Copyright of BMSM
InIndia, the social fabrics was heavily
covered with priestcraft, self-mortification,
caste distinction," corrupt feudalism,
subjection of womenandfearof
Brahmanical_dominance. Itwasatsuch 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-
includingtrainingin the use of arms. At
sixteen, he was marriedtoabeautiful 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 itbe."
"Great prince," the charioteer replied,
"this comes to allmen."
"Even myfather?"
" Yes.prince. There is no
exception." "Even Yasodhara and me?"
Channa was silent but hiseyes told the
unspokentruth.
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 and die.
Then he saw the fourth sight:·a recluse with
shaven head and dressed in a tatt ered
yellow robe. Inspired by the recluse, the
prince then resolved to find the solution -
the way out of this universal suffering.
The Great Renunciation
He returned to the palace, pondering deeply.
The flame of compassion awoke within him -.
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 into renunciation.
One night when sleep laid its tender fingers
on all in the palace, the resolute prince stole
away. Tenderly he bade a silent farewell to
his sleeping wife and baby.
In the silence of the Indian night, he slipped
from the palace and went forth with his
charioteer and his stallion. He exchanged his
princely robes for those of an ascetic, sent
home Channa and the horse with his
belongings, and wandered forth in the
homeless life, all alone.
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 perfumed chamber and
all its pleasures inexchange for these.
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
grow old, become sick and die and there
seemed to be no escape from suffering.
The purpose of his search was clear - to fi nd ·
the cause and end of suffering "in life.
It was 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 who else
could find it?
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