The Buddha
Siddhartha’s life (as told in the Pali Cannon):
His mother (Queen Maya) dreamt about a white elephant (show he would have a
great destiny)
Father interpreted this as if he did not see suffering he would become a
great leader, otherwise a holy man.
Took seven steps and lotus flowers sprang up at his feet, protected by four angels.
Also announced that this will be his last rebirth
Nature a key theme in his birth: interconnectedness of the whole world, also
Buddha’s harmony with his natural environment (fits with Bodhi tree later)
Multiple past Buddhas enter the human realm in a 1000-year cycle (he as a
person perhaps not important, mere carrier of his message)
Was able to walk and speak at birth: above others
King gave Siddhartha a life of luxury and happiness- aim to avoid suffering
Cannot control destiny, he couldn’t change the course of nature for his son
Buddha left his palace one day and saw four sights:
Sick man, old man, dead man
Showed dukkha as an inescapable part of life, cannot be avoided
(First Noble Truth)
Anicca: impermanence, life is not permanent, things change and
decay and our physical bodies will die
Acetic monk
There is a way to escape dukkha through following the path of an
acetic
Paul Williams: should not be read as ‘narrative history’ but as a
‘hagiography’
Siddhartha had been brought up to misperceive things, portrays the
situation all unenlightened people are in
Four sights are a catalyst for Gautama’s religious quest and for his teachings
Renounces his life of privilege and commits himself to find the cause
of suffering
His renunciation: giving up everything associated with the material world e.g cut off
his hair (symbol of lavish lifestyle) and became wandering man
After six years of eating very little (just a seed and a grain of rice a day) he
was close to death, was revived and sought to find a Middle Way between
the extremes
After he left the ascetics he went to a forest and sat under the Bodhi tree alone for 7
weeks
Mara (personification of all forces opposed to enlightenment) tried to tempt
Siddhartha yet he resisted this.
Then became enlightened (through four jhanas) and understood the root of all
suffering and how to end it
His first sermon included teaching of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path
Key in his practice was the idea of ‘ehipassiko’ (come and see for yourself),
as he believed that his teachings should not just be taken at face value ‘Do
not believe in anything simply because you have heard it’ (Pali Canon).
Buddha’s last words were: ‘be lamps unto yourselves’.
, Discovery of knowledge comes from within (through meditation), cannot
rely on others to save and help you, take action. Self-reliance.
Different interpretations of his life:
Therevada: Buddha is the ultimate role model in the quest for
enlightenment
Later traditions: recognise Buddha’s achievements but also see other
enlightened figures as role models e.g Dogen in Zen Buddhism
Some see it as a factual account, and others choose to see only the message
of the events.
Influence of Brahminism and Sramana movements:
Brahminism:
Main form of Hinduism, involved caste system with Brahmins (priests) at the
top
Ideas about Karma already existed, as did samsara (could be reincarnated
into a different caste)
During time of the Buddha increased tension between Kshatriyas
(rulers/warriors) and Brahmins as they realised that the priests’ rituals and
sacrifices were no longer necessary. Didn’t want to answer to them
anymore.
Buddha did not want his teachings to be translated into Vedic (language only
monks and scholars could understand) as he wanted them to be accessible
to everyone.
Lotus Sutra: all sentient being can attain enlightenment in their
current existence. (ie not just Brahmins)
Sramana movements (groups of wondering holy men who rejected the Brahmins):
Jainism: no atman (soul), but life-essence in every living thing
Materialism: empirical view, no karma, reincarnation or soul
Evaluation qs:
How might the example of the Buddha be used in practice?
Following the example of the Buddha is not as important as living a Buddhist life in
your own way. To what extent is this true?
What are the limitations of the example of the Buddha?
Just one of the Three Jewels: should not give undue importance to his life
story in neglecting other two (Sangha, Dharma). Ti Gamana Samana
ceremony involves reciting all three (‘I take refuge in the Buddha, I take
refuge in the Dharma, I take refuge in the sangha’- not one ‘most important'
aspect of Buddhism other than goal of reaching enlightenment, which
cannot be done by study of the Buddha alone.
He did say that ‘to see me is to see the Dharma’ though
Though might be supramundane he is not a God, not as central to religion as
Jesus was to Christianity, for example.
Many Buddhist ideas e.g samsara, karma pre-dated the Buddha- he did not
‘invent’ them.
He did explain them in comprehensible ways e.g instruction to Kisa
Gotami to find a mustard seed in the house of someone who has not
experienced the death of a loved one: shows the truth of suffering.
He is a vehicle through which these ideas are communicated.
, Three Jewels/Refuges
Significance of the Refuges and how Buddhists ‘take refuge’:
Tiratana: three jewels- The Buddha, The Dharma, The Sangha
Seek ‘shelter/refuge’ from the wheel samsara, of death and rebirth. Find this in the
following of the Buddha. Some people take refuge in material possessions, people,
or a belief in an all powerful God: these are not ‘true’ refuges and will not give
people the comfort they need.
Ti Samana Gamana ceremony: first step in becoming a disciple of the Buddha,
repeat ‘I take refuge in the Buddha, I take refuge in the Dharma, I take refuge in the
Sangha’ three times.
Through this a person declared that they are committed to attaining
Buddhahood
The Buddha:
Believed that Buddha was the first fully enlightened being (achieved enlightenment
on his own without guidance), and taught the path to the end of suffering.
Perceived differently in different branches:
Therevada: human but respected for his wisdom and as a role model- no
dependence on him for attaining enlightenment.
Some see his supramundane powers as myth but some consider
them possible to due 'abhinas’ (higher powers possible through
meditation).
Mahayana (developed centuries after Buddha’s death): plays down his
humanity and claims that he was semi-spiritual. The eternal Buddha and
bodhisattas can help intervene in people’s spiritual journey.
Zen and Tibetan: Buddha one of many Buddhas in many universes that are
all interconnected. Buddha nature is within us all.
Different scriptures in different traditions due to geographical dispersion:
lack of communication between areas led to differing ideas.
The Dharma:
Various meanings due to different traditions and their related scriptures:
Ultimate Truth/unmediated reality: governs the universe and leads to
enlightenment. In Buddhist metaphysics it is used to describe the
interrelated elements that make up the empirical word.
Buddha’s teachings which lead to enlightenment: Eightfold Path, Four Noble
Truths
Zen Buddhism: dharma is reflected in the scriptures but not contained
within them, it is verified by ‘personal experience’
Famous drawing of Zen Buddhist tearing up the sutras
Buddha said that ‘to see me is to see the Dharma’
The Sangha:
Literally means ‘community’ in Pali but can also refer to:
One’s spiritual community or close associates
The monastic sangha
Rely on the lay-community to provide alms: take small amounts of
alms from whole community (burden on individuals is light) whilst
educating younger generation on the Dharma, so they can gain good
Siddhartha’s life (as told in the Pali Cannon):
His mother (Queen Maya) dreamt about a white elephant (show he would have a
great destiny)
Father interpreted this as if he did not see suffering he would become a
great leader, otherwise a holy man.
Took seven steps and lotus flowers sprang up at his feet, protected by four angels.
Also announced that this will be his last rebirth
Nature a key theme in his birth: interconnectedness of the whole world, also
Buddha’s harmony with his natural environment (fits with Bodhi tree later)
Multiple past Buddhas enter the human realm in a 1000-year cycle (he as a
person perhaps not important, mere carrier of his message)
Was able to walk and speak at birth: above others
King gave Siddhartha a life of luxury and happiness- aim to avoid suffering
Cannot control destiny, he couldn’t change the course of nature for his son
Buddha left his palace one day and saw four sights:
Sick man, old man, dead man
Showed dukkha as an inescapable part of life, cannot be avoided
(First Noble Truth)
Anicca: impermanence, life is not permanent, things change and
decay and our physical bodies will die
Acetic monk
There is a way to escape dukkha through following the path of an
acetic
Paul Williams: should not be read as ‘narrative history’ but as a
‘hagiography’
Siddhartha had been brought up to misperceive things, portrays the
situation all unenlightened people are in
Four sights are a catalyst for Gautama’s religious quest and for his teachings
Renounces his life of privilege and commits himself to find the cause
of suffering
His renunciation: giving up everything associated with the material world e.g cut off
his hair (symbol of lavish lifestyle) and became wandering man
After six years of eating very little (just a seed and a grain of rice a day) he
was close to death, was revived and sought to find a Middle Way between
the extremes
After he left the ascetics he went to a forest and sat under the Bodhi tree alone for 7
weeks
Mara (personification of all forces opposed to enlightenment) tried to tempt
Siddhartha yet he resisted this.
Then became enlightened (through four jhanas) and understood the root of all
suffering and how to end it
His first sermon included teaching of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path
Key in his practice was the idea of ‘ehipassiko’ (come and see for yourself),
as he believed that his teachings should not just be taken at face value ‘Do
not believe in anything simply because you have heard it’ (Pali Canon).
Buddha’s last words were: ‘be lamps unto yourselves’.
, Discovery of knowledge comes from within (through meditation), cannot
rely on others to save and help you, take action. Self-reliance.
Different interpretations of his life:
Therevada: Buddha is the ultimate role model in the quest for
enlightenment
Later traditions: recognise Buddha’s achievements but also see other
enlightened figures as role models e.g Dogen in Zen Buddhism
Some see it as a factual account, and others choose to see only the message
of the events.
Influence of Brahminism and Sramana movements:
Brahminism:
Main form of Hinduism, involved caste system with Brahmins (priests) at the
top
Ideas about Karma already existed, as did samsara (could be reincarnated
into a different caste)
During time of the Buddha increased tension between Kshatriyas
(rulers/warriors) and Brahmins as they realised that the priests’ rituals and
sacrifices were no longer necessary. Didn’t want to answer to them
anymore.
Buddha did not want his teachings to be translated into Vedic (language only
monks and scholars could understand) as he wanted them to be accessible
to everyone.
Lotus Sutra: all sentient being can attain enlightenment in their
current existence. (ie not just Brahmins)
Sramana movements (groups of wondering holy men who rejected the Brahmins):
Jainism: no atman (soul), but life-essence in every living thing
Materialism: empirical view, no karma, reincarnation or soul
Evaluation qs:
How might the example of the Buddha be used in practice?
Following the example of the Buddha is not as important as living a Buddhist life in
your own way. To what extent is this true?
What are the limitations of the example of the Buddha?
Just one of the Three Jewels: should not give undue importance to his life
story in neglecting other two (Sangha, Dharma). Ti Gamana Samana
ceremony involves reciting all three (‘I take refuge in the Buddha, I take
refuge in the Dharma, I take refuge in the sangha’- not one ‘most important'
aspect of Buddhism other than goal of reaching enlightenment, which
cannot be done by study of the Buddha alone.
He did say that ‘to see me is to see the Dharma’ though
Though might be supramundane he is not a God, not as central to religion as
Jesus was to Christianity, for example.
Many Buddhist ideas e.g samsara, karma pre-dated the Buddha- he did not
‘invent’ them.
He did explain them in comprehensible ways e.g instruction to Kisa
Gotami to find a mustard seed in the house of someone who has not
experienced the death of a loved one: shows the truth of suffering.
He is a vehicle through which these ideas are communicated.
, Three Jewels/Refuges
Significance of the Refuges and how Buddhists ‘take refuge’:
Tiratana: three jewels- The Buddha, The Dharma, The Sangha
Seek ‘shelter/refuge’ from the wheel samsara, of death and rebirth. Find this in the
following of the Buddha. Some people take refuge in material possessions, people,
or a belief in an all powerful God: these are not ‘true’ refuges and will not give
people the comfort they need.
Ti Samana Gamana ceremony: first step in becoming a disciple of the Buddha,
repeat ‘I take refuge in the Buddha, I take refuge in the Dharma, I take refuge in the
Sangha’ three times.
Through this a person declared that they are committed to attaining
Buddhahood
The Buddha:
Believed that Buddha was the first fully enlightened being (achieved enlightenment
on his own without guidance), and taught the path to the end of suffering.
Perceived differently in different branches:
Therevada: human but respected for his wisdom and as a role model- no
dependence on him for attaining enlightenment.
Some see his supramundane powers as myth but some consider
them possible to due 'abhinas’ (higher powers possible through
meditation).
Mahayana (developed centuries after Buddha’s death): plays down his
humanity and claims that he was semi-spiritual. The eternal Buddha and
bodhisattas can help intervene in people’s spiritual journey.
Zen and Tibetan: Buddha one of many Buddhas in many universes that are
all interconnected. Buddha nature is within us all.
Different scriptures in different traditions due to geographical dispersion:
lack of communication between areas led to differing ideas.
The Dharma:
Various meanings due to different traditions and their related scriptures:
Ultimate Truth/unmediated reality: governs the universe and leads to
enlightenment. In Buddhist metaphysics it is used to describe the
interrelated elements that make up the empirical word.
Buddha’s teachings which lead to enlightenment: Eightfold Path, Four Noble
Truths
Zen Buddhism: dharma is reflected in the scriptures but not contained
within them, it is verified by ‘personal experience’
Famous drawing of Zen Buddhist tearing up the sutras
Buddha said that ‘to see me is to see the Dharma’
The Sangha:
Literally means ‘community’ in Pali but can also refer to:
One’s spiritual community or close associates
The monastic sangha
Rely on the lay-community to provide alms: take small amounts of
alms from whole community (burden on individuals is light) whilst
educating younger generation on the Dharma, so they can gain good
