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🪷intro to buddhism review

key term - Siddhartha Gautama

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Definition

Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, was the founder of Buddhism and is revered as an enlightened teacher who discovered a path to liberation from suffering. His journey from a sheltered life as a prince to seeking spiritual truth profoundly influenced the development of Buddhist thought and practice.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. Siddhartha was born into a royal family in Lumbini, present-day Nepal, around 563 BCE, living a life of luxury until his early adulthood.
  2. At the age of 29, Siddhartha encountered the Four Sights—an old man, a sick man, a dead man, and a wandering ascetic—that sparked his quest for understanding suffering.
  3. After years of ascetic practices and meditation under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, he achieved enlightenment at 35, realizing the nature of suffering and the path to its cessation.
  4. Siddhartha established the Sangha after attaining enlightenment, which became a community for those seeking to follow his teachings and attain liberation.
  5. He spent the remaining 45 years of his life teaching others about the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path before passing away at the age of 80.

Review Questions

  • How did Siddhartha Gautama's early life contribute to his quest for enlightenment?
    • Siddhartha Gautama's early life as a prince in a wealthy family provided him with all material comforts but left him unprepared for the realities of life outside his palace. The shock from encountering the Four Sights—an old man, a sick man, a dead man, and a wandering ascetic—compelled him to seek deeper understanding. This journey led him to renounce his privileged existence and pursue spiritual truths that ultimately culminated in his enlightenment.
  • What are the key teachings that Siddhartha Gautama shared after achieving enlightenment?
    • After achieving enlightenment, Siddhartha Gautama shared several key teachings focused on understanding suffering. Central to these teachings are the Four Noble Truths, which explain that suffering (dukkha) is an inherent part of life, its causes are rooted in desire and attachment, it can be overcome, and there is a path (the Eightfold Path) leading to its cessation. His teachings emphasized ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom as essential components of spiritual development.
  • Evaluate Siddhartha Gautama's impact on Buddhism's growth in India during his lifetime and its subsequent developments.
    • Siddhartha Gautama had a profound impact on Buddhism's growth in India during his lifetime by establishing a community (the Sangha) that preserved and spread his teachings. His ability to articulate complex ideas about suffering and liberation resonated with many individuals across different social strata. After his passing, Buddhism experienced both rise and decline due to various factors including political changes and cultural exchanges. However, it laid foundational principles that continued to evolve into various schools and practices within India and beyond.

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