Buddha's life part 1

Mahapajapati

stepmother of Buddha, raised Buddha, became the first nun ordained by the Buddha

Sakyamuni Buddha

regarded as having achieved enlightenment through his own afforts and decided to teach (and help others reach enlightenment)

Pratyekabuddhas

achieve enlightenment but do not engage in teaching

Arhats

“Worthy Ones” become enlightened based on the guidance of a Buddha

Sravakas

“Listeners”, become enlightened based on the guidance of a Buddha

Lumbini

location where Buddha was born

Kapilavastu

location where Buddha lived in the Palace

Bodh Gaya

location where Buddha reached enlightenment

Varanasi

location where Buddha gave his first sermon

Kusinagara

location where Buddha died

Four Encounters

old age

sickness

death

ascetics

Jataka

term for Buddha’s previous lives

various compilations in Pali

paranirvana

death of a Buddha (cutting off the circle of birth and death)

Maitreya

the future Buddha

Mahavadana sutra

Discourse on the Great Legend

early Buddha biography on Cuddha Vipasyn

Buddhacarita

Acts of the Buddha

Complete life story

Lalitavistara

Playing out the Game

Partial life description (until first sermons)

Mahavastu

The Great Story

incomplete life story Buddha

Kalpa

universe cycle

sutra’s

surmons by the Buddha (but created after the life of the Buddha so authenticity is questioned)

all follow the same pattern

32 features of a great man

• thousand-spoked wheel sign on feet

• body hair graceful and curly

• ten-foot aura around him

• body erect and upright

• white urna curl that emits light between eyebrows

• fleshly protuberance on the crown of head

• …

bodhisattva

Bhudda previous life who practices virtues in order to gain merit

dana

most central virtue

“giving/ generousity”

ones life or body OF material donations

vessantara jataka

most popular jataka (esp in S en SE Asia)

illustrates the ulitmate “gift” (giving away one’s family)

Sibi jataka

giving one’s flesh/ life in order to save another sentient being