Gautama Siddhartha, also known as Buddha Shakyamuni, was born to King Shuddhodana and Queen Mayadevi in Lumbini, which is now a region in Nepal. Mayadevi dreamed that an elephant had entered her womb, a sign that her soon-too-be baby would become a strong and powerful being. It is said that Shuddhodana invited a seer to make predictions about his son and the seer predicted that their son would become a "Buddha, and that his beneficial influence will pervade the thousand million worlds like the rays of the sun".
The Prince grew up to be quite intelligent. It is recorded that he learned 64 languages and didn't have to study but did so to please his family and others. He also became quite a sportsman and quite compassionate for his people, whom he acknowledged many as ill, elderely and suffering. He realized that he had to leave the palace, since only a completely enlightened buddha has the ability to help all those suffering, who is everyone. In his late twenties, he told his parents his idea.
His parents didn't want him to leave however and did all that they could to stop him, including surrounding him with beautiful women, dancers and musicians as means to entice him. They failed however and the Prince did manage to escape. Afterin traveling six miles, Gautama Buddha "cut off his hair hrew it into the sky, where it was caught by the gods of the Land of the Thirty-three Heavens".
The Prince meditated in India for six years and with this determination he entered the space-like concentration on the Dharmakaya where he focused all his energy on the ultimate nature of all phenomena. He did this until he achieved complete full enlightenment. Devaputra Mara, leader of all demons tried distracing the Prince with images of beautiful women as well as illusions of demons firing arrows, rolling boulders and other scenes of violence. Devaputra Mara failed howver and Siddhartha continued his meditation until he "removed the final veils of ignorance from his mind and in the next moment became a Buddha, a fully enlightened being".Later on, Siddhartha taught the First Wheel of Dharma, which includes the Four Noble Truths as well as the Second Wheel, which is about the Perfection of Wisdom Sutras, and the Third Wheel, which is the Sutra Discriminating the Intention.
Much of Buddhism includes training your mind and not letting other conditions or situations control your state of mind. It's also important to note that "Buddha" means "awakened one" and "Dharma" means protection.
Learning more about this religion truly made me look at situations differently. By redefining the way we look at situations can help us control our mind and learn from these "opportunites", instead of "problems" or "hardships". I definitely see a nowaday phrase that captures this message: Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference".
After finding out about the origin of Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha, and the principles of this ancient religion, I can't help but feel excited. Heck, I would even say enlightened. And I hope you do too!
Thanks!
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