Chapter 1 Buddhism

• Buddha was born a prince in Kalinga, Orissa India.
• Buddha was a member of the Sakyas clan, his father was Suddhodana, king of the clan, and his mother is Maya.
• There is no consensus on the date of Buddha's birth.
• Buddha was born, but nobody really knows.


  623 or 624 BCE
• It is said that Buddha's mother gave birth without causing any pain.
• The Earth shook as Buddha was born.
• Buddha was miraculously showered with water at birth.
• Buddha stood up and took seven steps then announced that he would be the “chief of the world.”
• Buddha stated that this would be his last reincarnation.
• Siddhartha Gautama


  Buddha's name, Siddhartha meaning “one who has achieved his aim”, Gautama was his clan name.
• Sakyamuni


  Means “the sage of the Sakyas”.
• Buddha was raised as a Hindu.
• Buddha was assumed to succeed his father later in life.
• Buddha was predicted to become either a universal monarch or a monk who would be a great religious teacher.
• Buddha was raised in a state of luxury in hopes that he would become attached to earthly things and pleasure.
• At 16, Buddha married his wife Yasodhara.
• At 29, Buddha had a son named Rahula.
• After his son's birth, some said Buddha took four journeys by chariot, others say that he had four visions.
• Buddha's first trip


  Disturbed by seeing an elderly, helpless, frail man.
• Buddha's second trip


  Saw a thin and depressed man suffering from diseases.
• Buddha's third trip


  Saw a grieving family carrying a corpse to a cremation site.
• Buddha's fourth trip


  Saw a religious person begging for money from others.
• The four trips/visions motivated Buddha to follow the path of a religious person and find spiritual solutions to problems of human suffering.
• Buddha left his family and lifestyle to seek truth.
• Seeking the Solution of Human Suffering

  1. First tried meditation

  2. Learned from two teachers

  3. Returned to normal consciousness

  4. Faced unsolved problems

  5. Joined a group of students in a forest

  6. Practised breath control and fasted intensely for six years.
• Buddha said fasting brought him to near death by only eating a few grains of rice.
• Some say Buddha only consumed a spoonful of bean soup per day.
• This produced a series of physical discomforts for Buddha.
• Buddha rejected the path of extreme mortification of the flesh and hedonism.
• Nirvana


  The state of liberation and freedom from suffering.
• Buddha realized that to achieve Nirvana was to pursue a “Middle Way”.
• Middle Way


  Largely defined by moderation and mediation.
• At the age of 35, Buddha was seated underneath a large tree, known as the Bodhi Tree.
• Buddha began to experience major spiritual breakthroughs under the Bodhi Tree.
• First watch of the night


  Developed ability to recall previous reincarnation events.
• Second watch of the night


  Was able to see good and bad deeds leading to subsequent reincarnation.
• Third watch of the night


  Progressed beyond “spiritual defilements”.
• Buddha attained Nirvana and would never again be reincarnated into a future life.
• Buddha became a saviour, deliverer, and redeemer.
• Events under the tree are often described in mythological terms in Buddhist literature and art.