life and teachings of Gautama Buddha for B. A. I

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Question: Describe the life and teachings of Gautama Buddha.

Possibility: V. Imp for April 2005

Main Feature:

The total number of words is less than 1000.

It means, that it can be written in thirty-five to forty minutes and will cover five to six pages.

Point Form and shortest but effective explanation:

Thus the Answer follows:

Buddha was the greatest person of his period. He showed the light to the humanity pained by the worldly affairs. There was magic in his voice and his preaching attracted numerous people. Buddhism spread to various other countries of the world just after the death of Buddha. His life was also a great example for humanity just like his teachings. A brief description of his life and teachings is as follows:

Birth of Gautama Buddha: Buddha propounded Buddhism. He was born in 623 BC in Kapilvastu. He belonged to suryavanshi kshatriya family and Gautam was his gotra. That is why Buddha is also called Gautama. Buddha was called Siddharta in his childhood. Shuddhodhan was the name of his father. Maya was his mother. Buddha was born at Lumbini Vana. The mother of Buddha died soon after his death. It is a traditional story that a person Asit had forecasted that Buddha would become a world-famous king in history. He further clarified and warned that if Buddha would watch a sick man, an old man, dead body, and a mendicant, he would give away the worldly life and propound a world-famous religion.

{ 623 BC in Kapilvastu, suryavanshi, Siddharta, Shuddhodhan-his father, Maya-his mother, born at Lumbini Vana, Asit had forecasted- world-famous king in history, a sick man, an old man, dead body, and a mendicant – forecast of four scenes} A summary of the following explanation. It has to be omitted while writing an answer. However, you can use it intelligently to impress the paper checker.

Childhood and Marriage: Gautami, the foster mother of Buddha looked after Buddha in his childhood. His father raised a magnificent palace in view of the forecast on his future. Every arrangement was made for Buddha in the palace. The king instructed the attendant to make sure that no old man, a sick man, a dead body or a mendicant should near his palace. However, Gautama was not happy within the four walls of the palace and he became said. The king also married Gautama to Yashodra. Even the marriage did not change the mood of Gautama.

Remember it: A Hint for two marks question. Omit it in writing the answer: { Gautami, the foster mother, married Gautama to Yashodra}

Leaving of the home:

Gautama happened to watch the scene of illness, old age, the life of a recluse and death. This vision disturbed his mind. He started pondering over the causes of such miseries. It is a traditional account that once a big feast took place in the palace of Gautama where even the drinks were served. After the end of the party, Gautama remained awake late at night. Gautama started remembering the happenings of the party. He developed an aversion for a luxurious life. He became so dejected that he decided to give away the worldly life. He went to the room of his wife. He just looked at his sleeping wife and son Rahul and left for the forest forever.

It is said that he studied Upanishads and tried to get the true knowledge from the Brahmins but he was not satisfied. He then tried to do strong meditation for six years but did not achieve anything. Ultimately, he sat in a deep meditation near a Pipal tree near Gaya. After 40 days he was enlightened and called Buddha.

Preaching:

After getting enlightenment, Buddha started spreading the message of true knowledge. He gave his first sermon at Sarnath near Benaras. Five people became his followers at Sarnath. After the number of his disciple increased day after day. Buddha also established a church of his followers who were called Bhikshus. They preached for the next 45 years in different regions.

Death:

Mahatama died at Kushinagar (Dist Gorakhpur) at the age of 80.

Teachings:

The teachings of Buddha are as follows:
1. Four main Truths: (1) The world is a house of miseries.
(2) Desire is the cause of miseries.
(3) By ending the desires, the miseries can be ended and the man can get Nirvana.
(4) The man should adopt the middle path to achieve Nirvana.

2. Eight-Fold Path: The eightfold path is needed to end the desire. The eightfold path is based on the following eight instructions: i. Right knowledge ii. Right resolve iii. Right work. iv. Right memory. v. right speech. vi. right livelihood. vii. right thought viii. right meditation. 
The eight-fold path of Buddha is also called the Middle Path.

3. The Karma Principle: Buddha opined that the man gets as per his Karma. The man could not change the effects of his karma by doing yajna and pujas.

4. Opinion on Vedas: Buddha denied the spirituality of the Vedas. He also did not believe in the Vedic gods. He gave importance to the reasoning than the Vedas in order to achieve true knowledge.

5. Non Violence: There is great stress on non-Violence in Buddhism. According to Buddha, it is a great sin to kill a living being or to torment a living being.

6. Views on Soul: Buddha believed that Atma was not permanent. He believed that when the carnal body dies, the soul also dies.

7. View on the worship of God: Buddha did not believe in the worship of god and goddesses. He is mum on the existence of the supreme god. However, he believed that there exists a supreme power, which directs the worldly existence.

8. Views on Yajna and human sacrifice: Buddha considered Yajna and Human sacrifice as wrong and useless practices. He did not accept the view of Hindu religion that the yajna and human sacrifices were the path of moksha. He stated that it was superstitious practices.

9. View on Caste System: Buddha was against the discrimination based on the caste system. He believed that all men were equal.

10. Stress on True Knowledge: Buddha stressed on the need for true knowledge, which was the only guaranty for the Nirvana. Hence he gave importance to knowledge in the life of man. The man remained in darkness due to ignorance.

11. Right Conduct: There is great stress on right conduct in Buddhism. Buddha gave the message of living a pure life and asked them to remain away from stealing, telling a lie and violence.

12. Believed in rebirth: Buddha believed in rebirth. He said a man took birth again and again. The reason for rebirth is the ego and desire. When the ego and desire are destroyed, the man gets Nirvana.

13. Nirvana: Buddha said the main aim of human life is to achieve Nirvana.

14. Opposed Extreme penance: Buddha did not support the strong penance. He believed that one could not get salvation by physical pains.

Many people became followers of Buddhism due to simple and logical teachings. It became so popular that it readily spread all over India and even to other countries.

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