Gautam Buddha: Devotional narrative to learn untouched facts of human life

 Tagline: Spiritual rays of Buddha to cleanse impurities of human mind and body

Teachings and sermons of Gautam Buddha truly impart noble facts to adopt high moral standards and achieve enlightenment in life. Buddha accentuated to learn ethical knowledge and embrace supreme qualities such as wisdom, compassion, kindness, and patience to shape healthy society.

Life segments of Gautam Buddha:

Siddhartha Gautama, originator of principles of Buddhism was born in Lumbini in the Shakya Clan residing in the Himalayan foothills, currently nestled in Southern Nepal. He belonged to a very affluent Hindu family. His father Suddhodana, was the head of the Shakya clan while his mother Maya was a Koliyan princess. At the time of his birth, drastic social and religious transformation was going on and religion promoted devotional worship.  His mother, Maya dreamed that a white elephant entered her right side when she conceived him and delivered the baby at the standing position while holding a tree in a garden. The child arose from Maya's right side fully developed and it is documented that the baby took seven steps immediately after birth and spoke words of wisdom. Lotus flowers blossomed where he walked seven steps. From ancient literary sources, the court astrologers of the kingdom forecasted about Gautam Buddha that the child will gain miraculous religious knowledge and he will be known as a great sage. After knowing this fact, Buddha’s father was alert and protected him from the outside social environment and major unpleasant events that occur in society.

In childhood, Gautam Budhha was nurtured in a luxurious atmosphere. At the age of 16, he got married with Yasodhara who belonged to an affluent family. Afterwards, the couple had one son, named Rahula. After living a comfy life till 29 years, Buddha got exposure to the real world. One day when he was walking in the streets of Kapilavastu by a convincing to charioteer, Channa (a royal servant of Prince Siddhartha), Buddha saw an old man, a sick man and a corpse. He was told by his charioteer that all people suffer these painful stages of life. After knowing the real happenings of the natural world, his mind was changed and decided to search the basis of human agony and make efforts to overcome dark side life. Therefore, he left the lavish life of the kingdom and voyaged different places to find the root cause and solutions to human sadness. After years, wandering numerous places and learning the causes of sufferings, he was engrossed in meditation under the Bodhi tree and after gaining mystical knowledge, he started spreading his teachings with the help of his sangha.

Gautama rebuffed his comfortable life in the palace and adopted a simple, self-disciplined lifestyle. In Buddhism literature, once a disciple attains enlightenment, the truth about life, he is freed from the cycle of rebirth because he has touched Nirvana. Once people get to Nirvana, they are not born again into sansara (suffering). The noble teachings of Buddhism emphasize that human life is full of sorrow which can be diminished with sincere practices of meditation, spiritual and physical labor. People who embrace high moral values and conduct good behavior may attain enlightenment, or nirvana.

Inspirational Quotes by Gautam Buddha:

- It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles.

- Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.

Significance of Budhha Purnima:

Buddha Purnima, named as Buddha Jayanti is the renowned festival in India, celebrated on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha, the originator of Buddhism tradition. Buddha Purnima is the full moon day that memorializes the birth, enlightenment and attainment of Mahasamadhi by Gautama Buddha. According to conventional literature, on this day, Buddha attained enlightenment. The great significance of this festival is to remember the sacrifices and follow great teachings of Buddha that moved towards enlightenment. People can refer to real inspirational thoughts and principles of Buddha to modify their living and develop a noble society.

People all over the world celebrate Buddha Purnima with devotion and enthusiasm. On the auspicious occasion of this day, Buddhist followers visit holy places that include Bodh Gaya, Lumbini, and Sarnath to offer their devoutness to Buddha. Disciples in India also take a holy dip in rivers to celebrate Buddha Purnima.

Ashvaghosha was a great poet who wrote a biography of Buddha, universally called, “Buddhacharitra”.

Final thought:

Buddha was an honored and spiritual educator who spread dogmas of Buddhism to transform the life of masses. Buddha was blessed with charismatic religious and reforming traits. He greatly influenced the global populace through his sermons and noble teachings. Putting light on his life, he was born in a patrician family and facilitated with all the luxuries.  Once he observed intense anguish of people in his kingdom, he was deeply shocked and left his lavish life to explore the truth of human suffering.  After attaining enlightenment, Budhha shaped the dogmas of Buddhism and scattered among people to get relief from sadness of their life. His principles of Buddhism are adopted by huge people and disciples devotionally dipped into his significant teachings to rejuvenate their living.

Important note:

Above spiritual narration is written by compiling information from environmental inputs. Aim of the writer is to provide general information about the great persona, Buddha, who attained enlightenment and spread noble teaching. Readers can refer to literature to further understand the creed of Buddhism. Any resemblance is just a coincidence. Writer is not responsible for any disagreement