Cultivating Inner Harmony: A Glimpse into Buddhism
Buddhism: (563BC – 483BC)
Buddha’s life
Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, was born in 563 BC (widely accepted), on the Vaisakha Purnima day at Lumbinivana (Rummindehi District Nepal) in the Sakya Kshatriya clan.
His father Sudhodhana was the republican king of Kapilvastu and his mother Mahamaya was a princess of the Kollia Republic.
After his mother’s early death, he was brought up by his stem mother and aunt Mahaprajapati Gautami.
His father married him at an early age to Yasodhara (Princess of the Shakya dynasty) from whom he had a son Rahul.
Four sights an old man, a diseased person, a dead body and an ascetic proved to be a turning point in his career.
At the age of 29, he renounced home, this was his Mahabhinishkramana (great going forth) and became a wandering ascetic.
His first teacher was Alara Kalama (Sankhyaphilosopher) from whom he learnt the meditation technique.
His next teacher was Udraka Ramputra
At the age of 35, under a pipal tree at Uruvella (Bodh Gaya) on the bank of river Nirajana (modern name Falgu) he attained Nirvana (enlightenment) after 49.
Sects of Buddhism:
Hinyana – Its followers believed in the original teaching of Buddha. They favoured the Pali language.
Mahayana – its Followers believed in the heavenliness of Buddha. They favoured the Sanskrit language.
Vajrayana – Its followers believed that salvation could be best obtained by acquiring the magical power, which they called vajra.
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