Introduction l Buddha l Bodhidharma

Buddhism is based on the teachings of the Buddha who was an enlightened human being, not a God.  All human beings have the potential to become a Buddha.  The word Buddha literally means awakened or enlightened.

The historical Buddha was born a royal prince in Northern India in the year 563 B.C.  His name was Siddhartha and his family name was Gotama.  His father was King Suddhodana of the Shakyas who were a warrior clan that lived by the footsteps of the Himalayas.  His mother was Queen Maya.  As a prince, Siddhartha in his royal palaces lived a life of luxury, surrounded by wealth and comfort. 

One day as Prince Siddhartha ventured out of the palace to see the world outside, he came in direct contact with the stark realities of life. Within the narrow confines of the palace he was only exposed to the fortunate and pleasurable aspects of life but the dark side, the common lot of mankind, was purposely veiled from him.  On his excursion he encountered a decrepit old man, a diseased person, a corpse and a calm, dignified ascetic. The first three sights convincingly proved to him the inexorable nature of life and the universal reality of human suffering. The fourth sight signified the means to overcome the ills of life and to attain calm and peace. These four unexpected sights had a profound impact on Prince Siddhartha.

Prince Siddhartha at the age of twenty-nine decided to leave his royal palace and family to live a holy life as a wandering ascetic in the search for truth.  It was not the renunciation of a poor man who had nothing to leave behind but the renunciation of a prince in the full bloom of youth with the plenitude of wealth and prosperity. 

On his quest for truth, as an ascetic, Siddhartha subjected himself through extreme mental and physical austerities, which weakened his health.  He also became the disciple of many famous masters.  They taught him mental concentration and various meditation techniques.  Siddhartha had gained complete mastery of meditation, yet his search for the ultimate truth was not complete. 

 Siddhartha recognized that the truth is to be found within oneself so he ceased to seek external aid.  He also realized the importance of avoiding the extremes, regained his health and discovered the middle path.  The middle path represents moderation and balance.

Finally after a strenuous struggle of six years, at the age of thirty-five, Siddhartha while meditating in solitude concentrated his mind and by his own efforts and intuitive wisdom attained complete enlightenment.  Thereafter, he was known as the Buddha, theawakened one.

The Buddha after attaining enlightenment spent the next 45 years of his life traveling from village to village teaching the dharma, the doctrine of Buddhism.  He came to this world to teach the truth for the sake of all living beings.  At the age of 80 years old, the Buddha passed away into Nirvana.  

The wisdom of a Buddha is universal and transcends all delusions, therefore it is said that all Buddhas teach universal truths.  To be a Buddha means to have a perfect perception and comprehension of life and the universe.  It also means to have perfect wisdom and boundless compassion for all living beings. 

There have been many Buddhas in the past and there will be other Buddhas in the future.  Intrinsically, we are all potential Buddhas.