the water is very different to experience below it). - like Lotus Flower life cycle
