Buddha
During my exploration of the life of the Buddha at the Cardiff Buddhist Centre, I became captivated by his fascinating journey from princely luxury to the pursuit of profound compassion. This transformation began when he first encountered the harrowing truths of existence known as the Three Sights.
My introduction to the remarkable life of Siddhartha Gautama, the man who would come to be known as the Buddha, was sparked by an intriguing browse of the Buddhanet website. It was here, in this digital repository of Buddhist wisdom, that I first stumbled upon the World Directory of Buddhist websites, ultimately leading me to the welcoming shores of the Cardiff Buddhist Centre.
Siddhartha Gautama—reverently called the "Buddha," which translates to "the one who is awake"—was the founder of Buddhism. Unlike the deities worshipped by many, he was not seen as a god; rather, he was a mortal being who achieved Enlightenment, unravelling the complexities and mysteries of life itself.
Born into a life of privilege, Siddhartha was the son of the chief (king or raja) of a small kingdom situated on the border between India and Nepal. He was also referred to as Shakyamuni, meaning "the wise man of the Shakya clan." As he grew up in the lush, opulent confines of the royal palace in northern India, he devoted himself to an existence of comfort and security. Traditional accounts suggest that he lived from 563 to [insert year here], although some contemporary scholars propose he may have flourished a century later. He was believed to have led a sheltered life, cocooned from the harsher realities of human existence until fate intervened and jolted him out of his complacency.
Legend has it that at Siddhartha's birth, a seer named Asita foretold his future, predicting he would either become a great ruler or a profound religious teacher. His father determined that Siddhartha would follow in his footsteps and inherit his role as a local ruler, so he took drastic measures to shield him from the harsh realities of life. The concerned king feared that if his son were to delve into spiritual matters, he would stray from the path of leadership. Consequently, Siddhartha was confined within the lavish confines of the palace, immersed in luxury while blissfully ignorant of the struggles faced by ordinary people.
However, despite his father's protective efforts, Siddhartha's world was irrevocably changed during fateful encounters. While riding through the vibrant streets with his loyal charioteer, Channa, he came across four significant sights that unveiled the shadows of existence. These encounters are collectively known as the Four Sights, the first three being:
1. an older man, frail and wearied by time 2. A sick person, contorted in pain and suffering 3. A lifeless body, a stark reminder of mortality
The final sight, however, was altogether different:
4. A serene holy man, radiating tranquillity and purpose
These profound experiences opened Siddhartha's eyes to the stark reality that suffering is an inherent part of the human condition—an unavoidable aspect of life. He understood that no amount of royal privilege could insulate him from the inevitabilities of old age, illness, and death. Witnessing the peace emanating from the sadhu, who had dedicated his life to the search for truth, inspired Siddhartha to abandon his lavish existence. He resolved to leave home and embark on the path of a sadhu himself in quest of a remedy for the pervasive suffering that grips humanity.
With a heavy heart, Siddhartha bid farewell to his wife and young child to follow the daunting journey of the wandering holy man. He ventured into the wilderness of India, seeking out various teachers and immersing himself in the practices of meditation and asceticism. An ascetic is a dedicated individual who pursues spiritual awakening through a life of extreme simplicity and strict discipline. However, Siddhartha's journey took a perilous turn as his ascetic practices became so severe that he teetered on the brink of death—yet still, he had not attained accurate understanding.
Finally, with newfound clarity, he realized that the path to Enlightenment lay in embracing the Middle Way—a harmonious balance between the extremes of indulgence and austerity. Turning inward, Siddhartha found solace beneath the sacred Bodhi Tree, vowing to remain there until he had achieved Enlightenment. In this context, Enlightenment signifies a state of awakening; it embodies the profound wisdom required to perceive life in its proper form. After 40 days of intense meditation, Siddhartha attained Enlightenment at the age of 35. As he battled inner demons in the guise of the devil, figure Mara and his alluring daughters, Siddhartha's resolve remained steadfast. Prior to his Enlightenment, he could not have been referred to as the Buddha, for that term signifies an enlightened being. The experience of Enlightenment is not easily articulated; it is a transformative journey that one must undertake to grasp truly.
Buddhists believe that Enlightenment transcends ordinary experiences. While our lives are often bound by conditions such as upbringing, psychology, societal norms, and perceptions, Enlightenment represents a state of liberation—unconstrained by such limitations. In this liberated state, the Buddha attained profound wisdom concerning the deepest facets of existence, including the roots of human suffering that had initially propelled him on his spiritual quest.
Once Siddhartha became enlightened, he wandered the land, sharing his insights and teachings. Initially, he was viewed as one among many wandering preachers, alongside Brahmins and sadhus, who significantly influenced the religious landscape of the time. These itinerant teachers garnered followers, known as lay Buddhists, who provided for their essential needs. A lay Buddhist refers to householders who embrace the Buddha's teachings while continuing to navigate the everyday responsibilities of life.
