The Life of Buddha

[普行]

The Life of Buddha

Published by the Burmese Ministrey of Trade

 
The Life of Buddha
Published by the Burmese Ministrey of Trade
　
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Sumedha (wise man) giving away all his fortunes to become an ascetic in the forest.

SUMEDHA, the wise man inherited a vast fortune from his parents who left them upon their deaths. Realizing the unsatisfactoriness he gave away his fortune and became an ascetic in the forest. He soon gained mastery in meditation and was well-known for his supernormal powers.
　
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Ascetic Sumedha receiving his first Sure Prediction of becoming a future Buddha from the Dipankara Buddha.

When Ascetic Sumedha knew of the coming of Dipankara Buddha to the city of Rammavati, he took part in preparing the road for the Buddha. He was still preparing it when the Buddha arrived but he was determined to complete it by prostrating himself into the muddy hollow, in fulfillment of his vow to become a Buddha. Beside him was a young lady named Sumitta bearing eight stalks of lotus flowers. She gave the Ascetic five stalks and kept for herself three stalks for her aspiration.

When the Buddha Dipankara saw this, He omnisciently declared the Ascetic Sumedha a future Buddha, while He stated that the aspiring young lady Sumitta would be his constant companion and helpmate.
　
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The Devas (Gods) imploring the Bodhisatta, a Santussita-deva in Tusita heaven to be reborn on earth.

The Devas (Gods) imploring the Bodhisatta, a Santussita-deva (whose real name was Sateketu) in Tusita heaven to be reborn on earth to become a Buddha. He accepted their request after viewing the Five Great Considerations (Panca Maha Vilokana): which are: - time, region, locality, clan and mother.
　
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The marvellous birth of infant Siddhatta as Bodhisatta prince who pointing to the North, walked seven steps on lotuses.

At Lumbini Park in Nepal, on Vesakha Full Moon Day, the newly born Prince walked seven steps on the lotus flowers and pointing to the North said, 'AGGOHAM ASMI LOKASSA' meaning 'Chief Am I in this world'. The birth of this baby Prince brought great joy to his royal parents. King Suddhodana and Queen Maha Maya as well as all beings!
　
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The royal marriage of Prince Siddhatta and Princess Yasodhara celebrated with great splendor at the Golden Palace.

The royal marriage of Prince Siddhatta and Princess Yasodhara (whose real name was Badda-Cancara) took place at the Golden Palace, which was presented by his father, King Suddhodana. It was a luxurious palace full of the comforts of life. The celebration lasted many days.
　
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The four Great Signs of the old, the sick, the dead and a serene mendicant monk, made Prince Siddhatta ponder about the unsatisfactoriness in life and renunciation.

During his visit to the royal park, Prince Siddhatta saw the Four Great Signs, namely - an old man, a sick man, a corpse and a serene mendicant. These made the Prince to realise the unsatisfactoriness of life and urged him to ponder deeply about renunciation.
　
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Prince Siddhatta going forth in his renunciation of the wordy life.

Mara (the Evil One), with his host tried without success to prevent Prince Siddhatta from his Great Renunciation at midnight. Prince Siddhata was riding on Kanthaka his favourite stallion and followed by Channa his loyal charioteer.
　
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The Prince Siddhata Great Renunciation in search of Truth and Peace.

Prince Siddhatta cut off his hair to renounce the wordly life at the bank of the Anoma River. Ghatikara Maha Brahma presented the Monk's Eight Requisits to Ascetic Siddhatta, who commanded his charioteer Channa to take his royal chattels back to the palace.
His hair was received by Sakka, King of Gods an enshrined in CULAMANI CETI (pagoda) in his celestial abode in TAVATISMA. Similarly, Ghatikara Maha Brahma bore his princely clothes to his higher celestial abode, Akanittha and enshrined them in the pagoda know as DUSSA CETI.
　
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The Bodhisatta spent six years practising austerities for the realisation of Truth and tha attaintment of Enlightment.

The ascetic Bodhisatta sepent six years practising austerity an meditation with steadfastness as well as earnestness,prior to his attainment Even though he was reduced to a mere skeleton, he did not give up practising.
　
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Mara (Evil One) and his army failed to prevent the Bodhisatta from attaining Enlightment and finally also failed to capture the Golden Throne as well.

The Bodhisatta was sitting on a Golden Throne under a Bodhi tree and being challanged by Mara (the Evil one) riding on the ferocious elephant Girimekhala, Mara with host tried to capture the Golden Throne just before the Bodhisatta's enlightment.
　
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Prince Siddhatta attained Supreme Enlightment and became the Buddha.

On Vesakha Full Moon day, Bodhisatta Siddhatta seated under a Bodhi tree at Gaya, attained Supreme Enlightment. On the first watch of the night he gained knowledge by which He remembered past lives. On the second watch of the night he was able to see into the future including the birth and death of other beings. On the third watch of the night, He destroyed all defilements and became a Fully Enlightened One (Samma-Sambuddha).
　
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Tapussa and Bhallika (two merchant brothers) who offered their provision, received eight strands of hair from the buddha as sacred objects of veneration.

It was the final week (7th week) after his Enlightment, when th two merchant brothers Tapussa and Bhallika from Ukkalapa passed the spot and saw the Buddha. They offered the Buddha their own provision. The Buddha gave eight strands of hair from his head for them to worship as sacred objects of veneration. The hair relics are now enshrined in the Shawedagan Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar.
　
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The Buddha preached His first sermon to the five monks at the Deer Park in Varanasi.

At the Deer Park in Varanasi, the Buddha met the five ascetics, Kondanna, Vappa, Bhaddiya, Mahanama and Assaji all of whom He had know before. He delivered His first sermon to them. It is called the Dhammacakkapavattana Sutta which sets the wheel of the Dhamma in motion. The ascetic Kondanna who was at His childhood Name-giving ceremony became the first to see the light in the Dhamma and attained Sotapanna, the first stage of Sainthood.
Later, all attained Arahantship after hearing the Anatalakhana Sutta (the Discourse which deals with No Self).
　
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The Buddha's exhortation to his first sixty Arahant disciple monks, 'Let not the two of you take the same path to preach the Dhamma for the welfare and happiness of all'!

Thee Buddha exhorted His first sixty Arahant disciple to go forth in different directions to preach the Doctrine, using these famous words:- 'Go ye, O Bikkhus and wander forth for the gain many, for the welfare of the many, in compassion for the world, for the good, for the gain, for the welfare of the Devas (Gods) and men. Proclaim ye, O Bikkhus! The Doctrine glorious, and preach ye a life of holiness, perfect and pure!'
　
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King Bimibiasara offering his kingdom to the Buddha, who refused as He desired not for wordly enjoyment.

When the Bodhisatta visited Rajagaha, the capital of Magadha, King Bimibisara offered his Kingdom to the Bodhisatta. But He did not accept it because of the worldly pleasures. After listening to the preaching of Buddha, the King attained the first stage of Sainthood (Sotapanna). He then dedicated his Royal park known as Veluvana (Bamboo Grove) to the Buddha and His disciples.
　
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The Buddha performing the Twin Miracles in order to subdue the erroneous pride of His royal relatives.

The Buddha Performed the Twin Miracles of emitting fire and water simultaniously from His body, to subdue the pride of his older relatives who had erroeously thought that the Buddha being the younger would have to show respects to them.
　
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Young Prince Rahula prompted by his mother to ask for his inheritance, left behind by the Buddha after his renunciation.

On the seventh day after his arrival in Kapilavatthu, Princes Yasodhara dressed up Prince Rahula and pointing out to the Buddha said, 'Behold,son,the great Ascetic of majestic appearance is your father. Go up to him and ask for your inheritance!'
As advised by his mother, young Rahula came to His presence and asked for his inheritance. Instead, the Buddha told venerable sariputta to ordain Prince Rahula, giving him a spiritual inheritance better than the one he asked for.
　
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The Buddha subsequently visited Rajagaha city where King Bimbisara came to pay homage to the buddha and his disciples.

During a subsequent visit to Rajagaha City, the Buddha went for alms-round in the company of His Chief Disciples and other monks. Along the way King Bimbisara and his royal family paid respects to the Buddha and His disciples.
　
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The Buddha preaching peace at a dispute over water supply of the Rohini River by the two waring factions.

The Buddha delivering a sermon of peace to the two powerful warring armies of kaplivatthu and Koliya at the opposite banks of the Rohini river before the two countries were fighting for the water supply of the river, for pastorl use.
　
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Maha Pajapati Gotami requesting for permission from the Buddha to establish the Order of Nuns (Bhikkhuni Sasana).

Order of Nuns (Bhikkhuni Sasana) was founded in the fifth year of the Buddha's enlightment. After the death of King Suddhodana, Maha Pajapati Gotami, who was His former foster mother desirous of joining the Order, approached the Buddha who was then residing at Kapilavathu and begged permission for women to be admitted into the order. After hearing and turning down their pleas, the Buddha returned to Vesali for the Rains Retreat. Undaunted by the rebuff, Maha Pajapati Gotami cut off her hair and wearing yellow garments went on foot to Vesali, sccompanied by many other Sakyan ladies. They stood outside the porch of the Pinnacled Great Hall in Mahavana where the Buddha was residing. Interceded by Venerable Ananda, the Buddha finally consented to establish the bhikkhuni Sasana when Maha Pajapati Gotami and other Sakyan ladies agreed to observe the Eight Disciplinary Rules for nuns. Henceforth Maha Pajapati Gotami and other Sakyan ladies were admitted into the Order.
Later, the Nuns Khema and Uppalavanna were appointed the two Chief Female Disciples: as were Sariputta and Moggalana the two Chief Male Disciples.
　
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The Buddha questioned a haughty hermit, Saccaka who was duly threatened by a celestial demon to answer according ly, after being defeated.

After losing in lively debate. The haughty hermit Saccaka refused to answer accordingly when the Buddha asked a question. Only when he was threatened to be beaten up by a celestial demon for his arrogance, only then did he finally realise his own folly and listened to the Buddha's preaching meekly. This wholesome action of his would augur well for his future.
　
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The Buddha preaching the Abhidhamma (Higher Doctrine) to His former mother, Now a Deva and others in Tavatimsa Heaven.

On the seventh year after His Enlightenment, the Buddha preached the Abidhamma (Higher Doctrine) in Tavatimsa Heaven. As a fulfillment of gratitude to his former mother now, now a Santussita deva, the Budhha then delivered a sermon on the Higher Doctrine to the thousands of Devas (Gods) an Brahamas (higher celestial beings) who attained the various stages of Noble Sainthood.
　
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A beautiful lady, Cinca Manavika falsely accused the Buddha in the presence of monks and laity, at an august assembly.

The non Buddhist sectarians grudgingly wanted to ruin the Buddha's reputation. They told Cinca Manvika, a beautiful gril to falsely accuse the Buddha for her sham pregnancy in a big and august assembly. King of Devas (Gods) dispatched some Deities disguised as mice to gnaw through the strings holding a block of wood under her garment. Her plot was exposed when the wood fell on her feet. When the people saw that, they threw stones and chased her away. As she was walking away, the earth split open and a flame sprang up to envelop and drag her down to Avici (deepest and worst) Hell.
　
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The Buddha tamed a celestial Ogre, Alavaka, who them took refuge in the Triple Gem of Buddhism.

On the sixteenth year of His Enlightenment, the Buddha tamed the carnivorous Demon King, Alavaka who feasted on human flesh, to give up his habit on devouring at least one human being everyday. After hearing the Buddha's teaching, he henceforth gave up his habit, thus sparing the small child offered to him as food on that day.
　
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The Buddha overcoming a cruel man , Anguliama who cut off the right index finger of passing travellers.

There was a young harmless student at TAKKASILA university called Ahimsa. His jealous fellow students poisoned the mind of their teached against him. As a result the teacher asked Ahimsa for a garland of one thousand right index fingers as tuition fee. Eager to discharge his obligation, he went into the Jalini forest in Kosala and started to waylay the passinjg travellers to collect an index finger from the right hand of each victim. The garland was almost completed except for one more single finger. Ahimsa decided to kill even his own mother for the sake of completing the one thousandth finger in the garland. However, Ahisma was intercepted by the Compassionate Buddha who came to his aid. After listening to his preaching and being convinced , Ahimsa now known as Angulimala (garland of fingers) joined the Sangha and became a Bhikkhu (monk). The Angulimala Sutta, a discourse described to this Thera (elder/monk) and connected to this event, is well-known in Buddhist countries and often used by pregnant ladies in travail for easy and safe delivery.
　
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The Buddha subdued the celestial dragon, Nandopananda; through his disciple Maha Moggalana who also transformed himself into another dragon.

Once the Buddha and HIS Disciple went to Lake Anotatta passing by the mansion of Nandopananda the dragon king who was enjoying himself with his retinue. Angry at apparent trespassing, Nandopananda coiled itself seven times round Mount meru, coverd the summit with it's hood a spewing hot poisonous smoke to prevent the Buddha and his disciples from reaching lake Anotatta. Thereupon Maha Moggalana, (the second Chief Disciple) at once transformed himself into a dragon and likewise coiled round the mountain, crushing Nanopananda. Watched by the Buddha and His disciples, Maha Moggalana too began spewing hot poisonous smoke which greatly distressed Nandopananda who soon lost the challenge and upon realisation of his folly, sought refuge in the Triple Gem of Buddhism.
　
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The Buddha expounding a doctrine to Baka Brahma in the higher heaven, to give him and his friends, the Light of Wisdom.

Baka Brahma, who was bitten by the snake of tenacious heresay (in believing that the Brahma Loka is the best and everlasting world in existence), was duly defeated by the buddha in a mutual contest to show power. On hearing the Buddha's profound expounding of the Dhamma (Buddhist Doctrine), he became enlightened along with many other Brahamas (higher celestial beings).
　
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The Buddha subduing the fierce, drunkened elephant, Nalagiri; released by the wicked Devadatta.

When the Buddha was on his way to the city of Rajagaha. Devadatta ordered the release of the fierce elephat, Nalagiri, to harm Him. As charged towards the Buddha, everyone ran away leaving a mother and her baby on the ground. The buddha radiated His infinite Compassion to calm and subdues the elephant before it could trample the helpless baby.
　
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The Buddha taking care of a sick monk as a fraternal duty and model example for His monks to emulate.

The Buddha taking care of a sick monk, named Tissa who had been neglected by his unthoughtful fellow monks. By doing this, the Buddha wanted to foster mutual care and welfare amongst the Bhikkhus as well as others.
　
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Mahaparinibbana - The Buddha's final passing away for the attainment of the Ultimate Deliverance; and Dona, the Brahaman distributing the Buddha's relics thereafter.

(a) The Buddha at Kusinara laid himself between two Sal tree with his head to the north, determined not to rise again. He then delivered his last admonition. 'Behold, O Disciples! I exhort you! Subject to change are all component things! Strive on with Diligence!' before He entered Maha parinibbana (attainment of Final Emancipation).
(b) Dona, the brahaman divided the Buddha's relics into eight equal portions and distributed each of them to the Rulers of the eight countries Then Dona decided that the golden container be kept to himself as an object of respectful veneration.
　
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[한병진]

다섯번째 칸에 석가모니 부처님이 옆구리에서 튀어 나와 일곱걸음을 걷고 나는 이세상의 주인(우두머리?)이라고 외쳤다는데 ... 그럼 굳이 출가를 할 이유가 있었을까요?? 굳이 수행을 할 이유가 있었을까요?? 그런데 이것이 사실일까요??

[普行]

부처님의 탄생은 브라만은 정수리, 제2 계급인 왕족은 인도인 전통 믿음에 따라 우협( 오른쪽 옆구리) 탄생은 자연 스러운 것이며부처님의 왕족이었음을 나타내고, 일곱 걸음 천상천하 유아 독존이라 이라 한것은 다분히 전설이 아닐까요, 구전 문화를 이룩하던 고대 인도 후에 우상 부분이 아닐까 하는데요

[한병진]

그렇군요... 그런데 왜 사실이 아닌것으로 우상화 하여 불교를 우스꽝스럽게 만드는지...이해할수가 없습니다. 천상천하 유아독존 삼세 개고 오당안지라고 하셨다고 하던데 왜 삼세개고 오당안지는 없는지요??

[한병진]

원래 없는 건지 있는 건지도 알 지 못합니다. 이 말이 어디에 있는지도 알지 못합니다. 금강경에 있는지 천수경에 있는지....