Reading Notes : The Life of Buddha : Reading C

Siddhartha rejects the teachings of Arata Kalama. While his teachings give assurance to "transcending into the sky," they still allow terrible suffering of the human race. Siddhartha sets out to determine an end to this suffering.

Siddhartha is still denying any gifts, because he now lives a life completely free of desire. He also rejects Rudraka's teachings because they are so similar to Arata and aren't of the truest law.

We see some of Siddhartha's first mistakes on his path to wisdom. He becomes a beggar in the city, his disciples think of him as a foolish man, and they leave him. Also want to point out the recurring three bows people keep giving Siddhartha.

Siddhartha now has a dream that assures him he is to become the Buddha. He reaches Sujata's house and is given a golden bowl. It flows upstream, so he knows it is his time to reach supreme enlightenment. He makes his way down to the Tree of Knowledge, and creates a seat out of grass. Finally, Siddhartha sits after saying he will not move this spot until he's reached supreme enlightenment.

Mara, the Evil One, sets out with his army to try and destroy Siddhartha. However, no matter what he throws at him under the tree, changes direction and avoids Siddhartha. Not one thing strikes Siddhartha, and when Mara is spoken to by Mother Earth, he knows he has been defeated.

Siddhartha has officially reached enlightenment and is now the Buddha. He has essentially lived numerous lives and undergone numerous rebirths to realize the reason for suffering and evil is due to rebirth. Therefore there must be an end put to rebirth. The gods sing to him, and he officially is the Buddha.

A peaceful statue of the Buddha seated. Picryl

Bibliography: 

The Life of Buddha by A. Ferdinand Herold, tr. by Paul C Blum