In India, the social fabrics was heavily

covered with priestcraft, self-

mortification, caste distinction," corrupt

feudalism, subjection of women and fear

of Brahmanical _dominance. It was at such

a time that the Buddha, the most fragrant

flower of the human race appeared.

Birth

The Buddha, whose name was

Siddhattha Gotama, was born in 6th

century B.C. in Lunibini Park at

Kapilavathu on the Indian borders of

present. day Nepal. His father,

Suddhodana, was the ruler. of the

kingdom of the Sakyas at the foothills of the

great Himalayans. His · mother was queen

Maha Maya.

Being born a prince, he received the

education befitting a young nobleman -

including training in the use of arms. At

sixteen, he was married to a beautiful and

devoted young princess named

Yasodhara, and by her had a son, Rahula.

The young prince lived in his palace with

every luxury at his command. But from

earliest childhood he had been

contemplative and was never satisfied

with sensuous delights.

In spite of his father's efforts to keep all

knowledge of worldly woes for many

years from his eyes, the young prince saw

the Four Sights - an old man, a sick man, a

dead man, and a recluse.

At the sight of the old man, the sick man

and the dead man, he asked his

charioteer, "Channa, what · is it! What is ·

this man? If indeed man it be ."

"Great prince," the charioteer replied,

"this comes to all men."

"Even my father?"

" Yes. prince. There is no

exception." "Even Yasodhara and me?"

Channa was silent but his eyes told the

unspoken truth.

Shocked with the realities of life, the prince

realized that such was the effect of the

common cause -birth. And one who was born

will one day grow old, become sick anddie.

Then he saw the fourth sight:·arecluse with

shaven head and dressed in a tattered

yellow robe. Inspired by the recluse, the

prince then resolved tofind the solution -

the way out of this universalsuffering.

The Great Renunciation

He returned tothe palace, ponderingdeeply.

The flame of compassion awoke withinhim-.

He felt intensely the positive call to save not

only himself but all mankind from birth in the

world of suffering. His great compassion for

us coaxed him intorenunciation.

One night when sleep laid its tenderfingers

on all in the palace, the resolute prince stole

away. Tenderly he bade a silent farewell to

his sleeping wife andbaby.

In the silence of the Indian night, heslipped

from the palace and went forth with his

charioteer and his stallion. He exchanged his

princelyrobesfor those of an ascetic, sent

home Channa and the horse with his

belongings, and wandered forth in the

homeless life, allalone.

Into the unknown he went. A tree, a cave or

an abandoned hut was his home for the

night. His food? Whatever kind people

would offer him. He left his palace of

marbled floor and perfumedchamberand

allitspleasuresinexchange forthese.

He had no assurance that he will find Truth

and Peace. But he was moved by grief that

was not his grief alone. He saw other men

growold, become sick and die and there

seemedtobe no escape fromsuffering.

The purpose of his search was clear-to find·

the cause and end of suffering"in life.

Itwas as if he was shut in a burning house

and wanted to get out of it. The doubts

consumed his very life. And if he did not go.

to seek for truth-what was left,and whoelse

could find it?

Copyright of BMSM^3