Life of the Buddha_Thailand

The Bodhisatta (Buddha-to-be) was invited by Brahma and Four Celestial Kings to be born in the world from Tusita Heaven.

In the day Sirimahamaya, the Buddha's mother, conceived a child, she had dreamt that there was a white elephant descended from the silver and golden mountains and brought her a lotus.

Birth: On the Full Moon Day of Vesak month, 625 B.C.E., the Buddha was born in Lumbini Park. Immediately after being born, he walked for seven steps, and there was a lotus holding him up at every step. He said he was the most exalted one in the world.

When a hermit named Kaladevila visited the child, the prince mystically appeared on the head of the hermit. King Suddhodanama, his father, and all the Sakyans bowed before the prince.

During ploughing ceremony, Prince Siddhattha sat down in the shade of a tree and was soon lost in meditation. Though the shadows of all the trees had lengthened, the shadow of the tree under which the prince was seated had not moved. His father was overjoyed and bowed before him again.

Prince Siddhatha showed his skill in archery by lifting a bow which no one within memory of man had ever been able to draw or lift it. It was known from his marvellous strength that he would become Universal Monarch.

Wedding Ceremony: The gods gave the holy water from the conch when Prince Siddhatha married Princess Yasodhara. The prince was very happy in his three palaces all days and nights.

One day Prince Siddhattha went into the city and saw the four signs of and old man, a man afflicted with a loathsome, a corpse, and an ascetic. He appreciated the last one.

Great Renunciation: In the day Rahula, his son, was born, Prince Siddhattha decided to renounce the world. He saw a last sight to Yasodhara. And he happened to see his ladies in waiting who were sleeping, showing him their various kinds of ugly manners like cemetery.

Prince Siddhattha renounced the world. He accompanied by his confidant, Channa, rode to the bank of Anoma River.

Prince Siddhattha took a sword and cut off his hair with one blow.

Self-mortification: Prince Siddhattha, the Buddha-to-be, practised self-mortification for six years until he became very thin. His bones showed prominently. But his austerities did not lead him to deliverance. When he listened to a song played by Indra, he thought of a stringed instrument and discovered the Middle Way.

Sujata offered the Buddha-to-be a gold bowl full of milk mixed with rice flour and honey. Sujata thought he was a god. After taking that meal, the Buddha-to-be threw the bowl into the water.

The Buddha-to-be defeated Vasavatti Mara, King of Evil, and his companies who attacked him at the Bodhi tree. A goddess of great beauty emerged from the earth and helped the hero defeat Mara. Then the King Mara payed him his homage.

Enlightenment: At dawn on the Full Moon Day of Vesak month, 588 B.C., the Buddha enlightened the Four Noble Truths, i.e., Suffering, the Cause of Suffering, the Cessation of Suffering, and the Way leading to the Cessation of Suffering.

The three daughters of King of Evil (Mara) tried to solace and fascinate the Buddha. But their endeavour was in vain.

Two merchants named Tapussa and Bhalika gave the Buddha his barley meal. The Kings of four directions offered the Buddha four bowls. He made them to be one bowl.

The Buddha was invited by Brahma to go and preach for the welfare of the peoples of the world.

The Buddha preached the First Sermon to the five ascetics in the Deer Park, Sarnath.

The Buddha gave a sermon to Yasa. Later he gave Yasa and his fifty-four friends ordination. Yasa's parents and wife were the first people who accepted the Triple Gem as their refuge.

The Buddha gave a sermon on fire to Uruvela Kassapa, Nadi Kassapa, Gaya Kassapa, as well as their 1000 disciples, and made them all attain Arahatship.

On Magha Day, the Buddha gave Ovadapatimokkha to 1250 monks, and summarized: "Not to do bad; to do good; purify one's mind; these are the teaching of the Buddhas".

In the day Prince Nanda, his younger brother, entering wedding ceremony, the Buddha gave his bowl to Nanda. Nanda unwillingly carried it following the Buddha to his residence. The Buddha gave him ordination and took him to see the fairies. Later he became an Arahat.

King Suddhodana and Princess Yasodhara suggested Rahula to ask to the Buddha for his heritage. The Buddha gave him ordination as a novice. Suddhodana was very sorry. He then asked the Buddha not to give ordination to any one who is not granted by his parents. The Buddha accepted his proposal.

Devadatta tried against the Buddha by all means for many thousands of births. He made schism in the Order and hurted the Buddha till the Buddha's foot was bruised. The earth could not uphold him. The ground opened. The fierce flames burst forth. Devadatta sank amidst the flames and disappeared.

Prajapati, his step-mother, offered the Buddha a pair of her own hand-made robes. But the Buddha told her to offer them to the Order, since she would get more merits.

The Buddha gave flame to the remains of King Suddhodana at the Cremation Ceremony, and taught the four Buddhist companies on filial piety.

The Buddha ascended to Tavatimsa heaven and preached to Abhidhamma to his mother, Mahamaya.

In the day the Buddha was descending from Tavatimsa heaven, both men and gods were crowded. The Buddha mystically showed all worlds to the crowd.

Angulimala, the bandit, tried to kill his mother. When he saw the Buddha walking for alms round, he changed his mind and wanted to kill the Budha and ordered Him to stop. The Buddha said He had already stopped, He meant He had stopped from killing. Angulimala suddently understood, dropped his weapon, and asked to be ordained. He later became an Arahat.

The Buddha entered into Pari-Nibbana at the Sal grove in Kusinara city, 543 B.C.E., after preaching for the welfare of the peoples for forty-five years.

Division of the Buddha's relics: A brahmin named Tona told the kings of seven countries to stop fighting for the Buddha's relics and better to practise the Dharma. He divided the relics to those kings proportionally.