The early life of Siddhartha Gautama Flashcards
Why is there debate among historians about the details of the Buddha’s life
Some stories within the Buddha’s life are not scientifically nor historically accurate
Describe Queen Maya’s dream and what it symbolised
Whilst she was pregnant with Siddhartha, she dreamt of an elephant coming to her side with a white lotus flower. Priests later told her that this symbolised her unborn son’s potential as either a great leader or holy man
Describe Siddhartha’s life after his marriage
He had a son and a wife named Yashodhara, with whom he spent around a decade of a luxurious honeymoon in castles specially built within royal grounds. They spent this time being entertained by music, fine food and dancers
Describe Siddhartha’s early life in the palace
For almost 30 years, Siddhartha’s father shielded the prince from suffering. Siddhartha spent his youth growing up in a life of luxury. His father hoped that he would never be exposed to witnessing true suffering so he kept away the sick, dead and elderly
What happened to Siddhartha at the ploughing ceremony
Siddhartha saw the cows struggling and realised that suffering could happen to anyone in even the happiest of times. Later, the young Siddhartha fell into a deep meditative trance
Why did Siddhartha’s father want him to have a life of luxury
Siddhartha’s father was the king so he wanted his son to grow up to be a great ruler, and not a holy man. He tried to keep suffering away from his son so that Siddhartha would not be influenced to become holy
