Story of Buddha Rina Takabayashi

When you first learn about Buddhism, you might wonder “Who is Buddha, and what makes him so special that he gets an entire religion about him?” I’m here to answer those questions.

Who is buddha? Long ago in now Nepal, Queen Maya had given birth to a boy named Siddhartha Gautama in Lumbini Garden, then died eight days later. But wait, I want to know about Buddha, not this Siddhartha person! Actually, Siddhartha would not be what we now know as Buddha until he was 29.

Siddartha was a prince, and was kept inside the castle to protect him from suffering. One day, he rode outside and discovered death, old age, sickness, and monks.

Siddhartha married Yasodhara and had a child named Rahula. Deciding that the prince life was not for him, he left all of his royal money and fanciness to be an ascetic. He ate very little for several years, but thought that this was not the way.

He meditated under the Bodhi Tree, and became Buddha, the “Enlightened One”.

He wanted to share his knowledge with others, but didn’t know how. Compassion and kindness made Buddha speak to his five friends the Noble Truth. He learned that he shouldn’t teach others about enlightenment, he should show the path to becoming enlightened.

Buddha traveled to share the teachings, and he gained many followers and disciples.

Buddha kept on teaching until his death at the age of 80. Surrounded by monks, he told then that change was inevitable, and to always strive for the Truth.