Siddhartha :: essays research papers

The Buddhist religion originated from a man named Siddhartha Gautama who founded the religion in the teenage 6th century B.C. The Buddhist religion is very different from horse opera religions which intrust in an actual religious figure. The religious beliefs of Buddhists are base on the actual teachings of Siddhartha Gautama. Commonly known as The Buddha, he emphasise self-awareness. Much like Hinduism, both of these religions seek enlightenment and attempt to hap nirvana by breaking the samsara cycle of manner. As in some Indian re1igions, both believe in concepts such as karma, renascence and raja yoga (deep meditation). The most significant difference between the two religions is that the Buddhists believe in the Middle Path to enlightenment. The Middle Path is considered the medium between the extreme practices of the Hindus and the common village practices. Siddhartha decided to seek enlightenment afterward viewing four disturbing sights. Siddhartha grew up living a n extravagant life of a young prince and was raised in luxury to be saved from harsh realities of life. His father was the ruler of the Sakya people. It is state that Siddharthas father had summ championd fortune retellers to tell of his sons destiny. The fortunetellers had two very different predictions for the ruler they stated that his son was bandaged for greatness and could reach this greatness two different ways. One forecasting stated that if kept sheltered from the world, he would manufacture the Universal baron and unify India by being the greatest conqueror. The other prophecy said that if he were exposed to the world, then he would emerge as a great religious leader and redeem the world. Scared that his son would become a monk Siddharthas father decided to create a world where his son would never experience the world completely and shield him from all kinds of suffering and hardship. He hired only beautiful young people to work in the castle and when Siddhartha woul d go outside the palace riding he would have the streets clear prior of any sickness, dying and of all elderly people. According to legend, Siddhartha married a young misfire named Yasodhara, at the age of sixteen, and they had a child. One day, Siddhartha ventured outside of the palace where he encountered an old man that was overlooked. Curious, Siddhartha questioned the old man and realized that no one can escape the fact that people age. The second day he saw a man who was terribly ill and he wise to(p) of illnesses.