Spiritual religion is one of main aspects of human civilization. Buddhism is one of four religions that have most followers besides Christianity, Judaism, and Hinduism. Siddhartha Gautama, called Buddha, was the founder and awakened leader of Buddhism. His life has a great influence on this religion belief. Siddhartha’s Birth Siddhartha Gautama was born as the royal prince at Lumini (a place in Nepal now). His father was the king of a clan named Shakyas named Shuddhodana Gautama, and his mother was queen Mayadevi.
Queen Mayadevi had the dream that the white elephant descended from heaven and entered into her womb. After that, the queen got pregnancy. When she was giving birth of the child, she did not experience the pain. It was a miracle birth. The Hindu gods and godless came and blessed the child, and they took him from the side of the queen (“About Buddha. ”). The baby stood up right after the delivery and walked some steps into four directions. He had the birthmark of a wheel or chakra on the bottom of his feet. Queen May died seven days after of Siddhartha’ birth.
After that, Siddhartha was took care by his mother’s sister. As the practice of all near East civilization, the king invited the fortuneteller- Brahmin to the palace to predict the future of the newborn baby. The priest told the king: “There are signs that the boy could become either a chakravatin king, a ruler of the entire world, or a fully enlightened Buddha. However, since the time for chakravatin kings is now past it is certain that he will become a Buddha, and that his beneficial influence will pervade the thousand million worlds like the rays of the sun. (“About Buddha”).
Siddhartha’s Pleasant Prison According to the prediction, Siddhartha could be a world ruler or a world spiritual teacher. The king wanted him to be a king like himself. The king protected Siddhartha to all of thing that may lead Siddhartha into the spiritual life. He was kept in peace inside the palace walls. As a member of warrior caste, Siddhartha was training to be a strong and brave warrior. They taught him the arts of war. All the beauty and healthy were surrounding him. Only the pink world contained in his mind because he was prohibited to go outside.
As the tradition of Hinduism, Siddhartha was arranged in marriage with the princess of the other country and had two children. Great Going Fourth Siddhartha concerning about the world was increasing as he was growing up. He demanded to visit nearby towns. He was amazed by seeing an old man, a sick man, the corpse of dead person, and an ascetic monk. That was the first time of his life seeing the example of oldness, sickness, and death. Those imagines marked the turning point of Siddhartha’s life. He decided to escape the palace to searching the answers for his questions about life.
He gave his horse to his servant, cut his long hair, and removed his jewels, and worn simple clothes. He went to world with questions about life, about suffering, death, and about human experience. He wanted to find out a way to come over suffering. Other five “seekers” companied with him in the first experiment. They did meditation, and practiced strictness with little food, water, and less sleep. By doing this, he hoped that he would find new insight or spiritual power. However, he did not achieve his goal; he fainted and felt sick. A woman came to rescue those starving monks with milk.
He broke up the party of five and did the second experiment, which was considering the path of moderation. He locked himself into an ascetic life and practiced with self-discipline. He sat under the fig tree and concentrated in mediation deeply avoiding all the distractions. He promised to stay there until he had understanding. Finally, in a full moon night, he opened his mind, totally understood all questions of suffering, and became Buddha, means “he who is awake. ” Mara, the evil one failed to distract him with all kind of temptations. (Dr. Boeree).
Buddha became totally enlightenment. He entered profound states of awareness. He saw his past life. He understood the law of Karma, which explained that our past actions affect our life ang our present actions would affect our future. He achieved insight into release from suffering and rebirth. He travelled to Deer Park, came across the five ascetics, and explained to them the Four Noble Truths, and the Noble Eightfold Path, and they became the first disciples of Buddhism. Those ascetics started Sangha, or community of monks, and taught the Dharma, which is Buddha’s teaching.
He passed away as age of 80 after 45 years of teaching. Thus, leaving the suffering and building a happy life is the ultimate goal (Nirvana) of his teaching. Therefore, the moral foundation of Buddhist is built on the teaching of Buddha on the path to end suffering. Buddha has established a moral foundation to transform bad people become good people, evil ones become Buddha, from confusion to enlightenment. His teaching has only one main purpose that is bringing happiness to human beings. Buddha stated his purpose of enlightenment and liberation from suffering.
Buddha always shows the compassion, tolerance. His personality is an example of human moral values of bringing happiness to him and other people. Each step of meditation is a step away from psychological disorders and physical health. People will get peace, happiness, the freedom of mind. Buddhist morality is the morality of compassion, love for people and all species. It also reminds people about the Karma. Buddha’s teachings are good moral encouragements from thought, good words, and charity activities. It promoted human position and proved that humans can achieve the enlightenment.
If those moral teachings are practiced in real life, it will bring happy life for individuals, families, and society. It also contributes a peaceful world. Buddha left his community, his family, his wife, and his children to seek the enlightenment. However, he showed his concerning with family and social relationships through his teachings. Each person should responsibly to their life according to their functions and duties. Having a happy life or not is depending on the how people react to their social relations, and “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. ” (Buddha).
