Life of the Buddha Flashcards
1
Q
How was the Buddha’s birth significant?
A
- His mother and father could not have children for 20 years. His mother dreamt that an auspicious white elephant had entered her womb. She becomes pregnant with the Siddhartha Gautama.
- This is significant because this is not a normal birth/conception, which shows that this birth is special.
2
Q
How was the Buddha born?
A
- She gives birth standing up to Siddartha, holding onto a tree branch. It is believed that he emerged from her right side. It is prophesied that he would become a military ruler or a spiritual leader.
- This is significant because he was prophesied to become something great, showing that he is special as no other person could become such great things.
3
Q
How was the Buddha brung up?
A
- His father, the king, keeps him in his palace surrounded by young and healthy servants and courtiers. The gardens of the palace are kept perfectly. Siddhartha never sees anything that is not perfect and beautiful - In effect he never witnesses suffering.
- This is significant because if the Buddha had not grown up sheltered, he might not have discovered suffering as he did, and is important as money and material goods cannot help you to avoid suffering.
4
Q
What did the Buddha discover?
A
- When he was 29, Siddhartha left the palace and saw the ‘four sights’: Old age, sickness, death and a holy man.
- Confused Siddhartha asks the question “why is there so much suffering?” This is the first time he is exposed to the truth about our human nature.
- This is important as life is suffering: everyone gets old, sick and dies; it cannot be avoided.
5
Q
What does the Buddha do because of the Four Sights?
A
- The Great Renunciation - Whilst the rest of the palace is sleeping, he leaves to become a wandering holy man: this is known as the ‘going forth’.
- He changes into beggars’ robes and cuts off all his hair – getting rid of all attachment
- This is important because giving up our attachment to money and material wealth is the start towards the path of understanding the truth.
6
Q
What does Siddartha do after leaving his family?
A
- Siddhartha lives life as a wandering holy man for 6 years. He tries many different approaches to finding the truth.
- One of these was asceticism (self-denial), this is when he lives on 3 grains of rice a day. This takes him to the brink of death!
- This is important as giving up everything cannot help you to avoid suffering.
7
Q
What does the Buddha conclude and what happens as a result?
A
- Eventually, he concludes that none of the approaches he has tried so far is helping him to find the truth.
- He accepts food from a woman, and all his followers wander off, thinking that Siddhartha has given up the quest for the truth so is no longer worth following.
- There has to be a middle way in-between luxury and denial.
- This is important because the middle way, having what you need but not craving after things is the only way to discover the truth.
8
Q
How is meditation important in the Buddha’s life?
A
- However, Siddhartha had not given up at all. He sits down under a tree and decides not to move until he has figured out the truth. Whilst meditating under the tree, Siddhartha has many tempting thoughts sent by the demon Mara, but he manages to resist them all.
- This is important as meditation helps you discover the truth (meditation is important to Buddhists because of this.)
9
Q
What does the Buddha figure out and what does this lead to?
A
- Eventually, Siddhartha figures out the truth (Dhamma) and finally understands the reality of the human condition. He achieves enlightenment.
- After his enlightenment, Siddhartha Gautama became known as the Buddha, this means enlightened one or awakened one (i.e. he was awake to the truth)
-This is important because enlightenment is possible teaching dhamma to others will help them become enlightened.
10
Q
What did the Buddha do after becoming enlightened?
A
- He then spent the next 45 years teaching the Dhamma (truth) to others. His first time teaching the Dhamma was at a deer park in Sarnath. This is called the ‘The Four Noble Truths’
11
Q
What is one impact of the Buddha’s life on Buddhists?
A
- An impact of Siddartha’s life of luxury has led Buddhist monks to live a modest life. By following the Buddha’s example they recognise that a life of luxury will not help them avoid suffering.
12
Q
What is a second impact of the Buddha’s life on Buddhists?
A
- An impact of the Buddha’s dharma is that Buddhists will teach others their wisdom. Mahayana Buddhists believe that after reaching enlightenment they should help guide others on this path.
13
Q
What is a third impact of the Buddha’s life on Buddhists?
A
- An impact of Siddartha witnessing the four sights is that Buddhists recognise that we cannot avoid suffering. This may help them become more compassionate to those who suffer.
14
Q
What is a fourth impact of the Buddha’s life on Buddhists?
A
- An impact of Siddartha’s self-deprivation is that Buddhists choose to live a life of moderation and follow the middle way. This means they will be consious of waste or deprivation.
15
Q
What is a fifth impact of the Buddha’s life on Buddhists?
A
- An impact of Siddartha’s journey to enlightenment will encourage Buddhists to meditate. This was how the Buddha finally reached enlightenment so they will follow his example.
