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THE BUDDHA

Birth to Enlightenment

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A Chronology of Events (Prince Siddhartha’s birth to becoming the Buddha)

1. Queen Maya dreamt of a white elephant entering her womb.

a.) The white elephant entering her womb represents a child who is pure and powerful.

b.) The elephant came from the heaven which also represents that the child is from the heaven.

2. The birth of Prince Siddhartha. The name “Siddhartha” means “one who has accomplished his goals”.

Miracle Stories surrounding his birth:

a.) Queen Maya not feeling any pain during Siddhartha’s birth.

b.) Baby Siddhartha being mysteriously washed by water.

c.) The earth shook during his birth.d.) The baby Siddhartha walked 7 steps and

declared he will become chief of the world.

3. King Suddhodana asks a Brahmin to see into the prince’s future

a.) The Prince will become either a great king or a great religious man/the Buddha.

4. The prince grows up. He was a curious, inquisitive and smart child—both in his studies and skills.

5. The king sheltered the prince with luxurious life. He was given many things to prevent him from leaving the palace.

6. Prince Siddhartha was married to Princess Yasodhara at the age of 16. They had a child

a.) The marriage was arranged by king Suddhodana

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7. Prince Siddhartha was permitted by king Suddhodana to visit the kingdom.

The Four Sights

a.) The prince saw a weak old man.

b.) The prince saw a sick man suffering from the illness.

c. The prince saw a dead man and the weeping relatives.

d.) The prince saw a monk/religious man in meditation.

8. The prince was bothered by what he saw. He contemplated on them.

9. Prince Siddhartha left behind the luxury of the palace, his family and his chance to become a king.

10. Prince Siddhartha went out, embraced an ascetic life and searched for the answers for his four sights.

11. Prince Siddhartha learned meditation from teachers.

a.) It was not enough because sitting and being on one place while meditation could not be extended forever and will not help find the answers to his four sights.

12. Prince Siddhartha joined Brahmin students who practiced fasting and breathe control.

a.) This did also help him

b.) It is said that too much fasting almost brought him to death (sources say he ate a few grains of rice each day and that he consumed only a spoonful of bean soup per day too)

13. Prince Siddhartha realized the “middle way” which is largely defined by moderation and meditation.

a.) He rejected the practices of the Brahmins as it brought discomfort and death. He went on to find his answers.

b.) A woman offered the prince nourishments after almost dying because of the very long meditating and fasting.

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14. The Three watches of the Night/ Three periods of the Night.

a.) First watch: he developed the ability to recall the events of his previous reincarnations in detail.

b.) Second Watch: he was able to see how the good and bad deeds that many living things performed during their lifetimes led to the reincarnation into their next life.

c.) Third Watch: he learned that he had progressed beyond "spiritual sins," desire, hatred, hunger, thirst, exhaustion, fear, doubt, and delusions.

15. The temptation of Mara

a.) In Buddhist literature, Mara attempted to stop Prince Siddhartha from attaining enlightenment through temptation and fear. Mara tried persuading the prince that what he was doing was useless and no one will stand witness to his enlightenment. The prince touch the ground and declared “earth will be my witness”.

b.) Though tempted, according to Buddhist stories, the prince sat for 49 days without being disturbed.

16. Prince Siddhartha attains enlightenment

a.) While sitting under a Bodhi tree, he begun to experience spiritual discovery.

16. Prince Siddhartha becomes the Buddha