Siddhartha Gautama Research Paper
Siddhartha Gautama
Though the term “Buddha” is often used to describe one who has reached Enlightenment, it is more often used to describe the historical founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama. While his teachings have been extensively studied and are known all over the world, little is still known about the teacher. “Accurately reconstructing the precise details of the Buddha’s life and teaching has proven difficult. The first biographies of his life did not appear until centuries after his death, and it is often impossible to ascertain exactly where the biographies reconstruct the Buddha’s life according to ideal patterns as opposed to historical realities” (Williams, Buddha). What we do know though allows us to concluded that Siddhartha lived an extraordinary life, and has helped shaped the way we all view life and religion.
Siddhartha was an Indian prince, and was said to have lived circa 560–480 BCE, while more-recent …show more content…
He set out to Kusinagara, where there was a vihara. Here his followers all came, for they too knew he was dying. He preached here for his longest and final time, and then laid on a couch, facing North, and passed away. This day is now known as Parinirvana Day, the day when Siddhartha reached Parinirvana, the state when the body of Buddha ceases to live, and the spirit is freed from the cycle of birth and rebirth (Fundamental Buddhism). Siddhartha’s life was complete.
Works Cited
Williams, Joseph."Buddha." International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 2 Jan. 2012 .
Williams, Joseph. "Buddhism." International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 2 Jan. 2012 .
Keown, Damien. "Date of the Buddha." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 2 Jan. 2012 < http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-dateoftheBuddha.html >.
"Buddha | Siddhartha Gautama." Fundamental Buddhism | Buddhist Teachings. Web. 02 Jan. 2012.
Though the term “Buddha” is often used to describe one who has reached Enlightenment, it is more often used to describe the historical founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama. While his teachings have been extensively studied and are known all over the world, little is still known about the teacher. “Accurately reconstructing the precise details of the Buddha’s life and teaching has proven difficult. The first biographies of his life did not appear until centuries after his death, and it is often impossible to ascertain exactly where the biographies reconstruct the Buddha’s life according to ideal patterns as opposed to historical realities” (Williams, Buddha). What we do know though allows us to concluded that Siddhartha lived an extraordinary life, and has helped shaped the way we all view life and religion.
Siddhartha was an Indian prince, and was said to have lived circa 560–480 BCE, while more-recent …show more content…
He set out to Kusinagara, where there was a vihara. Here his followers all came, for they too knew he was dying. He preached here for his longest and final time, and then laid on a couch, facing North, and passed away. This day is now known as Parinirvana Day, the day when Siddhartha reached Parinirvana, the state when the body of Buddha ceases to live, and the spirit is freed from the cycle of birth and rebirth (Fundamental Buddhism). Siddhartha’s life was complete.
Works Cited
Williams, Joseph."Buddha." International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 2 Jan. 2012 .
Williams, Joseph. "Buddhism." International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 2 Jan. 2012 .
Keown, Damien. "Date of the Buddha." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 2 Jan. 2012 < http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-dateoftheBuddha.html >.
"Buddha | Siddhartha Gautama." Fundamental Buddhism | Buddhist Teachings. Web. 02 Jan. 2012.