The Life Of Siddhartha Gautama
The Creator of Buddhism
Movie analysis
The movie we chose to watch was The Buddha: A PBS Documentary by David Grubin and narrated by Richard Gere. As it was a documentary, there were no historical inaccuracies as far as we could tell. This documentary told the life of Buddha as well as his change of perspectives throughout it. It also explained the core of Buddhism itself.
Event Information
Buddha's birthday
Traditionally celebrated in Mahayana Buddhism. In Nepal, the place of Buddha's birth, people celebrate by observing a Buddhist sutra and dressing in pure white. A sweet rice porridge called Kheer is served during the celebration to remember the story of Sujata, a young woman who offered the Buddha food as he was nearing death from starvation.
When?
Saturday, May 25, 480, 12:00 AM
Where?
Lumbini, Western Region, Nepal
Important Figures in Buddha's Life
King Suddhodona
Buddha's father. After Siddhartha's birth, a guru told him of a prophecy that said if his son were to ever leave the palace he would become a holy man. If not, a great king. This caused him to keep Siddhartha sheltered until he took over the kingdom.
Queen Maha Maya
Buddha's mother. Died shortly after Siddhartha's birth. Lore says that she had a vivid dream after he was conceived. In this dream, four spirits led her to a snow-capped mountain where they bathed and clothed her divinely. An elephant appeared with a lotus flower in its trunk. It circled her three times and entered her womb through the right side of her body.
Yasodhara & Rahula
Buddha's wife and son. Siddhartha left the palace when his son was only an infant. He decided to leave before ever knowing his son because if he did, he would never want to leave and endure the cruel world outside.
legend says....
The Buddha - PBS Documentary (Narrated by Richard Gere)
Fun fact!
Yoga is a spiritual practice that is used to transform the mind and body. It originates from pre-Vedic rituals and is practiced within many other religions besides Buddhism (i.e. Hinduism, Jainism, etc.). In modern day, it is a very popular method of exercise and relaxation. We're even going to show you a few yoga poses, so get ready!
phases of life
Prince Siddhartha
As a child, he was sheltered from the world by his father. He lived a luxurious, carefree life behind the safety of the palace walls. There was nothing for him to worry about because his father took care of everything for him. The world seemed beautiful, until...
Ascetic Monk Buddha
Horrified by what he saw outside his own palace walls, he threw himself into a fit of panic and fled. He was ashamed by all the pain and cruelty he had been ignoring his entire life and treated it as his fault alone. He adopted the way of asceticism and secluded himself from civilization, living on only one grain of rice per day. This went on until death was upon him and...
Buddha, The Fully Enlightened One
A young woman passing by noticed his frail state and insisted that he eat the food she offered him. It was at this time that Buddha realized that the world, although cruel, had many kind things to offer. From then on, as he traveled, he vowed that he would not harm himself anymore and accept food only when offered. With his mind made up, he found a resting spot underneath a tree overlooking a stream, and did not move until he had solved all of humanity's problems.
Fun fact!
Buddha is often depicted as a large, fat-bellied man. This may seem odd to Western people because our views on being overweight is very negative. But in Buddhist Asia, this is the exact opposite! A large tummy is a sign of a big, caring heart.
The Four Noble Truth
The truth of suffering (dukkha): This truth explains that everything in life is temporary and nothing is permanent, not even ourselves. There is no pleasure or pain that will last forever as that too will pass.
The truth of the cause of suffering (samudaya): In this truth, Buddha describes specifically what causes the world's pain: craving, otherwise known as greed.
The truth of the end of suffering (nirhodha): With the cause identified, Buddha explains in this truth how it can be stopped. Through great practice and focus, craving can be put to an end.
The truth of the path that frees us from suffering (magga): This truth is where Buddha provides a solution to all of his struggling followers: The Eightfold Path. This is the key to Nirvana, eternal peace.
The truth of the cause of suffering (samudaya): In this truth, Buddha describes specifically what causes the world's pain: craving, otherwise known as greed.
The truth of the end of suffering (nirhodha): With the cause identified, Buddha explains in this truth how it can be stopped. Through great practice and focus, craving can be put to an end.
The truth of the path that frees us from suffering (magga): This truth is where Buddha provides a solution to all of his struggling followers: The Eightfold Path. This is the key to Nirvana, eternal peace.
How the Four Noble Truths Connect To Buddha's Life
The First Noble Truth, he teaches this because until he was 29 he had never seen suffering and afterward he faced suffering and truly knew what it meant to suffer. The second Noble Truth, Buddha taught this because until he put himself through suffering he had only seen what he believed to be suffering after he experienced suffering he truly found the cause of suffering. The third Noble Truth, Buddha realized that becoming content with life's suffering is the only way to end suffering as there is really no true end to suffering unless it is self inflicted suffering.The fourth Noble Truth, the truth of the path that frees us from suffering.