Introduction to Buddhism (pt.3)

— life of Shakyamuni Buddha

In the coming posts, we will explore the life of Shakyamuni Buddha. The Buddha’s biography has been represented in many mediums, from simple children stories to films and novels.  Our exploration will not be a retelling of the many existing information but a closer look at specific events in the Buddha’s life and what we can take away from it in our journey in applying Buddhist concepts to our lives.

The Buddha’s birth.

The Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, was born between 563 BCE - 624 BCE in Lumbini Garden (modern day Nepal) to King Śuddhodana and Queen Maya, of the Shakya clan.  In all traditions, when prince Siddhartha was born he took seven steps, with a lotus appearing under his feet.  After his seventh steps, with one finger pointed to the sky and one to the ground he announced. 

“Heaven above and heaven below

I alone reign supreme,

My endless cycle of rebirth

Has now come to an end.”

Like all religions these stories and depictions hold many symbolism and meaning we can draw from.

The seven steps the Buddha took has different meanings depending on which sutra is studied. Below are a few symbols of this event.

Each step is a direction where the Buddha’s teachings can transcend to; east, south, west, north, up, down and here. He will achieve enlightenment and provide a method of liberation for all sentient beings.

Each step can also represent each of the six realms of existence, with the seventh being liberation from the cycle of samsara (cycle of birth and death).

The common theme of this description is the Buddha is professing his goal of ultimate wisdom and to transmit it to all sentient beings everywhere.

The lotus is a very important flower to Buddhism.  It is very common and used in all Buddhist traditions. The lotus represents purity and enlightenment because the flower grows in murky water but blooms clean and pure outside of the mud.

The baby Buddha announcement may be wrongly interpreted if one does not fully understand the meanings.  At first glance it appears arrogant and self centred but it is a declaration of the Buddha’s birth.

Heaven above and heaven below I alone reign supreme  

-  This is just a statement that the baby Buddha will achieve Buddhahood and there is no other like a Buddha anywhere you seek. The “I” in this statement applies to the baby Buddha but also means any who is and will become a Buddha as well. This is a powerful statement that acknowledges all sentient beings have the ability to take control of their destiny and achieve Buddhahood.

My endless cycle of rebirth has now come to an end.

- This is his last life subjected to the cycle of samsara.

The exact date is not known, however during the first conference of The World Fellowship of Buddhists in 1950 it was agreed that Vesak Day (Buddha’s birthday), renunciation day, enlightenment day and parinirvana day (Buddha’s death)  will be observed on the first full moon in the month of May. In Chinese Buddhism, the 8th day of the 4th lunar month is observed as the Buddha’s birthday.

Asita, a local sage and seer, visited King Śuddhodana and the infant Prince Siddartha.  Upon seeing the prince he wept and prophesied that the prince would become the universal world leader (Cakravartin) or a great religious teacher. He wept because he would never live long enough to see the prince reach his potential.

The events surrounding the Buddha's birth show us how unique and precious the birth of a Buddha is. That one should practise and cherish Buddha’s teachings while it still reminds in the world.

The Four Sights

This event is the most famous and well known surrounding the Buddha’s life.

King Śuddhodana wished that his son, Prince Siddhartha would one day become the universal world leader (Cakravartin) and bring glory to the Sakya tribe, surrounding the young prince in pleasure and luxury.  Prince Siddhartha grew up not knowing pain and suffering, however he was curious of the world outside and the kingdom he would inherit.  Accompanied by his attendant he ventured outside the palace four separate times and witnessed four sights that sparked his desire to seek liberation.

When he ventured outside the palace gates he saw old age, sickness, death and an ascetic (spiritual practitioner). 

Witnessing old age, sickness and death made Prince Siddhartha feel that life is marked with painful and unavoidable circumstances.  He felt powerless and couldn’t protect his loved ones and all beings.  However, seeing the calm demeanour of the ascetic made him feel that escape of suffering is possible. 

This event planted the seed for Prince Siddhartha to seek answers to liberate oneself from suffering. 

Just like all of us ordinary human beings, Prince Siddhartha at a young age was curious about his surroundings, this lead him to venture outside the palace gates and encountered the rough truth of reality. But without the glimpse of thoughts of escaping, his love and compassion for all being guided him to seek solutions. Watching the ascetic shows him that there is a possible way to solve the problem he faced. This solution oriented mentality shaped how Buddhism is practiced. Buddhist philosophy seeks out the problem, identifies possible solutions and a path to the solution!

We could continue to explore the other life events of the Buddha but this blog is getting lengthy.  Next issue we’ll explore Prince Siddhartha’s renunciation and the Buddha’s enlightenment.