Buddha

Gautama Buddha (c. 563–483 BCE), also known as Siddhartha Gautama, was a spiritual teacher, philosopher, and founder of Buddhism, one of the major religions and philosophical traditions of the world. Revered as the “Enlightened One”, Buddha’s teachings centred on the principles of moral conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom, offering a path to liberation (Nirvana) from suffering (Dukkha). His life and message profoundly influenced Indian thought and later spread across Asia, shaping the moral and spiritual outlook of many civilisations.

Early Life and Background

Gautama Buddha was born in Lumbini, near Kapilavastu (present-day Nepal), into the Shakya clan of the Kshatriya warrior community. His father, King Śuddhodana, was the ruler of the Shakyas, and his mother, Queen Maya Devi, belonged to the Koliyan clan. According to tradition, Queen Maya dreamt of a white elephant entering her womb, symbolising the birth of a great being.
Seven days after Siddhartha’s birth, his mother passed away, and he was raised by his maternal aunt, Mahāprajāpatī Gautamī.
Astrologers predicted that the child would either become a universal monarch (Chakravartin) or a great spiritual teacher who would renounce worldly life. To ensure he became a king, his father shielded him from suffering, surrounding him with luxury and pleasure within the palace walls.
At the age of 16, Siddhartha married Princess Yashodhara, and they had a son named Rahula. Despite the comforts of royal life, Siddhartha grew restless, questioning the nature of existence and the inevitability of suffering.

The Four Sights and the Great Renunciation

At the age of 29, while venturing outside the palace, Siddhartha encountered four sights that profoundly transformed his understanding of life:

1. An old man – revealing the reality of aging.
2. A sick man – exposing the truth of illness.
3. A dead body – confronting him with mortality.
4. A wandering ascetic – symbolising renunciation and the quest for spiritual liberation.

These experiences awakened in him a deep sense of compassion and the desire to seek the truth behind human suffering.
One night, he renounced his princely life — an event known as the Great Renunciation (Mahābhiniṣkramana). Leaving behind his family and wealth, he cut off his hair, donned ascetic robes, and set out in search of enlightenment.

Search for Truth

Siddhartha first studied under renowned teachers:

• Alara Kalama, who taught him meditation leading to higher states of consciousness.
• Uddaka Ramaputta, under whom he mastered advanced yogic practices.

However, realising that neither extreme asceticism nor sensory indulgence led to ultimate liberation, he adopted the Middle Path (Madhyamā Pratipad) — a balanced way of life avoiding both excess and deprivation.
He then engaged in deep meditation under a Bodhi tree (Peepal tree) at Uruvela, near modern Bodh Gaya (Bihar), vowing not to rise until he attained true knowledge.

Enlightenment

After intense meditation, Siddhartha attained enlightenment (Bodhi) at the age of 35, becoming the Buddha, the “Awakened One.”
During this profound spiritual awakening, he understood:

1. The truth of suffering (Dukkha),
2. The cause of suffering (Tṛṣṇā or craving),
3. The cessation of suffering (Nirvana), and
4. The path leading to the cessation of suffering (Eightfold Path).

These insights formed the core of his philosophy — the Four Noble Truths.
The Bodhi tree under which he attained enlightenment became one of the most sacred symbols of Buddhism.

The First Sermon: Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta

After enlightenment, Buddha travelled to Sarnath (near Varanasi), where he delivered his first sermon to five former companions — Kondanna, Vappa, Bhaddiya, Mahanama, and Assaji.
This event, called Dhammacakkappavattana (Turning the Wheel of Dharma), marks the formal beginning of Buddhism.
In this sermon, he explained the Four Noble Truths and introduced the Middle Path, establishing the foundation of his teachings.

The Four Noble Truths

1. Dukkha (Truth of Suffering): Life is marked by suffering, impermanence, and dissatisfaction. Birth, aging, illness, and death are inevitable.
2. Samudaya (Cause of Suffering): The root cause of suffering is desire or craving (Tṛṣṇā) — attachment to pleasures, possessions, and existence.
3. Nirodha (Cessation of Suffering): Liberation from suffering is possible through the cessation of desire, leading to Nirvana (a state of supreme peace).
4. Magga (Path to the Cessation of Suffering): The way to end suffering is through the Noble Eightfold Path.

The Noble Eightfold Path

The path to liberation consists of eight interconnected principles grouped into three categories:

1. Moral Conduct (Śīla):
   • Right Speech
   • Right Action
   • Right Livelihood
2. Mental Discipline (Samādhi):
   • Right Effort
   • Right Mindfulness
   • Right Concentration
3. Wisdom (Prajñā):
   • Right Understanding
   • Right Thought

Following this path leads to self-purification and the realisation of Nirvana.

Teachings and Philosophy

Buddha’s teachings are pragmatic and focus on self-realisation rather than divine revelation. The key features include:

• The Middle Path: Avoidance of extremes in conduct and thought.
• Karma and Rebirth: Actions (karma) determine one’s future existence; liberation ends the cycle of birth and death (Samsara).
• Anatta (No-Self): There is no permanent soul or self; individuality is a combination of ever-changing elements.
• Anicca (Impermanence): All things are transient and subject to decay.
• Dukkha (Suffering): Suffering arises from attachment and ignorance.
• Nirvana: The ultimate goal — liberation from desire, suffering, and rebirth.

Buddha rejected the authority of the Vedas, the rigid caste system, and excessive rituals. His philosophy emphasised ethical living, mindfulness, and compassion.

Spread of Buddhism

After his enlightenment, Buddha spent 45 years travelling across northern India, teaching and establishing monastic communities (Sanghas).

• His followers included kings like Bimbisara and Ajatashatru of Magadha, and ordinary people alike.
• He admitted both men and women into the monastic order, demonstrating inclusivity and equality.

Buddhism spread rapidly across India and beyond through monks, traders, and missionaries:

• Emperor Ashoka (3rd century BCE) played a pivotal role in promoting Buddhism after his conversion, sending missions to Sri Lanka, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia.
• Over centuries, Buddhism evolved into different schools — Theravāda (Hinayana), Mahāyāna, and Vajrayāna — each interpreting the teachings in diverse ways.

The Last Years and Mahaparinirvana

In his final years, Buddha continued to travel and teach. At the age of 80, while staying at Kushinagar (Uttar Pradesh), he fell ill after eating a meal offered by a devotee named Cunda.
He delivered his final sermon to his disciples, emphasising the impermanence of all things and the importance of self-effort:

“All compounded things are subject to decay. Strive diligently for your own salvation.”

Soon after, he attained Mahāparinirvana — the final passing away, marking the end of his rebirth cycle.

Symbols and Legacy

Buddhism’s spread gave rise to a rich tradition of art, architecture, and philosophy. The Buddha was represented symbolically in early art before anthropomorphic depictions emerged.
Major Symbols of Buddha:

• Lotus: Purity and spiritual awakening.
• Dharma Chakra (Wheel): The teaching of the Buddha.
• Stupa: Relic mound symbolising enlightenment.
• Bodhi Tree: Site of enlightenment.

Architectural Contributions:

• Stupas (e.g., Sanchi, Bharhut, Amaravati)
• Rock-cut caves (Ajanta, Ellora, Karle)
• Monastic universities (Nalanda, Vikramashila)

Philosophical Legacy:

• Buddhism contributed to India’s intellectual life, ethics, and art.
• Its emphasis on non-violence and compassion influenced later reformers such as Mahatma Gandhi and inspired global movements for peace.