Wisdom Quarterly: American Buddhist Journal: Who is the Buddha?

Friday, May 24, 2013

Who is the Buddha?

Dhr. Seven, Ven. Karunanada, Vesak 2013, Wisdom Quarterly; Merriam-Websters.com

The Buddha with bright gold complexion guarded by seven nagas (Hanuman/flickr.com)

Buddha's eyes of wisdom, Nepal

Prince Siddhartha (flourished c. 6th-4th century BCE, born Lumbini, near Kapilavastu, Shakya republic, Kosala kingdom [now in Afghanistan, ancient Gandhara just beyond India] -- passed into final-nirvana in Kusinara, Malla republic, Magadha kingdom [now Kasia, India]).

Ascetic (shraman) Siddhartha awoke from the illusion, found enlightenment, and became an “awakened one” (Sanskrit, buddha). Buddha is only a title -- one of many -- not a name. Buddhists believe that there are were at least 24 buddhas in the past aeon, and there may eventually be others in the distant future IF bodhisattvas (“buddhas-to-be”) practice. There is little guarantee that they will, just a likelihood, and even less certainty that they will rediscover the liberating Truth any time soon. It is likely to be ages and aeons rather than millennia and epochs.

The Buddha teaching in ancient India

The historical Buddha, referred to as the Buddha Gautama, the “Sage of the Shakyas” (Shakyamuni), or simply as the Buddha, was born a prince among the Shakyas, a word which means gray earth, dirt characteristic of Afghanistan, on the northwestern border of India.

At that time the area was a rich crossroads between East and West, much as prehistoric Kusinara had been when he chose that former kingdom (DN 16, Part 5, Section 41-44) to pass into final-nirvana in spite of Ananda's objections:

Under a sprawling Bo tree (Earth-spirit/flickr)

"[41.] Ven. Ananda spoke to the Blessed One: "Let it not be, venerable sir, that the Blessed One should pass away in this inferior place, this uncivilized township in the jungle, a mere provincial outpost. There are great cities, venerable sir, such as Campa, Rajagaha, Savatthi, Saketa, Kosambi, and Benares; let the Blessed One have his final passing into nirvana in one of those. For in those cities dwell many wealthy nobles (kshatriyas, warrior caste) and Brahmins and householders who are devotees of the Tathagata, and they will render due honor to the remains of the Tathagata. [42.] Do not say so, Ananda, do not say so! ...In times long past, Ananda, there was a king by the name of Maha Sudassana, who was a universal monarch, a ruler of righteousness (dharma), a conqueror of the four quarters of the Earth, whose realm was established in security, and who was endowed with the seven jewels. That ruler had his royal residence here at Kusinara, which was then called Kusavati..."

He is said to have lived a sheltered life of luxury that was interrupted when he left the palace and encountered four signs [possibly arranged by devas for maximum impact] an old person, a sick one, a corpse, and a renunciant wandering ascetic.

(VagabondTravels/flickr)

Renouncing his princely life, he spent six years seeking out a meditation teacher and attempting to master various ascetic practices to develop serenity and samadhi (super-consciousness, concentration, collected mind).

Other practices included futile fasting and severe asceticism in a vain effort to win enlightenment, liberation from all suffering, referred to as moksha in ancient Indian circles. Dissatisfied with the results, he reverted to caring for his body, resting, eating, and cultivating the meditative-absorptions (jhanas).

Enlightenment and Nirvana

Reclining into final peace, pari-nirvana (E-S)

He did this while meditating beneath the Bodhi tree, Ficus religiosa, where after being tempted and tormented by Mara, he pursued the question: "What is the cause of present suffering in the present?" In answering, he traced back the 12 links of Dependent Origination and realized the Four Noble Truths.

This methodical mindful practice of liberating-insight cultivated on the stable foundation of "right concentration" (samma-samadhi) after emerging from absorption, he was able to achieve enlightenment. Luxury and laxity had not accomplished it. Struggle and effort had not accomplished it. But the Middle Way, avoiding extremes of hedonism and self-mortification, led to equanimous heart and a balanced mind able to breakthrough to the ultimate Truth. And the Truth sets one free.

Vesak arrives on the full-moon day of the Indian month of Vesakha (lunaf.com).

At Sarnath he preached his first sermon to former his ascetic companions, turning the "Wheel of the Dharma," outlining the ennobling Eightfold Path, which offered a Middle Way between self-indulgence and self-mortification and led to real moksha beyond heavenly rebirths, which is the liberation of nirvana.

The five ascetics who heard this sermon became not only his first disciples but also arhats, fully enlightened individuals, who glimpsed and touched nirvana and would find release from all rebirth and suffering after passing away. With his mission fulfilled, the Buddha also passed into the bliss of final-nirvana after eating a meal that may accidentally have contained deadly mushrooms and escaped the cycle of rebirth. His body was cremated, and his relics and ashes were interred in stupas.