Buddha and the early history of BuddhismBuddha and the early history of Buddhism

The doctrines and teachings of Buddhism were founded in India in the 6th century BC bySiddhartha Gautama (later known as Buddha). In essence, he taught a way of life devoid ofauthority, ritual, speculation, tradition, and the supernatural. The life and spiritual journey ofthis exceptional man offers insight into what later became the doctrines and teachings of theworld’s fourth largest religion.

From Siddhartha Gautama to BuddhaFrom Siddhartha Gautama to Buddha

Because the only existing record of Buddha's live was written after his death, it is difficult to verifythe historic accuracy of reports about his life. However, the story of his life can be divided intothree periods which are closely linked with the spiritual journey he took.

Period of enjoyment (563-534 BC)

Siddhartha Gautama was born into the warrior caste around 563 BC near Kapilavastu, India(now part of Nepal). His father, Shuddhodanna, was the ruler of the small kingdom of the Sakyawarriors and wanted this baby to succeed him as leader one day. According to tradition, a wiseold man told his father just after his birth that the little boy would one day become either afamous ruler or a penniless vagrant.

Probably in an attempt to prevent the latter possibility, Shuddhodanna raised the youngprince in an over-protected way and he was not allowed to have any contact with the outsideworld. Buddha would later describe himself as a "spoilt rich man's child". He was trained in thearts and sciences and also encouraged to participate in physical exercises. At the age of twentySiddhartha married Princess Yashodara and a son Rahula ('Chain') was born to them.

In the midst of all the luxury and comfort in which he lived, Siddhartha felt more and morediscontented. Life held no challenges for him, and when he was 29 years old, he decided toleave everything behind, and to travel through the country on foot.

According to legend, Siddhartha undertook four journeys during which he was, for the firsttime, confronted by the “realities of life”. Siddhartha was deeply affected after seeing an old man,a very sick man and a dead body (some say a funeral procession). For the first time this youngman who had been raised in such a protected world realized that suffering was part of lifebecause everybody became old, ill and died.

The young Siddhartha also came across a traveling Hindu beggar-monk that was “a vision ofhappiness and contentment”.

Period of enquiry (534-528 BC)

His encounter with the monk convinced Siddhartha that he had to permanently leave his wife,child and material wealth in a quest for spiritual fulfillment (enlightenment) which would freehim from suffering. This event is referred to as the “great self-denial” and is still celebrated byBuddhists today.

Siddhartha started his quest for the truth in traditional Hindu-style as a begging monk innorthern India. Under the guidance of two famous Brahman saints he studied the Hinduwritings thoroughly and led a life of strict asceticism and self-castigation. He practiced yoga and,according to some legends, some days ate only one rice kernel. However, two aspects ofHinduism - the caste system and asceticism - made this religion unacceptable to him.

Siddhartha realized that the strict ascetism was not going to lead to enlightenment, so heabandoned Hinduism and the ascetic lifestyle and continued his journey.

Period of enlightenment (528-483 BC)

At the age of 36 he was, according to legend, sitting in the shade of a Bo tree near the village ofBodh Gaya in the state of Bihar. His health had deteriorated badly and he was frustratedbecause he still could not discover how one could be liberated from suffering and the continuedcycle of death and reincarnation.

ABOVE: Painting of Buddha meditating under the Bo tree.

He vowed not to get up before he attained enlightenment, and went into a deep state ofmeditation. After some time (some say a few hours while others claim 39 days) a breakthroughcame - in a condition of 'higher consciousness' he allegedly found all the answers that he hadalways been looking for. In this moment of spiritual enlightenment Siddhartha received 'perfectwisdom' about how to be released from suffering.

This event is commemorated today by Buddhists as the “great enlightenment” and Siddharthawas from then onwards called Gautama (his family name) Buddha ('the enlightened one), or justBuddha.

Sharing the answers with othersSharing the answers with others

Buddha named his personal path to enlightenment the “Middle Way” as it avoided the extremesof affluence as well as acetism, both of which only caused him suffering. The answer that hecame to under the Bo tree was that in order to achieve nirvana, one should first free oneself fromall desires and worldly things.

First disciples and Monastic settlements

Buddha later said that he had doubted at first whether people were ready for this message of“saving truth” (dharma), but he nevertheless shared it with a group of five monks in Deer Parknear Benares (Varanasi). The five monks became Buddha's first disciples and although they lefthim for a brief period at some state, they traveled with him while he preached his message ofliberation.

In the Ganges Valley Buddha and his followers established the first of several monasticsettlements for people who wanted to study Buddhism.

Buddha immediately showed his disgust with the caste system by making membership in themonastic settlements open to all except women. He regarded women as the "maintainers of thecycle of death and reincarnation". His stepmother and cousin apparently later persuaded him toallow women, but he believed until his death that the admission of women would cause hisdoctrines to go on existing for only 500 instead of 1 000 years!

ABOVE: A Buddhist monastery in the mountains of Nepal. PHOTO: C.E. Wesker.

Death in Nepal

Buddha still kept criss-crossing India and the adjacent regions for about another 45 years andshared his message with people all over. At one stage he returned to his birthplace for a briefperiod, where he converted his father, his wife and various other members of his family to hisdoctrines.

At the age of 80 Buddha became seriously ill in Kusinagara, Nepal, after he had apparentlyeaten contaminated pork. According to legend, on his deathbed Buddha reminded his favoritedisciple – Ananda - that it was the lot of mankind to take leave of beloved ones through death.He also reminded Ananda to keep in mind that a wise man had to realize that material thingsdisappear, but that "the truth would last forever".

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Article by Manie Bosman (E-Mail maniebosman@mweb.co.za)

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