Lord Buddha

The Life of Lord Buddha (563BC - 643BC)

Born into a loving Royal family in northern India, Siddhattha the Prince lived a priveleged life in the royal court. As a very young infant Brahmins noticed greatness in the child; they predicted that he would be either a Monarch or an enlightened one - a Buddha.
In his youth Siddhattha began to spontaneously meditate having many high spiritual experiences. He was later married at the age of sixteen and his growing contemplative nature and compassion prevented him from participating in Royal pleasures and excesses. He knew no difficulties in life, but had witnessed sorrow and death amongst his adoring subjects when accompanying his father to events outside the Royal Palace.

Driven by the urge to discover the true meaning, the Truth of life, deliberately shielded from him within the luxury of the Royal Palace, Siddhattha renounced the world in order to discover the nature of life, and the universal ailment of humanity. Leaving his family and wealth behind, Siddhatta with his passion to help humanity left the Palace to become a penniless roaming ascetic.

And so began with no permanent abode Siddhatta's quest for self-knowledge. After spending time with several religious teachers Siddharttha realised his aspirations were far higher than those he was learning from. He then realised that the Ultimate Truth was not to be learnt for others, but from within oneself.

So after many years of experiences, severe austerities, discomfort and pain Siddhatta finally realised that the true answer to Enlightenment lay in the Middle Path. Alone when great men find Truth and solve complex issues, Siddhattha over a six year period through his own contemplations and wisdom became an Enlightened One, a Lord Buddha.

After reaching enlightenment, the Lord Buddha then travelled for forty-five years sharing his wisdom of discovering the mind. It is for this reason that his teachings, called the Dharma are so vast. The Kanjur, Buddha´s own words, consists of 108 volumes containing 84,000 helpful teachings. Later commentaries on these, the Tenjur, amount to another 254 equally thick books.

At every moment
In the depths of my heart,
I shall have to fight
Against all my temptations.
And if I can
Conquer all my temptations,
Then I shall be another Buddha.
With all the unique qualities
Of the Absolute.

~Sri Chinmoy

About Buddhism - books on - Buddhism

Amazon.com Books on Buddhist - Poetry

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Write Spirit - Quotes from Buddhism

By Sri Chinmoy - Siddhartha Becomes The Buddha (play)

Further references -

From Poetry Chaikhana, sacred poetry - most comprehensive list of Buddhist links.

Aspects and branches of - Buddhism

Buddhanet.net - Buddhist information and education network

About - Zen Buddhism

A Buddhist Centre for Buddhist study, meditation and retreat - Chenrezig Institute

The Buddha of Compassion - Chenrezig