Life of the Buddha-미얀마 벽화

[천장암]

Life of the Buddha

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During Phra Mick’s visit in Penang… Kean Beng Tan helped him obtain this beautiful ‘Life of the Buddha’ pictorial book from Dhammikarama Burmese temple.  The Abbot was extremely kind to me and this book was donated by the monastery’s gift shop.

Sadhu!  Sadhu!  Sadhu!

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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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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 repairing 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 own 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 Santussita Deva (whose real name was Setaketu) 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 appropriate time, Island-continent, country, clan and life-span of mother.

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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 marriage of Prince Siddhattha and Princess Yasodhara (whose real name was BaddaCancana ) took place at the Golden Palace which was presented by his father, King Suddhodana. It was a luxurious palace full of comforts of life . The celebration lasted many days.

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During his visit to the Royal park, Prince Siddhattha saw the Four Great Signs, namely — an old man, a sick man, a corpse and a serene mendicant. These made the Prince to realize the unsatisfactoriness of life and urged him to ponder deeply about renunciation.

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Mara (the Evil One), with his host tried without success to prevent Prince Siddhattha from his Great Renunciation at midnight . Prince Siddhattha was riding on Kanthaka his fovourite stallion and followed by Channa his loyal charioteer. Mara said that if the prince did not proceed on his renunciation, he would become a Universal Monarch on the seventh day.

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Prince Siddhattha cut off his hair to renounce the worldly life at the bank of the Anoma River. Ghatikara Maha Brahma presented the Monk’s Eight Requisites to Ascetic Siddhattha, who commanded his charioteer Channa to take his royal chattels back to the palace.
His hair was received by Sakka, King of Gods and enshirned in CULAMANI CETI (pagoda) in his celestial abode in TAVATIMSA. Similarly, Ghatikara Maha Brahma bore his princely clothes to his higher celestial abode, Akanittha and enshrined them in the pagoda known as DUSSA CETI.

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The ascetic Bodhisatta spent six years practising austerity and 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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The Bodhisatta was sitting on a Golden Throne under a Bodhi tree and being challenged by Mara (the Evil One) riding on the ferocious elephant Girimekhala. Mara with host tried to capture the Golen Throne just before the Bodhistta’s Enlightenment.

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On Vesakha Full Moon day, Bodhisatta Siddhattha seated under a Bodhi tree at Gaya, attained Supreme Enlightement. 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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It was in the final week (7th week) after his Enlightenment, when the two merchant brothers Tapussa and Bhallika from Ukkalapa passed by the spot and saw the Buddha. They offered the Buddha their own provision; then the Buddha gave eight strands of hairs from His head for them to worship as sacred objects of veneration.The hair relics are now enshrined in the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar.

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At the Deer Park at Varanasi, the Buddha met the five ascetics, Kondanna, Vappa, Bhaddiya, Mahanama and Assaji all of whom He had known 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 light in the Dhamma and attained Sotapanna, the first stage of Sainhood.
Later, all attained Arahantship after hearing the Anatalakkhana Sutta (the Discourse which deals with No-Self)

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The Buddha exhorted His first sixty Arahant disciples to go forth in different directions to preach the Doctrine, using these famous words: – “Go ye, 0 bhikkhus and wander forth for the gain of 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, 0 Bhikkhus! The Doctrine that is glorious and preach ye a life of holiness, perfect and pure!”

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When the Bodhisatta visited Rajagaha, the capital of Magadha, King Bimbisara 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 performed the Twin Miracles of emitting fire and water simultaneously from His body, to subdue the pride of his older relatives who had erroneously thought that the Buddha being the younger would have to show respects to them.

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On the seventh day after his arrival in Kapilavatthu, Princess Yasodhara dressed up Prince Rahula and pointing 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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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 repects to the Buddha and His disciples.

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The Buddha delivering a sermon of peace to two powerful warning armies of Kapilavatthu and Koliya at the opposite banks of the Rohini river before the two countries started fighting for the water supply of the river, for pastoral use.

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The Order of Nuns (Bhikkhuni Sasana) was founded in the fifth year of the Buddha’s Enlightenment. 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, 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, accompanied by many other Sakyan ladies. They stood outside the porch of the Pinnacled Great Hall in Mahayana 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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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 arrogance, only then did he finally realize 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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On the seventh year after His Enlightenment, the Buddha preached the Abhidhamma (higher Doctrine) in Tavatimsa Heaven. As a fulfillment of gratitude to his former mother, now a Santussita deva, the Buddha then delivered a sermon on the Higher Doctrine to thousands of Devas (Gods) and Brahmas (higher celestial beings) who attained the various stages of Noble Sainthood.

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The non Buddhist sectarians grudgingly wanted to ruin the Buddha’s reputation. They told Cinca Manvika , a beautiful girl to falsely accuse the Buddha for her shamed, 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 spilt open and a flame sprang up to envelop and drag her down to Avici (deepest and worst) Hell.

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On the sixteenth year of His Enlightment, 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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There was a young harmless student at TAKKASILA University called Ahimsa. His jealous fellow students poisoned the mind of their teacher 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 passing 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, Ahimsa 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 ascribed 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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Once the Buddha and His Disciples went to Lake Anotatta passing by the mansion of Nandopananda the dragon king who was enjoying himself with his retinue. Angry at the apparent trespassing, Nandopananda coiled itself seven times round Mount Meru, covered the summit with its hood and 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 Nandopananda. 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 realization of his folly, sought refuge in the Triple Gem of Buddhism.

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The Buddha taking care of a sick monk, named Tissa who had been neglected by his unthoughtful fellow monks. By so doing, the Buddha wanted to foster mutual care and welfare amongst the Bhikkhus as well as others.

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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 Brahmas (higher celestial beings).

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When the Buddha was on his way to the city of Rajagaha, Devadatta ordered the release of the fierce elephant, Nalagiri, to harm Him. As the elephant 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 subdued the elephant before it could trample the helpless baby.

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1.  The Buddha at Kusinara laid himself between two Sal trees with his head to the North, determined not to rise again. He them delivered his last admonition, “Behold, 0 Disciples! I exhort you ! Subject to change are all component things! Strive on with Diligence !” before He entered Maha parinibbana (attainment of Final Emancipation).
2.  Dona , the Brahman 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 for himself as an object of respectful veneration.

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http://phramick.wordpress.com/2009/07/24/life-of-the-buddha/

그림으로 보는 부처님 생애

탄 생

카필라바스투를 떠나 친정인 데바다라로 향하던

마하 마야부인이 갑자기 닥친 산기를 느끼고

룸비니 동산 사라수 곁에 자리를 편 때는

꽃피는 계절이었다.

샤카족의 왕자 싯달타 고타마의 탄생이었다.

(탄생일: 한국 음력 4월 8일,

남방권 기원전 624년 4/5월 15일)

출 가

16세에 결혼하여 부인 야소다라와의 사이에

아들 라훌라까지 두게 된 싯달타의 길은 다른 것이었다.

부친이 이곳에 마련한 거짓의 세계에서 연회를 벌이다

골아 떨어진 어느 날 밤에 문득 깨어난 싯달타는

조금 전까지도 꽃 같은 아름다움을 가장하던 미희들이

여기저기에 스러져 흉하게 자고 있는 꼴을 목격하며

주체할 수 없는 혐오감에 사로잡히게 되었는데,

이것이 계기가 되어 얼마 전 성문을 나설 때마다

각각 목격하게 되었던

늙고 병들고 죽는 숨김없는 (번민스런)삶의 모습과

길을 떠나는 수행자를 목격하며 받았던

신선한 충격을 강하게 되살리게 되어,

그 길로 세상을 버리고 구도자의 길을 떠나게 된 것이다.

(당시 29세) (출가일: 한국 음력 2월 8일, 남방권 6/7월 15일)

위대한 깨달음

6년간의 고행 끝에 고행을 중단하고,

다시 보리수 아래에 자리잡고 번뇌에 벗어나

거짓의 세계에서 자유로워지기 전에는

결코 자리에서 일어서지 않겠다는 결심한

구도자 싯달타는

금성이 반짝이는 새벽녘에

마침내 '위 없는 깨달음'을 증득하여

무상정각을 이룬 자, 부처님이 되었다. 　

(성도일: 한국 음력 12월 8일, 남방권 12월 15일) 

초천법륜

위 없는 깨달음'을 증득한 부처님이

보드가야에 도착하기 직전까지 같이 고행하며 수행하였던

다섯 도반들인 콘단나, 밧디야, 밥파, 마하나마, 앗사지에게

베나레스 교외의 녹야원에서 고락의 양 극단을 떠난

중도(中道)에 관하여 처음으로 설하셨다.

"벗들이여, 나는 방종과 고행, 이 두 극단을 버림으로써

성스러운 팔정도를 발견했다.

삶은 괴로움이다. 괴로움은 무엇인가?

생로병사가 괴로움이요, 슬픔과 비탄과 실망이 괴로움이다.

이 괴로움에는 원인이 있다. 괴로움의 원인은 갈애다.

곧 쾌락과 관능적 욕구에 따라 기쁨을 찾아

여기저기 기웃거리게 하는 애욕에 대한 갈망,

존재에 대한 갈망, 절멸을 향한 갈망이다.

나는 이 세계에 관한 두 극단적인 견해를 피하여

제대로 세계를 조망할 수 있는 중도를 발견했다.

나는 그것을 일러 '의존적 발생'이라고 부른다.

의존적 발생: 緣起生 Paticcasamuppanna)

이 의존적 발생의 원리야말로 곧 세계의 본질이다."

라훌라와 야소다라와의 만남

7년 동안의 우울과 어둠....

그녀는 엎드려 두 손으로 붓다의 발을 붙들고 흐느꼈다.

붓다가 옛 아내에게 말했다.

"야소다라, 당신은 나로 하여금 출가할 수 있도록 했던

용기와 정신력을 가지고 있습니다.

그런 용기와 정신력으로

이제 당신은 과거에 마음 아파하거나

오지 않은 미래의 환상에서 벗어나,

당신의 새로운 삶을 만들어 갈 수 있어야 합니다."

붓다는 이 짧은 말을 남기고 자리에서 일어났다.

석가족의 멸문

카필라를 노려 오던 코살라가 마침내 쳐들어오고 있었다.

부처님은 이 소식을 듣고 뙤약볕이 내리 쪼이는

한길가 고목나무 아래 앉아 계셨다.

군사를 이끌고 그 앞을 지나가려던

코살라의 젊은 왕 비루다카는

얼른 말에서 내려 부처님께 절한 다음 물었다.

"부처님, 우거진 나무도 많은데

왜 하필이면 잎이 하나도 없는 나무 아래 앉아 계십니까?"

부처님은 대답하셨다.

"친족이 없는 것은 여기 그늘이 없는 나무와 같은 법이오."

이 한마디를 들은 젊은 왕은 부처님의 뜻을 알아차리고

군대를 돌려 코살라로 돌아갔다.

비루다카는 얼마 후 다시 진군을 시작했다.

이번에도 그늘이 없는 나무 아래 앉아 계시는

부처님의 모습을 보고 왕은 다시 되돌아섰다.

세번째 진군이 카필라를 향했을 때

부처님의 모습은 보이지 않았다.

지난 세상에 진 빚은 어쩔 수 없이 받게

되는 것이라고 아셨기 때문이다.

비루다카 왕은 서슴지 않고 카필라를 공격했다.

라자가하의 빔비사라 왕을 방문

"스승이시여, 이상적인 통치자는 무엇인지 설해 주십시오." 　

"어떤 경우에도 무력의 사용에는 정당성이 없습니다.

나는 선도될 수 없는 인간이 있다고는 믿을 수 없습니다.

인간은 탐욕과 증오, 미혹에 의해 악하게 됩니다.

이 세가지 악의 근원은 뿌리째 제거될 수 있습니다.

나는 그러한 경지를 획득했고,

나와 함께 이 자리에 있는

대부분의 내 제자들 또한 그렇습니다.

만일 어떤 사람에게서 이들 악의 근원이 제거될 수 있다면,

어떻게 다른 사람들에게서는

불가능하다고 단정할 수 있습니까?

따라서 이상적인 통치자란

세계의 본성을 의존적 발생이라고 이해하고,

선의 증장을 도모하며, 피지배자인 백성은 물론

자신 속의 악업을 제거하도록

노력하는 자라고 할 수 있습니다."

데바닷타의 음모

데바닷타는 두 번이나 음모에 실패했으면서도

뜻을 돌리려 하지 않았다.

라자가하의 거리를 지나가는 부처님을 향해

아주 성질이 사나운 코끼리를 풀어 놓았다.

멀리서 그 광경을 바라보던 사람들은

부처님의 신변을 매우 걱정했다.

그러나 부처님을 향해 달려가던 코끼리는

부처님 앞에 이르더니 갑자기 그 자리에 멈추었다.

그리고는 코를 아래로 드리운 다음 끓어 앉았다.

데바닷타의 음모는 세 번 다 실패로 돌아갔다.

어떠한 폭력도 여래의 법 앞에서는 무력했다.

그러나 데바닷타의 사건은

부처님의 일생에서 가장 큰 아픔이었다.

데바닷타로 인해 교단이 분열된 일까지도 일어났다.

교단을 분열시킨 데바닷타가

부처님의 가까운 친척이었다는 것이

부처님의 마음을 아프게 했다.

앙굴리말라의 귀의

앙굴리말라라는 젊은이가

사람의 손가락(anguli)으로 만든 목걸이(mala)를 걸치고

피투성이가 된 손으로 출몰한다는 곳으로 향하여

"앙굴리말라,

나는 이미 오래 전에 생명을 해치는 것을 멈췄다.

또한 윤회 속을 배회하며 달리는 것을 멈추었다.

그러나 그대는 무고한 생명들에게 가한 그 폭력에 의해,

마치 키도 닻도 없이 급류에 휘말린 조각배처럼

끝없이 흘러가게 될 것이다."

"거룩하신 이여, 제게 자비를 베푸시어

미래의 고통으로부터 저를 구해주십시오.

저로 하여금 세존께 귀의하게 해주십시오." 　

"오라, 비구여." 붓다가 말했다. 　

청정한 승단을 위한 일곱가지 방법

붓다는 아난다에게 현재 라자가하에 있는

모든 비구와 비구니들을 독수리봉으로 소집하도록 했다.

이레 후에 그들이 모두 모이자 2천명이 넘었다. 　

"비구, 비구니들이여,

붓다는 가르침과 상가가 쇠퇴하는 일이 없도록 지켜나가는

일곱가지 방법에 대해 말하겠다.

잘 듣고 행하라. 　

                                                                         1. 자주 모임을 갖고 법을 연구하고 토론하고

                                                                         2. 협력의 정신에 따라 항상 모이고 흩어진다.

                                                                         3. 이미 실시되고 있는 계율을 존중하고

                                                                         4. 덕망과 경험이 풍부한 지도자들의 인도에 따른다.

                                                                         5. 욕망과 탐욕에 흔들림이 없이 순결하고 검소한 생활을 한다.

                                                                         6. 조용하고 평화로운 생활을 소중히 지켜나간다.

                                                                         7. 평화, 기쁨 그리고 자유를 누릴 수 있도록

                                                                             마음이 하나로 집중된 상태에 머물러 있어야 한다.

비구, 비구니들이여,

백수의 왕인 사자가 숲속에서 죽으면

어떠한 동물도 감히 그의 살을 뜯어먹지 못하는 법이다.

사자의 몸 속에 있는 벌레들만이

안에서부터 파먹기 시작하는 법이다.

사자의 시체를 속에서부터 파먹는

벌레처럼 되지 않도록 하라.

대열반

쿠쉬나가르에 도착하여 사라수들이 있는 숲에 자리를 펴고

이 세상에서의 마지막을 준비하시게 되니,

보드가야에서 '위 없는 깨달음'을 증득하신지

45년이 지난 80세 때의 일이었다.

부처님께서 작별을 서러워하거나 감당하기

어려워하는 이들에게 남기신 말씀은,

평생에 걸쳐 말씀하셨던 제행무상(諸行無常)을

다시 한 번 지적한 것이었다.

"너희들은 내가 항상 하던 말을 잊었느냐?

가까운 사람과는 언젠가는 이별해야 하는 법이다.

세상에서 무상하지 않은 것은 없다.

모든 것은 세월을 따라 변해간다.

너희들은 언제든지 너희들 자신에게 의지하여라.

남에게 의지해서는 안 된다.

그리고 법에 의지하고 다른 것에 의지 하지 말아라.

조건 지어진 것은 그것이 어떠한 것이라 할지라도

썩어 부패할 수밖에 없는 것임을 잊지 말고,

부지런히 정진하여 벗어나도록 하라. '

(열반일: 한국, 남방권 음력 2월 15일)

[혜관]

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감사합니다 !