3.2.1 The Buddha

The Birth of the Buddha

Parents and Birth:

Siddhartha Gautama, who later became known as the Buddha, was born to Queen Maya and King Suddhodana, leaders of the Shakya tribe. His birth is surrounded by miraculous events and symbolism.

Queen Maya's Dream:

While pregnant, Queen Maya dreamt of a pure white elephant entering her womb, which was interpreted as a sign that her child would be someone special, possibly a great king or spiritual leader.

Birth in Lumbini:

Following tradition, Queen Maya travelled to her parental home for the birth. On the way, she gave birth to Siddhartha in a garden in Lumbini. It is said that Siddhartha was born without his mother experiencing pain, and he immediately took seven steps, with lotus flowers blooming where his feet touched the ground. He then declared, "This is my last birth, there is no more coming to be," foreshadowing his future enlightenment.

Significance:

These stories, while difficult to verify due to their oral transmission and eventual recording centuries later, hold great symbolic importance in Buddhism. They convey the idea of the Buddha's uniqueness and his predestined role in bringing enlightenment to the world.

The Buddha's Life of Luxury

Early Life:

Siddhartha's mother, Queen Maya, died just seven days after his birth, and he was raised by his aunt, Maha Pajapati. Siddhartha grew up in extreme luxury, shielded from the hardships of life by his father, King Suddhodana.

Palatial Life:

To prevent Siddhartha from encountering suffering and being drawn to a religious life, King Suddhodana kept him confined within the palace grounds. Siddhartha was provided with everything he could desire: fine clothes, the best food, music, and a life of pleasure. He had three palaces, each suited for different seasons.

Reflection:

Siddhartha later reflected on his sheltered life, saying, "I was delicately nurtured... At my father's residence, lotus ponds were made just for my enjoyment... By day and by night a white canopy was held over me so that cold and heat, dust, grass and dew would not settle on me." This quote illustrates the extent of the comfort and luxury that surrounded him, but also hints at his growing dissatisfaction with such a life.

Story Time: The Buddha as a Child

• The Incident with the Swan: One day, Siddhartha and his cousin Devadatta were walking in the woods when Devadatta shot down a swan. Siddhartha, reaching the injured bird first, tended to it and refused to return it to Devadatta, arguing that the swan belonged to the one who tried to save it, not to the one who harmed it.
• Moral Lesson: This story teaches Buddhists the value of compassion and the sanctity of life, principles that are central to Buddhist ethics. It reflects the Buddha's early inclination towards kindness and non-violence, traits that would later define his teachings.

The Four Sights

Curiosity Beyond the Palace: Despite his luxurious life, Siddhartha grew curious about the world outside the palace walls. At the age of 29, he ventured out with his chariot driver, Channa, and encountered four sights that would profoundly impact his life.

The Four Sights:

1. Old Age: Siddhartha saw a frail old man, and for the first time, he realized the inevitability of aging.
2. Illness: He encountered a sick man in agony, understanding that illness is a part of life.
3. Death: He witnessed a funeral procession, which made him realize that death is unavoidable for everyone, including kings.
4. A Holy Man: Lastly, Siddhartha saw a holy man, a renunciant, who seemed peaceful despite having nothing. This sight inspired Siddhartha to seek a spiritual path to understand and overcome the suffering he had witnessed.

Leaving the Palace

• Renunciation: Determined to find the answer to suffering, Siddhartha left the palace at night, abandoning his wife and newborn son. He renounced his royal life, symbolically cutting off his hair and exchanging his luxurious clothes for the simple robes of a beggar.
• Significance of Renunciation: Siddhartha's act of renunciation is significant because it represents the Buddhist principle of letting go of attachments. In Buddhist teachings, renunciation is seen as a crucial step towards enlightenment, as it helps one overcome desires and ignorance, the root causes of suffering.

Quick Review Questions:

1. Can one realistically avoid encountering old age, sickness, and death until the age of 29? Reflect on whether Siddhartha's sheltered life was beneficial or harmful in understanding the nature of suffering.
2. Was Siddhartha justified in leaving his family to seek the truth? Consider the ethical implications of his decision and how it aligns with Buddhist values.
3. Are the Four Sights best understood as literal events or symbolic metaphors? Discuss whether defining life by old age, sickness, and death is a negative perspective, or if it reflects a deeper truth about the human condition.