Buddha's Early Life

"Buddha was born in this land of Bharat." Sai Baba, SS, 7/99, p. 169

 

"After a long period (king) Suddhodhana had a son, named Siddhartha. The king kept Siddhartha entirely within the palace so that the boy should have no knowledge of the sufferings in the world outside. Once Suddhodhana introduced his son to a high-souled pundit who had come to the palace. The pundit was an oracle. He told the king, "Suddhodhana! This lad will become a renunciant. Moreover, he will become a great teacher of wisdom to the people.' Suddhodhana was alarmed on hearing this. Apprehending that the prince might develop 'Vairagya' (total detachment) if he went out, he kept the prince from going out. The king got him married when he reached his eighteenth year and crowned him Heir-Apparent." Sai Baba, SS, 11/96, p. 291

"Suddhodhana got his son married to Yashodhara, daughter of his brother-in-law, suddabudha. He apprehended that his son may be recluse and turn away from the world if he was left to himself." Sai Baba, SS, 6/97, p. 147

"After his coronation as Yuvaraja (crown prince), Siddhartha desired to go round the kingdom. There was no meaning for a ruler confining himself to his palace. He should know how the people lived. Hence, he wanted to go round the country. Despite his apprehensions, the king agreed to the prince's request because he was now married and was unlikely to break away.

Siddhartha got into the chariot and set out on a tour of the capital. He saw an old woman, bent with age, trudging on the road with a stick. He asked the charioteer: 'Who is a strange creature moving on the road.' 'Lord! When one grows old, the back is bent and one becomes infirm. This is an old woman.' The prince asked: 'Does this happen to everyone as a result of old age?' He replied, 'It is inescapable. It is the law of nature.'

The charioteer went further. A sick man was sitting under a tree, coughing and wailing. The prince asked what the matter was with the man under the tree. The charioteer replied: 'The human body is subject to a variety of ailments. That man is suffering from a severe ailment. No one can tell when anyone may be afflicted with a disease.' The prince took note of it.

The charioteer proceeded further. A dead body was being carried by four persons on p bier. The prince asked what is that the four men were carrying. He replied: 'It is a dead body.' 'What is a dead body?' asked the prince. The charioteer replied: 'A dead body is without life.' 'What about us?' asked the prince. 'We are Shivam (alive). The prince asked: 'Yes. Death is unavoidable, sometime or other.' This prince heard this. He dropped the sword in his hand and returned to the palace.

He did not eat that night. He went to bed, but could not sleep. By his side, his wife Yashodhara and his young son were sleeping. He looked at them intensely. The thought flashed in his mind: 'Sarvam dukham' (All is sorrow). Then he declared: 'Sarvam Bhayam, Bhayam, Bhayam' (All is filled with fear). Next, he declared: 'Sarvam anityam, anityam, anityam' (Everything is transient, transient, transient). Then, he declared: 'Sarvam Shoonyam, shoonyam, shoonyam (All is emptiness). Making these declarations, he left the palace." Sai Baba, SS, 11/96, pp. 291 & 292

"Buddha felt that nothing was truly lasting. Parents were subjecting their children to various kinds of bonds and making their lives miserable. As soon as the children come of age, the parents are keen to get them married. They do not know what kind of happiness he can get from married life. What happiness have they derived from their own married life - physically, mentally or otherwise? No person, however intelligent, thinks about this matter. Even eminent scholars do not care to examine whether it is worthwhile pursuing sensuous pleasures instead of seeking what is beyond the senses. Buddha felt intensely unhappy that his parents and others combined to commit him to the bondage of married life. One day, at night, Buddha left the palace, giving up his wife and young son, Rahul.

He abandoned everything out of the conviction: 'There is no mother or father, no kinsman or friend, no home or wealth. Awaken yourself.' He resolved to find out something, which transcends all worldly relationships and pleasures.

Buddha asked himself: 'What is this life? Birth is misery. Old age is misery. Wife is a cause of sorrow. There is misery at the end of life. Therefore, be alert and awake.' Happiness is not to be found in any of the things of the world. Everything is fleeting. Man is wasting his life in the pursuit of petty ephemeral pleasures. Nirvana is the only truth.

At the age of 28, he gave up everything and turned renunciant." Sai Baba, SS, 6/97, p. 147

Buddha's Self Realisation

"He undertook penance for several years, met many noble souls, listened to spiritual discourses and studied various scriptures. But he was not satisfied." Sai Baba, SS, 7/99, p. 170

"Buddha did penance for six long years. One day he opened his eyes and said that he had caught hold of the thief. Who is this thief? It is the mind. He realised that mind was the root cause of all sufferings. If you control your mind, you will never suffer." Sai Baba. SS, 11/98, p. 287

"The primary duty of man lies not in protecting his wealth and valuables, but in conserving the five elements and protecting the five senses from evil effects. The same message was propagated by Gautama Buddha also. In the beginning, he studied many scriptures, approached many preceptors and undertook various types of spiritual exercises. But, his thirst was not quenched. Ultimately, he realised that proper utilization of the senses would alone confer peace. First and foremost, he stressed on the importance of Samyak Drishti (right vision). All that you see, be it good or bad, gets imprinted in your heart forever. So, see no evil; see what is good. Hear no evil; hear what is good. This is what is called Samyak Shravanam (right listening). Samyak Drishti and Samyak Shravanam will lead to Samyak Bhaavam (right feelings). Your life will be sanctified once you cultivate Samyak Bhaavam. Human life is based on feelings." Sai Baba, SS, 8/99, p. 214

"It is a mark of ignorance to expect that some other person will give you happiness. Buddha felt sad that people should be subjected to such ignorance. He practised many spiritual exercises and came to a certain decision. He decided to go to Gaya and experience bliss by his own ways. He found the source of bliss within himself. He realised it could not be got from outside. Every man's heart is the dwelling place of God. Hence, everyone should take care of it and cultivate it as the source of divine bliss." Sai Baba, SS, 6/98, p. 151

"For 26 years, Buddha sought the realisation of the Self by studying scriptures, meeting sages and saints and listening to their teachings. He found that by these means he could not experience reality. He realised that the knowledge of the Self has to be gained through an inward search. He stopped the outward quest and gradually experienced knowledge of the Self from within. He then declared:

Budham Sharanam Gachchami

Sangham Sharanam Gachchami

Dharmam Sharanam Gachchami"

Through his enlightenment, he discovered the importance of Dharma and wanted to make it the basis of society. Buddha realised that self-realisation cannot be attained through penance or austerities." Sai Baba, SS, 6/98, p. 149

"Buddha relied entirely on his inner quest to experience his reality as he found that scriptural texts and precepts were of no use." Sai Baba, SS, 6/98, p. 150

Meaning Of

"Buddam Sharanam Gachhami,

Dharmam Sharnam Gachhami,

Sangham Sharanam Gachhami"

"It means Buddhi (intellect) should follow the path of Dharma. Dharma should be fostered in the society (Sangham). Only then country will prosper. This is also the inner meaning of the word SAI. 'S' denotes 'spiritual change'. 'A' denotes 'association' (social) change. 'I' denotes 'individual change'. Man's mind will become pure and sacred only when these three changes take place." Sai Baba, SS, 7/99. p. 170

 

The first of these maxims tells you to purify your Buddhi (intellect) by good company. Secondly, you should use your intellect in the service of the society. This will lead you to righteous path." Sai Baba, SS, 6/2000, p. 179

"Let the Buddhist prayer be your guide. First, take refuge in your intellect ('Buddham Sharanam Gachchaami'). Divert that intellect to the service of the society ('Sangham Sharanam Gachchaami'). Then you will find refuge in Bliss ('Anandam Sharanam Gachchaami'). Sai Baba, SS, 12/96, p. 313

 

NEXT PAGE