Buddhism is one of the world’s most influential religions, with millions of followers. The story of how Buddha became a monk is central to understanding his teachings and the path he followed to enlightenment. This article will explain how Siddhartha Gautama, who later became the Buddha, made the decision to leave his royal life behind and seek a path of spiritual awakening. We will explore his journey, the challenges he faced, and how he ultimately became a monk.
Early Life of Siddhartha Gautama
Siddhartha Gautama was born in Lumbini, a small town in present-day Nepal, around the 6th century BCE. He was born into the Shakya clan, a royal family. His father, King Suddhodana, ruled the region, and his mother, Queen Maya, died shortly after his birth. Siddhartha was raised in luxury, sheltered from the harsh realities of life outside the palace.
The king, wanting to protect Siddhartha from suffering, kept him confined within the palace. He was provided with every luxury, including fine clothing, food, and entertainment. Siddhartha married a beautiful princess, Yasodhara, and they had a son named Rahula. Despite the comfort and pleasures around him, Siddhartha’s mind began to wander, and he became increasingly curious about the world beyond the palace.
The Four Sights
When Siddhartha was in his late twenties, he decided to leave the palace one day and travel into the outside world. This decision was a turning point in his life. During his journey, he encountered four sights that deeply affected him and ultimately led him to seek a deeper understanding of life.
1. An Old Man
Siddhartha saw an elderly man, frail and weak, showing the inevitable nature of aging.
2. A Sick Man
He witnessed a person suffering from illness, which revealed the reality of sickness.
3. A Dead Body
Siddhartha saw a corpse being carried to a cremation site, reminding him of the certainty of death.
4. A Holy Man (Ascetic)
Finally, he saw a wandering monk who had renounced the material world and was seeking peace through meditation and self-discipline.
These sights left a deep impression on Siddhartha. He realized that old age, sickness, and death were unavoidable parts of life. The ascetic, however, seemed calm and content despite the suffering of the world. Siddhartha felt inspired by this man’s peacefulness and believed that there must be a way to overcome suffering.
The Decision to Leave His Life Behind
The more Siddhartha thought about the suffering in the world, the more he realized that his luxurious life in the palace was not the answer to the pain and confusion he had witnessed. He wanted to find a solution to the problem of suffering.
At the age of 29, Siddhartha made the difficult decision to leave his family and royal life behind. This decision was not taken lightly. He loved his wife, Yasodhara, and his son, Rahula, but he felt that he had to search for the truth. In the middle of the night, he quietly left the palace, leaving behind his life of luxury. This event is known as The Great Renunciation.
Siddhartha cut off his hair, exchanged his royal clothes for the simple robes of a wandering ascetic, and began his journey in search of spiritual enlightenment. He became a monk, dedicating himself to a life of austerity and meditation.
The Path of Asceticism
For several years, Siddhartha practiced extreme asceticism, believing that harsh self-discipline would lead him to enlightenment. He sought out several renowned teachers who guided him in various forms of meditation and self-mortification. During this time, he practiced severe fasting, limiting his food intake to the barest minimum, and subjected himself to physical discomfort in the belief that it would help him overcome his desires and reach a higher state of consciousness.
However, after a period of intense asceticism, Siddhartha realized that this extreme path was not leading him to the peace and understanding he sought. He became weak and emaciated, and yet he found no lasting peace. He understood that neither indulgence in worldly pleasures nor extreme self-denial would lead to true enlightenment. He needed a middle path, one that balanced physical comfort with spiritual discipline.
The Middle Path and the Awakening
One day, while resting by the river, Siddhartha accepted a bowl of rice and milk from a young woman named Sujata. This simple meal nourished him and restored his strength. Realizing that extreme asceticism was not the way, Siddhartha abandoned his harsh practices and began to follow a more balanced approach to meditation and mindfulness.
Siddhartha sat under a Bodhi tree (the tree of awakening) in Bodh Gaya, India, and vowed not to rise until he had found the truth. He entered deep meditation, facing various temptations and challenges, including distractions from Mara, the demon of illusion and desire. But Siddhartha remained focused, determined to understand the nature of suffering and the path to liberation.
After many days of intense meditation, Siddhartha reached a profound realization. He understood the nature of suffering, the causes of suffering, and how to overcome it. This moment of enlightenment, or Bodhi, marked his transformation into the Buddha, the “Awakened One.”
Buddha’s Teachings
After attaining enlightenment, the Buddha began to teach others what he had discovered. His teachings, known as the Dhamma (or Dharma), focused on the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path:
1. The Four Noble Truths:
Life involves suffering (dukkha).
Suffering is caused by attachment and desire (tanha).
Suffering can be overcome by letting go of attachment and desire.
The path to the cessation of suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path.
2. The Noble Eightfold Path:
Right Understanding
Right Intentions
Right Speech
Right Action
Right Livelihood
Right Effort
Right Mindfulness
Right Concentration
The Buddha traveled across India, sharing his insights with anyone willing to listen. His teachings resonated with many, and he gained a following of devoted monks and lay followers. The Buddha emphasized that anyone, regardless of their background or status, could follow the path to enlightenment.
The Sangha: The Buddhist Monastic Community
As Buddha’s teachings spread, a monastic community known as the Sangha began to form. The Sangha was made up of monks and nuns who followed the Buddha’s path of renunciation, meditation, and ethical conduct. They lived simple lives, dedicating themselves to spiritual practice and the study of the Buddha’s teachings.
The Sangha played a crucial role in preserving and spreading the teachings of the Buddha, and it continues to be an essential part of Buddhist practice today.
Conclusion
Siddhartha Gautama’s journey from a prince to a monk is a profound story of personal transformation. By leaving behind his royal life and embracing the life of an ascetic, Siddhartha sought the truth about the nature of suffering and how to overcome it. His realization of the Middle Path and subsequent enlightenment became the foundation of Buddhism.
Through his teachings, the Buddha showed that anyone could attain peace and liberation by following the Noble Eightfold Path. His path from luxury to renunciation, and ultimately to awakening, remains an inspiration to millions of Buddhists around the world.
