The Buddha’s Life and Enlightenment

This section explores the Buddha’s life and enlightenment. Buddhism, one of the world's major religions, was founded approximately 2,500 years ago. It is generally accepted that its origins can be traced back to Siddhartha Gautama, a remarkable individual who came to be known as the Buddha. Born into a privileged, royal family, Gautama chose to abandon a life of luxury in search of spiritual truth. His quest for enlightenment and the teachings he developed have had a profound influence on Buddhists and continue to inspire people around the world.

The Buddha’s life is an important source of wisdom and authority for Buddhists, shaping both their beliefs and way of life. His teachings, which emphasize mindfulness, compassion, and the pursuit of inner peace, remain central to the practice of Buddhism today. Siddhartha’s journey to enlightenment reveals a radically different spiritual message compared to the religious traditions of his time in India, which were largely centred around faith in gods and devotional worship. In contrast, the Buddha’s teachings focused on a personal path of spiritual awakening, without reliance on any deities. By learning about the Buddha’s life, his quest for enlightenment, and his teachings, one can better understand the origins of Buddhism and the lasting impact the Buddha has had on his followers.

Life of the Buddha

Siddhartha Gautama was born in Lumbini, in modern-day Nepal, into a royal family. His birth is surrounded by remarkable events that Buddhists consider significant. According to Buddhist tradition, his mother, Queen Maya, had a dream in which she saw a white elephant enter her womb, symbolising the conception of a special child. When Siddhartha was born, it is said that his mother suffered no pain during childbirth and that he was born from her side. From the moment of his birth, Siddhartha was believed to possess extraordinary qualities; he immediately stood up, walked seven steps, and declared that he would achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. This miraculous birth serves to underline the belief that the Buddha was an exceptional figure whose teachings are to be highly regarded.

“And from the side of the queen her son was born and without illness.”
— Buddhacarita, line 25

Siddhartha’s early life was one of immense privilege. Shielded from the harsh realities of life, he lived a life of luxury in the palace, enjoying the comforts of wealth and power. His father, King Suddhodana, sought to protect him from the suffering of the world and kept him isolated from the natural experiences of old age, sickness, and death. Siddhartha married at the age of 16 and had a son, yet despite his comfortable life, he began to feel dissatisfied and questioned the meaning of existence.

The Four Sights and the Realisation of Suffering

The turning point in Siddhartha's life came when he ventured outside the palace walls. On his journey, he encountered what are known as the Four Sights, which had a profound impact on him:

Old Age – Siddhartha saw an elderly man, frail and fragile, which made him realise that ageing is an inevitable part of life.

Sickness – He witnessed a sick person suffering, which made him aware of the universal nature of illness.

Death – Siddhartha encountered a corpse, which confronted him with the reality that all beings will eventually die.

A Holy Man – Finally, he saw an ascetic, a person who had renounced worldly pleasures in search of spiritual truth. This sight inspired him to seek a deeper understanding of existence.

The Four Sights were pivotal in awakening Siddhartha to the realities of life. For Buddhists, these sights are symbolic of the core teachings of Buddhism, particularly the Three Marks of Existence—impermanence (anicca), suffering (dukkha), and no-soul (anatta). These experiences made Siddhartha deeply aware of the pervasive nature of suffering in the world and inspired him to embark on a journey to find a way to end it.

The Search for Enlightenment

Driven by a desire to understand the nature of suffering and find a path to end it, Siddhartha left his family, renouncing his life of comfort and luxury. He spent several years studying under various teachers and practising extreme forms of asceticism, seeking to attain supreme knowledge through self-denial.

During this period, Siddhartha engaged in severe practices, including fasting, self-mortification, and enduring physical discomfort in the belief that these hardships would lead to spiritual awakening. However, after a time, he realised that such extremes were not the answer to the end of suffering. It was then that he discovered the Middle Way—a path of moderation that avoids both indulgence in sensual pleasures and extreme self-affliction.

“There are these two extremes that are not to be indulged … that which is devoted to sensual pleasure and that which is devoted to self-affliction … [by] avoiding both of these extremes, the middle way is realised.”
— Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta 56:11

Enlightenment Under the Bodhi Tree

Siddhartha then sat under a Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, vowing not to rise until he had attained enlightenment. He entered deep meditation, confronting powerful temptations and distractions. It was during this time that he gained profound insight into the nature of existence, attaining enlightenment and becoming the Buddha. He realised that suffering is caused by attachment and craving, and that these can be overcome through mindfulness, ethical conduct, and wisdom.

His awakening under the Bodhi tree was a pivotal moment in Buddhist history. Siddhartha, now the Buddha, understood the path to end suffering and the means to achieve true peace and liberation. His teachings became a guide for others seeking to escape the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara).

The Buddha’s Teachings and Meditation

After his enlightenment, the Buddha began to share his newfound wisdom with others. He taught the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, which outline the nature of suffering and the path to its cessation. The Buddha's teachings provide practical steps for overcoming suffering and achieving peace.

Central to the Buddha's enlightenment was the practice of meditation, which he used to attain insight and clarity. Meditation remains a key practice in Buddhism today, as it is considered the most effective way to cultivate mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom. The Buddha's own commitment to meditation exemplified his dedication to the search for truth, and his example continues to inspire Buddhists to engage in meditation as a way of reaching spiritual insight and peace.

The Buddha’s enlightenment serves as the foundation of Buddhism, offering a path of understanding, compassion, and liberation. Through his life and teachings, the Buddha demonstrated that anyone can achieve enlightenment through diligent practice and insight into the true nature of existence.