Authoritative on Buddha: http://www.zenguide.com/history/history_of_buddhism_links.cfm
Here's a concise history of Buddha from this site:
http://www.zenguide.com/history/history_of_buddhism_links.cfm
THE UNDERSTANDING
of a concept relies on
understanding the concept's root, its origin(s) and formation. For those who are
new to the religion, the story of Buddha will be a good place to begin your
journey.
THE STORY
Born Siddhartha Guatama in
the sixth century B.C in what today is Nepal, the Buddha was a wealthy prince of
the Shakya clan. He married, had a son and lived a pampered life. His father
carefully sheltered him from all misery. But during four excursions away from
the palace he encountered four signs - an old man, a sick man, a corpse, and a
monk. The first three symbolized humankind's suffering; the fourth Siddhartha's
destiny. Siddhartha adopted the ascetic, homeless path, first with teachers and
then, for nine years, on his own. But asceticism proved fruitless. He began to
eat again - to formulate Buddhist ideas of the Middle Path - and settled under
the famed bodhi tree, vowing to meditate until he solved the problem of
suffering. Forty-nine days later he achieved his great Enlightenment (or satori)
as the Buddha which is sought after by all Zenists.
Reluctant even to speak of it because of its wordless nature, Siddhartha
finally addressed a group of disciples, then gave his first discourse in the
Deer Park in Benares and spent the rest of his long life teaching. He died at
the age of eighty after eating spoiled food. Buddha, as he became known, is not
the only buddha.
According to Buddhist writings, there were six before him and thirteen to
follow. The next will be Maitreya, due to come in a future age to renew the
dharma.
No comments:
Post a Comment