Life and teaching of Buddha

A chapter from The Buddha’s Way by H. Saddhatissa

The Buddha’s Way is one of the best, simplest and most easily understandable introductions to the teachings of Buddha. Despite the fact that Buddhism teaches a simple and practical way of life, books inspired by the Buddha’s teachings have often been confused by technical terms or by a highly personal interpretation which distorts the essence of what the Buddha taught. In The Buddha’s Way, Dr. Saddhatissa sets out to explain Buddhist principles and practices simply and clearly

“Buddha — One who enlightened or awakened”

The commonly known as Buddha, was once the prince ‘Siddhartha’, who was born in 563 BC in Lumbini. His father Suddhodana was the ruler of the Sakya country. Siddhartha married her cousin Yasodhara at the age of 16 and after 13 years they were blessed with a son, whom they named Rahul.

Siddhartha was always troubled by the sickness and misery he saw around him, he went to many gurus and wise people to get answers to his questions but he didn’t get any satisfactory answer, then at age of 29, he left his home in search of an answer to his question. At the starting he followed the path of orthodoxy only, he practiced Austerities for 6 years. Still, he didn’t get an answer to his questions and then he realized instead of promoting peace and mental clarity he had just ruined his health.

And that was the moment when he rejected the austerity and started following a middle path and began to meditate and realized two things — the truth of the existence of suffering and a middle way avoiding extremes.

Buddha’s teaching began at Sarnath, a place at Benaras. Where he gave four noble truth about life-

1. The truth that unhappiness exists
2. The truth that there is a cause for that unhappiness
3. The truth that unhappiness can be ceased
4. The truth that there is a way that leads to the cessation of unhappiness.

He also mentioned that craving, possessiveness, and envy are the main causes of social ills. He denounced the holy practices such as sacrificing animals. He disregarded cast system, helped who were distressed in mind and body. He taught men to recognize the interdependence of cause and effect and not blindly following the rituals such as sacrifices to Gods nor just making prayers without doing anything to understand it.

Buddha said “ Accepts my words only after you have examined it — You yourself must make efforts — Strive on heedfully”

Thank you

An attempt to tell about Buddha’s life and teaching simply.