The Life of Buddha and the

Teachings of Buddhism
Introduction to Buddhism
and Its Founder
Buddhism is one of the world's
most profound and influential
spiritual traditions. It was
founded by Siddhartha
Gautama, who is widely known
as the Buddha, in the 5th to 4th
century BCE in ancient India.
This religion emphasizes the
path to enlightenment through
ethical conduct, mental
discipline, and wisdom. The
Buddha’s teachings have
profoundly shaped the cultural
and spiritual landscape of Asia
and have found relevance
worldwide in modern times.
Early Life of Siddhartha
Gautama
Siddhartha Gautama was born
around 563 BCE in Lumbini,
which is now in modern-day
Nepal. He belonged to the
Shakya clan, a small but
influential kingdom in the
region. His father, King
Suddhodana, ruled the Shakya
tribe, and his mother, Queen
Maya, passed away shortly
after his birth. Legend has it
that Siddhartha’s birth was
marked by extraordinary
events. It is said that he took
seven steps immediately after
being born, and a lotus flower
bloomed under each footstep.
Astrologers predicted that he
would either become a great
king or a spiritual leader who
would renounce worldly life.
King Suddhodana, wanting his
son to follow the path of
royalty, shielded Siddhartha
from the harsh realities of life.
Siddhartha grew up in luxury,
surrounded by comfort, wealth,
and opulence. He was married
at a young age to Princess
Yasodhara, and they had a son
named Rahula. Despite his
privileged life, Siddhartha felt a
deep sense of restlessness and
dissatisfaction.
The Four Sights
At the age of 29, Siddhartha
ventured outside the palace
walls and encountered what
became known as the "Four
Sights" — an old man, a sick
person, a dead body, and a
wandering ascetic. These sights
profoundly impacted him,
making him realize the
inevitability of suffering in life
and the transient nature of
worldly pleasures. This
awakening led Siddhartha to
abandon his royal life and
embark on a spiritual quest to
find the truth about existence
and liberation from suffering.
The Path to Enlightenment
Siddhartha renounced his
princely life and became an
ascetic. He spent six years
seeking enlightenment by
practicing extreme austerities
and meditative techniques
under various teachers. Despite
his efforts, he did not find the
answers he sought. He
eventually realized that neither
indulgence nor extreme
asceticism would lead to
liberation and adopted what he
called the "Middle Way" — a
balanced approach to spiritual
practice.
One night, Siddhartha sat
under a Bodhi tree (the Tree of
Enlightenment) in Bodh Gaya
and resolved not to rise until he
attained enlightenment. After
meditating deeply and
overcoming the temptations
and distractions sent by Mara,
the god of desire, he achieved
enlightenment. At that
moment, he became the
Buddha, or "The Awakened
One." He discovered the Four
Noble Truths and the Eightfold
Path, the core teachings of
Buddhism.
The Teachings of Buddhism
The Buddha’s teachings,
collectively known as the
Dharma, provide a
comprehensive guide to
understanding the nature of
existence, the causes of
suffering, and the path to
liberation.
1. The Four Noble Truths:
o Dukkha: Life is
characterized by suffering,
dissatisfaction, and
impermanence.
o Samudaya: Suffering is
caused by craving,
 attachment, and
ignorance.
o Nirodha: Suffering can be
overcome by letting go of
craving and attachment.
o Magga: There is a path to
the cessation of suffering,
known as the Eightfold
Path.
2. The Eightfold Path: The
Eightfold Path is a practical
guideline for ethical and
mental development, leading
to liberation. It is divided into
three categories:
o Wisdom (Prajna):
  Right View:
Understanding the
nature of reality and the
Four Noble Truths.
 Right Intention:
Cultivating wholesome
intentions of
renunciation, goodwill,
and harmlessness.
o Ethical Conduct (Sila):
 Right Speech: Avoiding
lies, harmful words, and
idle gossip.
 Right Action: Acting
ethically and refraining
from harming others.
  Right Livelihood:
Pursuing an honest and
ethical occupation.
o Mental Discipline
(Samadhi):
 Right Effort: Cultivating
positive states of mind
and abandoning
harmful ones.
 Right Mindfulness:
Developing awareness
of body, feelings,
thoughts, and
phenomena.
 Right Concentration:
Practicing meditation to
 achieve mental focus
and tranquility.
3. The Three Marks of
Existence: Buddhism
teaches that all phenomena
share three characteristics:
o Impermanence
(Anicca): Everything is
subject to change.
o Suffering (Dukkha): Life
involves suffering due to
craving and attachment.
o Non-Self (Anatta): There
is no permanent or
independent self.
4. The Five Precepts:
Buddhists follow ethical
 guidelines to cultivate moral
conduct:
o Refrain from killing or
harming living beings.
o Refrain from stealing.
o Refrain from sexual
misconduct.
o Refrain from false speech.
o Refrain from intoxicants
that cloud the mind.
The Spread of Buddhism
After attaining enlightenment,
the Buddha dedicated his life to
teaching. He gathered a
community of followers, known
as the Sangha, and shared his
insights with people from all
walks of life. His first sermon at
Sarnath, called the
"Dhammacakkappavattana
Sutta" or "Setting the Wheel of
Dharma in Motion," marked the
beginning of his public ministry.
Buddhism spread across the
Indian subcontinent during the
Buddha’s lifetime. After his
death, or Parinirvana, at the
age of 80 in Kushinagar, his
teachings continued to inspire
countless disciples. Over the
centuries, Buddhism expanded
to other parts of Asia, including
Sri Lanka, China, Japan, Korea,
Tibet, and Southeast Asia.
Major Schools of Buddhism
Buddhism has evolved into
several traditions, each
emphasizing different aspects
of the Buddha's teachings. The
three major schools are:
1. Theravāda ("The
Teaching of the Elders"):
o The oldest surviving
Buddhist tradition.
o Emphasizes monastic life,
meditation, and
adherence to the Pali
Canon.
o Predominant in Sri Lanka,
Thailand, Myanmar, and
Laos.
2. Mahayana ("The Great
Vehicle"):
o Focuses on the ideal of the
Bodhisattva, one who
seeks enlightenment for
the benefit of all beings.
o Emphasizes compassion
and the possibility of
universal salvation.
o Flourished in China, Korea,
and Japan.
3. Vajrayana ("The Diamond
Vehicle"):
o Incorporates esoteric
practices, rituals, and
meditation techniques.
 o Strongly associated with
Tibetan Buddhism and
also practiced in Mongolia
and Bhutan.
Buddhism in the Modern
World
In the 20th and 21st centuries,
Buddhism has gained
significant popularity in the
West. Its teachings on
mindfulness, meditation, and
compassion have resonated
with people seeking inner
peace and spiritual growth.
Prominent figures such as the
Dalai Lama and Thich Nhat
Hanh have played a crucial role
in spreading Buddhist
philosophy globally.
Buddhism’s non-dogmatic
nature and emphasis on
personal experience make it
adaptable to different cultural
contexts. Today, it is not only a
religion but also a philosophy
and way of life that continues
to inspire millions.
Conclusion
The life of the Buddha and the
teachings of Buddhism offer
timeless wisdom for
understanding human
existence and finding freedom
from suffering. The Buddha’s
journey from privilege to
enlightenment illustrates the
transformative power of self-
discovery, compassion, and
mindfulness. By following the
path outlined in the Dharma,
individuals can cultivate inner
peace and contribute to a more
harmonious world. Whether
viewed as a religion,
philosophy, or practical guide
to life, Buddhism remains a
profound source of inspiration
for those seeking truth and
liberation.

Sanja
7B