CHILDREN'S CORNER

GO SLOW

LIFE OF THE BUDDHA
Adapted from Bhikkhu Silacara’s “A Young People’s guide to Buddha” 

BOYHOOD OF SIDDHARTHA

At the time Siddhartha was born, wise men predicted a bright future for him. They stated he was no ordinary boy and soon he proved them correct. Since the mother died, Siddhartha was brought up by his aunt Mahapajapathi. She nursed and attended to her sister’s son as if he was her own.  When he reached the age of eight years, the father, King Suddhodana got teachers to teach the young prince. He learnt reading, writing and arithmetic. Very soon Siddhartha learned everything they taught him. He learned so fast, his teachers, father and aunt were all surprised. Whatever the subject, when he was told something once he quickly grasped it and always remembered it. This was specially noticed in arithmetic. Even at this young age, it was quite apparent that he was no ordinary child but someone endowed with exceptional mental ability. Although he was a clever student and highly respected since he was the king’s son and heir to the throne, he never failed to show respect to his teachers. He was grateful since it was from them that he learned. He was always gentle and dignified towards his teachers and others and was modest and respectful.

In physical activities too, he was well endowed. Although gentle and modest, he was also bold and fearless and excelled in the manly sports of his time. He was a cool and daring horseman and a skillful chariot-driver. He won several competitions against some of the best drivers in the country. Yet, with all his keenness to win , he was kind and gentle towards his horses who helped him to win. Frequently, he would let a race be lost rather than ill treat and urge the weary and panting horses to plod on. Not only to his horses, but also to all creatures he showed tenderness and compassion.

Once when Siddhartha was out walking in the country with his cousin Devadatta who had his bow and arrows with him, Devadatta shot a swan that was flying over their heads. His arrow hit the swan and painfully wounded, it fell to the ground. Both boys ran forward to pick it up, but Siddharttha reached it first and holding it gently, he pulled the arrow out of its wing. He put some cool leaves on the wound to stop it from  bleeding, With his hand he stroked and soothed the hurt and frightened bird. But Devadatta was very much annoyed to see his cousin take the swan from him in this way.  He called to Siddharttha to give the swan to him because he had brought it down with his arrow. Siddharttha, however, refused to give it to him, saying that if the bird had been killed, then it would have been his; but as it was alive and not dead, it belonged to the one who actually secured possession of it, and so he meant to keep it. But still Devadatta maintained that it should belong to him because it was his arrow that had brought it down. So Siddhattha suggested they refer the dispute to the Council of Elders for settlement to which Devadatta agreed. The council, accordingly, was called and the question was put before them.  Some in the council argued one way and some the other; some said the bird should be Devadatta's, and others said that Siddharttha was quite right to keep it. But at last one of the Elders rose and said: "A life certainly must belong to him who tries to save it; a life cannot belong to one who is only trying to destroy it. The wounded bird by right belongs to the one who saved its life. Let the swan be given to Siddharttha." All the others in the council agreed with these wise words, and Prince Siddharttha was allowed to keep the swan whose life he had saved. He cared for it tenderly until the wound was healed. Then he set it free and let it fly back once more well and happy to its flock on the forest-lake.

SIDDHARTHA as a Youth and an Adult

At the young age of sixteen years he married his cousin Yasodhara. They lived happily enjoying the luxury of a royal household. After sometime, in spite of all the luxury with which he was surrounded, the young prince Siddhartha did not feel altogether happy. He wanted to know more about what lay outside the palace walls.  He wanted to see how other people who did not belong to the royalty, lived their lives. One day he ventured out to see the real world. His observant eyes met the sight of an old, sick man in dirty rags. He also had the occasion to observe a sick person, a corpse and also a hermit.

Back in the royal household, Siddhartha used to contemplate about the suffering of human beings. As time passed, the truth about life gradually dawned on him. He became more compassionate and contemplative. He no longer enjoyed the pleasures of the royal household. He himself knew no sorrow; but he felt great pity and sorrow for the suffering humanity. He realized the worthlessness of sensual pleasures in everyday life.  He considered the value of renunciation as a means to overcome the ills of life and attain calm and peace. But during this time Yasodhara gave birth to their first child, a son, Rahula. He knew that the mother and child would be well looked after since they had all the means in the palace at their disposal. He finally decided to leave his wife and son and the royal household in search of Truth and Peace.

He asked his charioteer Channa to prepare his favorite horse Kanthaka and went to the suite where his wife and child were asleep.  He had a final look at his wife and son who were fast asleep. Leaving all behind but with a light heart he left the palace in the darkness of the night accompanied only by his charioteer. He was 29 years old. He thus set off in search of truth and peace. He arrived at the river Anoma (Neranjera) and having crossed the river rested on the bank. He shaved his head and beard with the sword and handed over all his garments and ornaments to Channa. He instructed his charioteer to return to the palace and inform the family. He put on the traditional saffron garb of an ascetic. Siddhartha thus became a barefooted, penniless and homeless wanderer with only a bowl to collect whatever food the charitable gave. He devoted his time and energy to discovering the Truth.

SIDDHARTHA THE ASCETIC

In those days in ancient India there were many different teachers of religion. They took under their care pupils and taught them all they themselves knew. One of these religious teachers, well known for his knowledge and attainments, was called Alara Kalama.  Siddhartha went to him in order to learn what he had to teach. Siddhartha stayed with Alara Kalama for a long time and studied under him and practiced the numerous religious practices his teacher taught him. Siddhartha was so diligent that after sometime he had learned and practiced everything his teacher knew and practiced. His teacher Alara Kalama thought so highly of him and of his great ability that one day he said to Siddhartha: "Now you know everything I know. Whether you teach my doctrine or whether I teach it, it is all the same. You are the same as I: I am the same as you. There is no difference between us. Stay with me and take my place as teacher to my disciples along with me."

"But have you nothing more you can teach me?" asked Siddhattha. "Can you not teach me the way to get beyond the reach of life and death?"

"No," said Alara Kalama. "That is a thing I do not know myself, so how can I teach it to you? I do not believe that anybody in the whole world knows that."

Very much disappointed, Siddhartha left his master Alara Kalama, and went away. Again, he went wandering around the country, looking for some one who knew and could teach him more than he had learned under Alara Kalama.

After sometime he came to hear of another famous teacher called Uddaka, who was said by everybody to possess great knowledge and powers. So Siddhartha went to Uddaka and became his pupil and diligently studied and practiced under him. After sometime, as with Alara Kalama, he was as clever and learned as his master. Siddhartha asked his teacher Uddaka, the same question that he had asked Alara Kalama. He asked him if he had nothing more to teach him. He asked if he could not teach him how to overcome birth and death.  But Uddaka was in the same position as Alara Kalama. So disappointed once more, Siddhartha took leave of Uddaka too. Hemade up his mind that he would not go to any more teachers to ask about what he wanted to know but henceforth would try to find it out for himself, by his own labor and efforts.