Early Life of Gautam Buddha:
He was born between 483 and 563 AD in Lumbini, Nepal, near Kapilvastu, the then capital of the Shakya Republic. The Lumbini forest was located in the Terai region of Nepal between Kapilvastu and Devdah, 8 miles west of Nautanwa station, near a place called Rukmindei. Mahamaya Devi, the queen of Kapilvastu, on her way to Naihar Devdah, experienced labor pains and gave birth to a child there. The child was named Siddhartha.
He was also called Gautam because of being born in Gautam Gotra. His father was Suddhodhana, the king of the Shakyas. According to the traditional legend, Siddhartha's mother Mayadevi, who belonged to the Koli clan, died seven days after his birth. He was brought up by his maternal aunt and Shuddhodhana's second queen Mahaprajavati (Gautami). The infant was named Siddhartha, which means "He who is born to achieve Siddhi". During the birth ceremony, the sage seer Asit announced from his mountain abode—the child would either become a great king or a great holy guide.
Siddhartha was of a compassionate and serious nature since childhood. Even after growing up, his attitude did not change. Then his father got him married with a beautiful girl named Yashodhara. Yashodhara gave birth to a son who was named Rahul. But Siddhartha's mind did not rest in the household. Went out for a day's excursion. On the way, the patient saw the old and the deceased and the truth of life came to know. They got restless thinking whether this is the speed of man. Then one night when everyone was sleeping in the palace, Siddhartha got up secretly and left his wife and children sleeping and left for the forest.
Slowly, there was a change in the mind of Mahatma Buddha. Prince Buddha expressed his desire to roam the city. He was allowed to tour the city. The king gave a message to the guards of the city that they should not bring any such scene in front of the prince which would create a feeling of detachment in his mind towards the world. Siddhartha went for a walk in the city. He saw the old man in the city. On seeing him, he asked the charioteer, who is this? Why has this situation happened? The charioteer said- This is an old man. In old age this condition occurs in almost all men.
One day Siddhartha saw the patient. Seeing the patient, he asked the charioteer about him. The charioteer told- He is a patient and the disease leads to such a condition of a human being. These incidents increased Siddhartha's disinterest. His mind turned away from worldly pleasures. He decided to leave the world to know the secret of life. He started severe penance in the forest. His body became weak due to penance but the mind did not get peace. Then he chose the middle path, leaving severe penance. Finally he reached a place called Gaya in Bihar and sat meditating under a tree. One day he attained enlightenment. He became 'Buddha' from Siddhartha. That tree became famous as 'Bodhi tree'.
The teachings of Mahatma Buddha were simple. He said that the world is full of sorrows. The cause of sorrow is desire or craving. By giving up desires, one is freed from sorrows. He told the people that by right-seeing, right-feeling, right-discourse, right-behavior, right living, truth-observing, right-thinking and true meditation, man's cravings are quenched and he remains happy. The teachings of Lord Buddha are very relevant even in today's times.
Education:
Siddhartha not only read the Vedas and Upanishads with Guru Vishwamitra, but also took education in politics and warfare. No one can match him in wrestling, horse racing, archery, chariot driving. At the age of sixteen, Siddhartha was married to Yashodhara, a Koli girl. He started living with Yashodhara in a palace built by his father to suit the seasons, where his son Rahul was born. But after marriage, his mind went in dispassion and he left his family for the sake of proper happiness and peace.
The path of nirvana that he suggested to mankind is as relevant today as it was two and a half thousand years ago, he himself renounced the royal pleasures and suffered many types of physical tortures to find the way to the salvation of humanity. It was only after deep contemplation and rigorous spiritual practice that he had attained philosophy under the Bodhi tree in Gaya (Bihar). And he had given initiation to the first five disciples. After that many majestic kings also became his followers. His religion spread rapidly outside India. Even today Buddhism is the main religion of many countries like China, Japan etc.
Ideas:
1. Time that has passed does not come back - We often think that if a work is left unfinished today, it will be completed tomorrow, although the time that has passed now will not come back.
2. "Just as a candle cannot burn itself without fire, so a man cannot live without spiritual life."
3. "Don't get caught up in the past, don't get lost in the dreams of the future, focus on the present, that's the way to be happy."
4. "There are only two mistakes a person can make while walking on the path of truth, either not going the full way or not starting at all."
5. Every human has the right to discover his own world.
6. Understand the importance of every day - Every day a new person is born, every day is for fulfilling a new purpose, so understand the importance of each day.
7. Time elapsed does not come back - We often think that if any work is left unfinished today, it will be completed tomorrow, although the time which has passed now will not come back.
8. Happiness is in our mind – Happiness is not in things bought with money, but happiness is in how we feel, how we behave and how we respond to the behavior of others, so the real happiness is in our brain.
9. There is no distinction between East and West in the sky, people create discrimination in their mind and then believe it to be true.
10. Think of the good things – We become what we think, so think positive things and be happy.
Demise:
Mahatma Buddha continued to propagate the religion throughout his life. In the end, while preaching it, he died at the age of eighty in Kushinagar. He became immortal even after his death. Even today millions of his veterans worship him like a god.
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