Life of Gotama Buddha GOTAMA BUDDHA A unique

Life of Gotama Buddha

GOTAMA BUDDHA A unique Being, an extraordinary Man arises in this world for the benefit of the many, for the happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world, for the good, benefit, and happiness of gods and men. It is the Tathagata, the Exalted, Fully Enlightened One. - Anguttara Nikaya PT. 1, XII P. 22. Time - Full moon day of May, in the year 623 B. C. Place of birth - Lumbini Park at Kapilavatthu, India borders of present Nepal. Father - King Suddhodana of the aristocratic Sakya clan Mother - Queen Maha Maya. She died seven days after his birth. Queen sister - Maha Pajapati Gotami, adopted and nursed him. Prince - Siddhattha - means wish fulfilled – Buddha to-be (Bodhisatta)

OUR LORD BUDDHA IN HIS PAST LIFE Our Lord Buddha, in one life time in the past was named Sumedha. He gave away the wealth inherited and said: “My parents and grand-parents knew only how to amass wealth but did not know to take it away beyond death. I shall now give away my property in alms so that the merit of the deeds may follow me after death”

Sumedha Hermit made Verbal Aspiration In one life time as Ascetic Hermit Sumedha at the time of Buddha Dipankara he offered his body Sumedha spread himself out upon the mud with his face downwards, his body serving as a bridge so that the Buddha could tread on. He made his verbal aspiration to become a Buddha at some future time. From that time to the time of becoming Gotama Buddha took him four-Asankheyya and 1, 000 world cycles. (twenty-four Buddha’s preceded him. )

He completed Ten Perfections and awaits in Tusita Heaven After fulfilling the ten perfections (parami’s) for four incalculable aeons and one hudred thousand world cycles, he awaited his time in Tusita heaven for his rebirth in the human world as Gotama Buddha. Gods gathered around him and requested him to descend to the human world as it is suitable time for him to appear in the world.

Bodhisatta Conception In her dream, The Queen Maha Maya in her dream – saw the Devas of the Four Kings took her to the Himalaya to wash her in the lake Anotatta Lake, and bathed her to remove every human stain. They then adorned her divine cloth divine garments. The white elephant then enter her womb to begin the Bodhisatta conception. Queen Maha Maya Dream

Bodhisatta – Prince Siddhatta On the full moon day in May (Vesak) she had permission to return to her family on the way at the pleasure grove of sal trees, called Lumbini Grove, she delivered the Bodhisatta. Four Brahmas came to receive him. Bodhisatta was born in Lumbini Pleasure Garden 623 B. C, India

Prince Siddhatta and Princess Yasodaya wedding The Prince Siddhatta & Princess Yasodara Marriage Exhibiting his skill as Prince to win the hand of her cousin. The Prince Siddhatta married his cousin Yasodaya in a grand wedding

The Four Signs At 29 years he went to the park and saw the Four Signs, an old man, a sick man, a dead man and a monk. His mind turned ardently to retiring from the world. He said to himself, "It behooves me to go forth on the Great Renunciation this very day". At that moment he received the news that his son Rahula was born.

Siddhatta’s Renunciation The Prince left the Palace , his wife and son and went forth in quest of the deathless Dhamma to escape from the cycle of births and rebirths (Samsara).

Bodhisatta Cuts Off his Hair to become a Monk The Prince before entering the forest, cuts off his hair and took a vow. "If I am to become a Buddha, let it stay in the sky; but if not, let it fall to the ground". And Sakka, the King of the gods, received it in a golden casket, and enshrined it in Sulamani Cedi in the heaven of Thirty-three.

He Rejected King Bimisara’s Offer Now the ascetic prince collected his alms begins his quest for the deathless. There, Bimbisara, the King, approached the Future Buddha, and being pleased with his princely demeanor and appearance, offered him all his kingly glory. "Great King", replied the Future Buddha, "I do not seek for the gratification of my sensual luxuries I have retired from the world for the sake of the supreme and absolute enlightenment of Buddha.

Six Years of Austerity Practice After acquiring the mundane knowledge of supernatural power from his Brahmin teachers Alara Kalarma and Uddaka Ramaputta he left them and practices austerity for six years. He was on his quest for enlightenment as Buddha.

Giving up Austerity Practice returned to eating normal Food. After six years of austerity practice, he returned to taking food to replenish his energy. On the full moon day of the month Vesakha (April-May), our Future Buddha at age 35, was sitting under the banyan tree. Sujata caught sight him took him for a tree God, her benefactor, she offered him milk-porridge in a golden bowl. It was Brahmin tradition to worship tree God in those days.

He was under attacks from Mara God After the meal, went into deep absorption (jhanas) meditation with full determination. Mara daughters came by to seduce him. Mara launched several attacks but lost. Our Buddha conquered them and attained enlightenment.

Attained Enlightenment as Supreme Buddha Victorious over Mara’s Attacks to spoil his quest for Enlightenment. He finally attained his enlightenment. He acquired: The knowledge of previous existences; The divine eye - see the beings of all thirty-one Complete emancipation. Wednesday the full moon day of Vesakha (April -May) at dawn. Our Buddha was fulfilling his ten perfections through Buddha’s: Dipankara, Kondana, Mangala, Sumana Revata, Sobhita, Anomadassi, Paduma, Narada, Padumuttara, Sumedha, Sujata, Piyadassi, Atthadassi , Dhammadassi, Siddhattaa, Tissa, Phussa, Vapassi, Sikkhi, Vessabhu, Kakusandha, Konagamana, Kassapa. (Twenty four Buddhas for a period of four asankheyya and 1, 000 world cycles before he became a supreme Buddha. ) Theravada worship only 28 Buddhas and no other arahats for mundane benefits. His dispensation will endure for 5, 000 years

Buddha Instructed the Two Brothers – Saputta & Balikka Not long after his attainment, the Blessed One sat cross- legged at the foot of the Rajayatana tree. At that time two brothers Tapussa and Bhallika, from Okkalavillage called Ukkala were on a trading journey near by. A deity related to them in a past existence informed the two brothers and directed them to the Buddha. The two brothers approached the Buddha and offered the cakes. They were the foremost lay disciples in this Buddha sasana and addressed the Buddha “may the Blessed One receive us as disciples for life”. The Bless one offered them in return eight strands of hairs to be enshrined in Cetiya now known as Shwedagon in Myanmar, where his teaching would flourish in some future time after it disappeared in India. Foods from the Two Brothers and bowls from Devas of the four Kings were offered.

Buddha Hair Relics Enshrined Pagoda Saputta and Balikka with the help of King Okkalapa built a Cetiya to enshrine the Eight strands of Buddha’s Hair Relics at Shwedagon Sandawshin Pagoda, Myanmar

Brahma Sampati Invited Buddha to Preach Buddha thought that beings are like lotus flowers, some come up to the surface and some became food for the fishes. To whom should I deliver the dhamma that I just discovered? The Four Noble Truths of suffering: a. the truth of suffering; the truth of the cause of suffering; the truth of ending the suffering; and the truth of the path leading to the end of suffering. The Brahma Sahampati appeared before Him and invited Him to preach the Dhamma

Preached to the Five Ascetics Buddha at the Deer Park in Benares, delivered the – the First Four Noble Truths and the first Sermon to the five ascetics: Ven. Kondanna, Ven. Assaji, Ven. Bhaddiya, Ven. Vappa, Ven. Mahanama: His dispensation would endure for 5, 000 years. The path leading us to end the cycle of births and rebirths in this Samsara. Delivered his first sermon in Migadaya at Isipatana, near Benares (Varanasi) India. (In 588 B. C) a. The Four Noble Truths, b. The Noble Eightfold Path.

Noble Eightfold Path to Nibbana PANNA GROUP - WISDOM. samma-ditthi--Right View samma-sankappa--Right Thinking SILA GROUP - MORALITY samma-vaca--Right Speech samma-kammanta--Right Action samma-ajiva--Right Livelilihood SAMADHI GROUP - CONCENTRATION samma-vayama--Right Effort samma-sati--Right Mindfulness Samma-samadhi – Right concentration

Buddhist Five Precepts The Pali version of Fives Precepts panatipata veramanisikkhapadamsamadiyami. Adinnadana veramanisikkhapadamsamadiyami Kamesumicchacara veramanisikkhapadamsamadiyami. Musavada veramanisikkhapadamsamadiyami. Suramerayamajja pama datthana veramanisikkhapadamsamadiyami. English version: I pledge to observe abstaining from killing living beings. I pledge to observe abstaining from taking what is not given. I pledge to observe abstaining from committing sexual misconduct I pledge to observe abstaining from telling lies I pledge to observe abstaining from taking any intoxicant.

Yasa Attained the Arahatship Yasa the son of lady Sujata first met the Buddha and was ordained as Bhikkhu and after listening to the Buddha’s discourse attained the arahatship. Emancipation in this very life.

Buddha Ministry Buddha assigned sixty arahats to go in all four directions to preach the Dhamma on his behalf for the happiness and welfare of Gods and men.

Sariputta met Ven. Assaji Sariputta and Moggallana were the two Buddha Chief Disciples. The two undertook training under Sanjaya as wandering ascetics. One day Sariputta met the Venerable Assaji (one of the five foremost disciples) going alms round at Rajagaha. Ven. Asaji introduced Sariputta to Buddha. Sariputta and Mogallana met our Lord Buddha and soon were ordained and become his chief Disciples – Shin Saripuitta and Shin Moggallana

Buddha Performed Twin Miracles Buddha returned to Kapilavatu to see his father and his family. To subdue his proud relatives he perform twin miracles – fire and water streaming from both sides of his body. The sky then became overcast with clouds and poured down a shower of rain and only those who wished to be wet became wet. They marveled at this miracle and showed greater respect towards the Buddha and pay their obeisance to our Lord Buddha

Aunt Pajapati Gotami request to Establish Bhikkhuni Order Our Lord Buddha step-mother Pajapati Gotami requests our Lord Buddha for permission to establish Bhikkhuni order under his guidance. Mahapajapati Gotami and his former wife Yasodaya were ordained as Bhikkhuni and both attained arahatship. Buddha heritage has both male and female sanghas in the beginning.

His son Rahula Asked for his Inheritance His son Rahula asked for inheritance from his father, who then took him back to the monastery and ordained him as Samanera and later became an arahat. Yasodaya, his former wife, too became an arahat after ordination as Bhikkhuni.

Buddha’s Female Supporters Yasodara – His wife– as Sumita – aspired 24 Buddhas ago to support our Lord Boddha as his soul mate before Dipankara Buddha. Maha Maya – aspired to be his mother many aeons ago Maha. Pajamati Gotami-foster mother-aspired to establish Order of Bhikkhuni in his dispensation, 100, 000 world cycle ago. Khema Theri – aspired to be his chief disciple 100, 000 world cycle ago. Uppalavanna Theri – aspired to be his chief disciple 100, 000 world cycle ago. Sumita aspired to be his soul mate when Buddha was Sumedha ascetic

Preaching Abhidhamma in Tavatimsa Heaven Our Lord Buddha went to Tavatimsa heaven to deliver the Abhidhamma and Pathanna to Gods (Devas and Brahmas) presided over by his former mother Maha Maya, now a male Deva by the name of Matu Deva Putta Deva. Abhidhamma is the higher learning in Buddhism,

Chief Female Disicples – Khema & Upalavanna Khema Theri was formerly Bimbisara queen. Later she was ordained and entered the order of Bhikkhuni Sangha. She attained arahatship and became the first chief female disciple of our Lord Buddha. The second chief female disciple was Uppalavanna Theri. In one life time she was born to the world from flower and in this life her skin resembled that of blue lotus flower.

Buddha Ministering the Sicks At the Monastery, he cared for the sick Bhikkhu’s. . Immediately the Blessed One sent the Venerable Ananda to fetch water and Himself poured water while the Venerable Ananda scrubbed and cleaned the sick. The Buddha and the Venerable Ananda thus did their duty of ministering to the sick

Buddha Paritta Suttas Ven. Ananda reciting “Ratana sutta Paritta” at the city of Vesali to relieve the citizens from pestilence and famine. To this day, many in Theravada countries recite this sutta to eradicate pestilence and famine. Buddha also had composed “Bojjhanga Sutta Paritta” to relieve and eradicate severe sickness.

Offering of Alms Food to Buddha and Samghas It is the Buddhist Theravada Tradition to offer alms food to the Buddha and sanghas and make this salutation of our devoted offers as shown in picture so they could proceed to partake the alms food.

Buddha’s Chief Disciples Male Disciples (Thera’s) Bhikkhu Ven. Kondanna –Thera Ven. Saiputta - Thera Ven. Moggalanna - Thera Ven. Maha Kassapa Ven. Anuruddha - Thera Senior most Thera Possessing great wisdom – Chief Disciple possessing great supernatural power keeping austere practice possessing the divine eye. Female Disciples (Theri’s) Bhikkhuni Mahapajapatigotami Theri Khema Theri Uppalavanna Theri’Patacara – Theri Nanda – Theri Senior most Bhikkhuni possessing great wisdom – chief disciple possessing supernatural power-chief disciple expert in vinnaya rules great in jhanas

The Law of Dependent Origination Dependent on Conditioning Activities arises (Relinking) Consciousness (vinnana). Dependent on (Relinking) Consciousness arise Mind and Matter (nama-rupa). Dependent on Mind and Matter arise the Six Spheres of Sense (salayatana). Dependent on the Six Spheres of Sense arises Contact (phassa). Dependent on Contact arises Feeling (vedana). Dependent on Feeling arises Craving (tanha). Dependent on Craving arises Grasping (upadana). Dependent on Grasping arises Becoming (bhava). Dependent on Becoming arises Birth (jati). Dependent on Birth arise Decay (jara), Death (marana), Sorrow (soka), Lamentation (parideva), Pain (dukkha) Grief (domanassa), and Despair (upayasa).

Buddha Sasana Heritage Buddha has left the following fellow workers to carry on his dispensation to last for 5, 000 years: Bhikkhu - Monk Bhikkhuni – female Monk Samanera – Novice Samaneri – (female novice) Sikkhaman – female Upasaka - (male devotee) Upasika - (female lay devotee)

True Emancipation - Nibbana Buddha’s Victory Trumpet 'Thro' many a birth in existence wandered I, Seeking, but not finding, the builder of this house. Sorrowful is repeated birth. O housebuilder, thou art seen. Thou shalt build no house again. All thy rafters are broken. Thy ridge-pole is shattered. Mind attains the Unconditioned. Achieved is the End of Craving.

Famous Rich Lay Disciples Anathapindaka – Rich Male lay disciple – attained Sotapanna reborn in Deva world Visakha – Rich female disciple. Attained Sotapanna reborn in Deva world. Lay folks could attain: Sotapanna – stream winner Sekadagami – once returner Anagami – non-returner

Pouring Water of Libation Tradition - Pouring the water of libation, following the offering dedicated to the dead. Started when King Bimbisara after making his offering to the Buddha, in the name of his ancestors reborn as Petas (hungry ghost) He pour the water of libation to share merits with them. The tradition continues until today. Buddha preached - Buddha preached the Tirokutta Sadhu, Sadhu *Well done, Well done”

Buddha Parinibbana He passed away by attaining Jhanas in their various stages progressively. This took place. on Tuesday Wesak Full Moon Day of May, in His 80 th year, 543 B. C. Parinibbana - Final Release from birth and death of the Buddha Ministry ; asted 45 years

Buddha Stupas (Pagodas) Buddha body was cremated and relics distributed to build Cetiya – Stupas in reverence to Buddha. People worthy of Stupa: Buddhas (Tathagatas) Paccekabuddhas, Ariya disciples, and Universal Monarchs. Three Types of Stupas Sariradhatu cetiya - relics are enshrined are known as; Uddissa cetiya - stupas and figures made in the likeness and the stupas Paribhoga cetiya - where personal effects like robes, bowls, etc. are enshrined

Mettreyya Buddha in 10, 000 years from now Duration of Gotama Dispensation The Dispensation will last for 5, 000 years Our current life span is 100 years Some 2, 400 years the world will end Buddha Relics will gathered and form a Miracle Image to deliver Dhamma to Devas and Brahmas Some 10, 000 Years later Mettreyya Buddha will appear in India, Benares (Ketumati City) Mettreyya will be born in a Brahmin family and the Life span will then be 100, 000 years