THE LIFE OF THE BUDDHA

There are two types of belief regarding Lord Shakyamuni Buddha's life .According to Mahayana, many aeons ago, the future Shakyamuni Buddha achieved Great Compassion and resolved before Great Muni (Maha Muni) Buddha to guide all sentient beings to enlightenment. To fulfill this promise, Shakyamuni Buddha brought benefit to sentient beings over many lifetimes. At the age when people's life was 20,000 years, there lived a Buddha called Wo Sung. During that time, Shakyamuni Buddha was a brahmin called Little Master. After the passing away of Little Master, he was born as King Tamba Tok Korpo of Gaden (one of the levels of Heaven) and taught Buddhism to all the Gods of Heaven. When people's life was 100 years, he handed over his throne to Maitreya Boddhisatva and said that he would take birth as a human being on Earth and bring benefit to all sentient beings He manifested himself as rays of light in the shape of white elephant with six tusks and miraculously entered the womb of Mayadevi from her righte flank. * Shakyamuni Buddha offer and respect 228,000 Buddha from Great Muni to Wo Sung (Kansiap Buddha) a. Why did Shakyamuni Buddha descend from Heaven in the form of an elephant? Before Shakyamuni Buddha come to earth, consultations were held with the Goads in Heaven regarding the form Buddha should as a monk or a God. Finally a wise old one among the Gods suggested that Shakyamuni Buddha could also bring benefit to all Hindus if he appeared in the form of a white elephant with six tusks as it is mentioned in Hindu religious texts that a God would descend from Heaven in the form of an elephant in the future and bring benefit to all sentient beings. b. Why did Shakyamuni Buddha come from Heaven in the form of a white elephant? Shakyamuni Buddha come in the form of a white elephant to demonstrate that he was free from all the impurities of ( Samsara ) c.Why did Shakyamuni Buddha come from Heaven in the form of an elephant with six tusks? The six tusks signify that Shakyamuni Buddha would save and bring benefit to the sentient beings of all the six realms. The upper three realms are

(I).Gods (ii). Asura (iii). Humans The lower three realms are: (I). Triyak (Animals) (ii). Pretak (Hungry Ghosts) (iii). Narak (Hell) d. When did Shakyamuni Buddha enter Mayadevi's womb? Shakyamuni Buddha entered Mayadevi's womb 2966 years in the year of the Sheep on a Full Moon Day in the month of Seventh Sahor Month. e. When was Shakyamuni Buddha born? Shakyamuni Buddha was born 2965 years ago in the year of the Monkey on the seventh days of the fourth Sahor Month on Karma Gyal (Puse or Gin Day) in Lumbini. Shakyamuni Buddha was in her mother's womb for ten lunar months. (1) When Mayadevi rested her right hand against the branch of a Plakshya tree, Shakyamuni Buddha was born through the right flank like rays of light without any pain to his mother. When Shakyamuni Buddha was born, his body was already covered with clothes. After Buddha was born, he uttered that he was supreme in the World. Buddha then took seven steps in each of the four directions, and in each step a beautiful lotus flower blossomed amazingly. On the same day, all the wishes of Buddha's father, the King of Sergetong come true, so Buddha was named (Siddhartha) (2) As a prince, Siddartha was taught reading, writing, horse riding, painting, archery, etc. prince Siddartha proved to be a fast learner and he quickly acquired more knowledge than his teachers in every field. He studied together with 10,000 other students. He said to his techers that there were 64 types of writings and asked them which one he should study. The teachers were surprised to hear this. (3) As per his father's wish, Prince Siddartha was surrounded by all the luxuries of life in the palace and had relations with sixty girls. (4) At the age of 29, Prince Siddartha witnessed different types of sufferings when he went outside the palace through its four gates. As he left the palace through the first gate, he saw a fragile old man. Seeing the suffering of the old man, he asked the charioteer what had happened to the man. The charioteer replied that the man had grown old and explained that everyone become old. The prince was sad to hear this and to find out that one day he too would become old and suffer. Another day, he went outside the palace through the second gate. He saw a severely ill man and asked the charioteer what had happened. The charioteer explained that the person had become sick and that any person can become sick. The prince was unhappy to hear this and to know that someday he too would be sick and go through the same suffering. When Siddhartha left the palace through the third gate, he saw a group of people carrying a corpse. The prince was devastated to learn from the charioteer that every person who was born into this world would eventually suffer and die. One day when he left the palace through the fourth gate, he saw a calm and peaceful monk. The charioteer said that the ascetic had given up all worldly pleasures in search of enlightenment. Prince Siddhartha decided to follow the path of the monk to find a solution to all sufferings.

Prince Siddhartha expressed his wish to become a monk to his father King Se Chang Se. The King said that he would not allow Siddhartha to be monk. Siddhartha explained to his father that if there were no sufferings such as old age, sickness and death, he would have continued to live a life of luxury but sine he realized that the world is full of sufferings, he decided to abandon his palace and family, and become a monk to find a solution to all the sufferings of the world. * Father's name is Sutothan( Tibetan's name is Se Chang Se ) King Se Chang Se ordered his entire army to guard all around the palace to prevent Prince Siddhartha from leaving. King Se Chang Se told the prince that he would provide him with anything he wanted but asked him not to talk about becoming a monk.Prince Siddhartha asked his father to make him immortal. When the King said that it was not possible for him to make Siddhartha immortal,Siddhartha explained to the King that he wanted to become a monk to achieve immortaiity. The King give his consent only from his mouth but not from his heart. (5) At midnight, Prince Siddhartha asked his charioteer to fetch the chariot. When Prince Siddhartha sat in the chariot, four Gods descended from the sky and carried the chariot to near Buddha Gaya (Nam Tak Tung) (There is a stupa of Wo Sung Buddha at Nam Tak Tung). Siddhartha cut his hair himself and became a monk. He took off his clothes and put on the dress of a monk. He sent the chariot and the charioteer back to the palace and sent a message to the King not worry about him. The King was worried that since Siddhartha may have to face difficulties as he had been used to the comfortable life in the palace. The King therefore sent five people to accompany and look after Siddhartha. (6) Siddhartha approached the learned religious masters and asked them about the path to achieve enlightenment. Siddhartha and the five ascetics meditated near the Niranjana River For six years. Siddhartha and the five people ate nothing but one ______(Til) seed a day for the first two years, one _______(Gyashuk du chik) seed a day for the next two years, one rice seed a days for the next one year. In the sixth year, they meditated without eating anything at all. As Siddhartha was meditating with such austerity, there was no flesh in his body and the shepherds who come around were not able to differentiate between his body and the tree. Siddhartha realized that a normal person would not be able to meditate with such austerity and that such a method not lead to enlightenment Siddhartha stood up and washed his body. A local woman offered a plate of milk rice to Siddhartha. After having the milk rice, Siddhartha gained strength in his body. Siddhartha's five companions said that Siddhartha had broken his promise and they went to Varanasi. (7) Siddhartha went to a Bodhi Tree (Buddha Gaya).

(8) Siddhartha started meditating in the evening of the Full Moon Day in Baisakh. Siddhartha resolved to meditate and stay still in the same position until he attained enlightenment. Ghosts and Demons from Heaven (Mara) tried in many ways to disrupt Siddhartha's meditation but were not successful. Siddhartha destroyed all the ghosts and demons with his power of compassion (Maitri) (9) Siddhartha attained enlightenment and became Buddha early that morning. When Siddhartha became Buddha, the earth shook. Light radiated from Buddha's body and reached all the Goods. The Gods showered flowers at Buddha and showed their respects.

(10) After seven weeks, at the request of Brahma and Vishnu, Buddha gave teaching to eighty Gods and the five ascetics (who had earlier meditated with Siddhartha near Niranjana River ).In the years that followed, Buddha gave teachings on Mahayana,Vajrayana and Hinayana in many places. Until the age of 80 years (82 according to Vajrayana), Shakyamuni Buddha spent his life giving teachings and bringing benefits to all sentient being. Tens of millions became Arhat,Boddhisatva or Buddha by walking on the path shown by Shakyamuni Buddha. (11) I).Shakyamuni Buddha went to Heaven to give teachings to his mother Maya Devi and other Gods in Heaven for three months. Lay people on Earth were confused and thought that Buddha might have died. On the 22 day of the ninth Sahor month, Buddha descended down the miraculous staircases made by the Gods of Heaven to a place called Ngyen Yu in the presence of thousands of followers. II).The six main religious leaders at the time had repeatedly challenged Shakyamuni Buddha to demonstrate his powers against theirs, as he wandered from place to place giving teachings on the Dharma. Finally one a day,which is now celebrated as Losar, Buddha demonstrated his miraculous powers. Buddha Planted a toothpick on the ground, from which an enormous tree sprung up. Buddha appeared in all the leaves of the gigantic tree. The six opponents were completely defeated by Buddha's miracles. Their followers adopted Buddha's doctrines. The people watching this extraordinary scene were filled with respect and faith, and thus millions became Arhats, Boddhisatvas or Buddha depending on their spiritual development. * at the place called Jeta Garden (12 ) At the age of 80 years (or 82 according to Vajrayana), Shakyamuni Buddha passed away at Kushinagar. One of Buddha's students called Upasag Kashap offered him a bowl of food and asked Buddha why he had decided to pass away so early since he possessed the power to live for millions of years. Shakyamuni Buddha explained that his Dharmakaya form does not change. By passing away, he would be changing his Nirmakaya form to demonstrate and remind people of the world's impermanence so as to encourage people to follow the path of religion and enlightenment. The following is a mantra of Buddha. Reciting and repeating the mantra with faith and trust quickly purifies the body,speech and mind of its negative karma. * with underline is a place's name Shakyamuni Buddha MantraLong-Fom: Om Tad Ya Tha Muni Muni Maha Muni Shakya Munaye Swaha Short-Fom: Om Muni Muni Maha Munaye Swaha Shakyamuni & Arahat MantraOm Muni Muni Maha Muni Sarba Sanga Puraka Swaha It is important to have these empowerment as we vow, Offering and prostration, chanting the mantra one time means thousand 'Kalpa' (Million years) negative and bad karma will be purify, even those who hear Buddha's name will be also purify.

Written By: Ven. Khenpo Sange Rangjung Rinpoche

Meditation On Buddha Shakyamuni

Prepare for this meditation by doing a few minutes of breathing meditation (focus your attention on your breath) to calm your mind. Then bring your attention to the suffering that all sentient beings undergo: the sufferings of heat and cold, hunger and thirst. Just as you experience many sufferings, remember that all mother sentient beings experience suffering at least equal to--if not greater than--your own. Determine to undertake this practice in order to awaken your own buddha-nature, quickly attain enlightenment and lead all other sentient beings to that same state of permanent, lasting happiness.

Visualization
The visualization of Lord Buddha is composed entirely of light, not mundane materials. In the space before you, at the level of your forehead, imagine a jewel-encrusted, golden throne. Each corner is supported by two snow lions with white bodies and turquoise manes and tails; these are the embodiment of bodhisattvas. On the flat surface of the throne is a fully opened lotus; this is symbolic of the awakened mind, arising from the mire of samsara. On the petals of the lotus are the flat disks of the sun and moon which serve as cushions for the Buddha, representing the Buddha's realizations of emptiness and bodhicitta. On the moon disk sits Buddha Shakyamuni. Buddha's body is made of golden light. He is seated in the "full vajra" or lotus posture. He is dressed in the robes of a monk which do not actually touch his body, but are separated from it by about an inch. His face is very serene and beautiful; each hair on his head is individually curled to the right, not mingling with or touching others; his ear lobes are long; and his eyes are slightly opened. His left hand rests in his lap in the meditation pose, holding a begging bowl, filled with nectar. The palm of his right hand rests on his right knee and his fingers touch the moon disk upon which he sits; this symbolizes his great control over anger, attachment and ignorance

Taking Refuge

From your heart, recite the refuge prayer and visualize that streams of golden-white light radiate from the Buddha's body in all directions, blessing you and all sentient beings. You may also visualize texts of Dharma teachings on thrones near the Buddha which emanate with the sounds of the teachings contained in them. Imagine teachers you have read or heard seated on similar thrones around the Buddha. Imagine also that you are surrounded in space by all sentient beings in human form; your father and male friends and relatives are seated on your right; your mother and female friends and relatives are seated on your left; those you don't know and call "strangers" reach out to the vastness of space; those you call "enemies" are seated between you and the Merit Field of the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, symbolic of anger in our mindstreams that separates us from feeling lovingkindness toward all beings and hinders our advancement to full buddhahood. Imagine that you lead all these sentient beings in reciting the refuge prayer three times: I take refuge until I am enlightened In the Buddhas, the Dharma and the Sangha. Through the positive potential I create by practicing generosity and the other far-reaching attitudes, May I attain buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings

Requests and Inspiration

From your heart, generate the request to the Buddha that he grant you inspiration to follow the path to full enlightenment; make this request on behalf of all living beings who are trapped in samsara. Rays of light stream from the figure of the Buddha before you. This light enters your body and quickly removes all negativities, obscurations and hindrances, freeing you to progress quickly on the path. Imagine that this light flows not only to you, but to all living beings situated in space around you. Imagine that they all receive such inspiration and blessings as you recite the name mantra of Shakyamuni Buddha as many times as possible. tayata om muni muni maha munaye soha

The Blessing of Body, Speech and Mind

Imagine that rays of light stream from the crown of Buddha's head to your crown; this light purifies the negatities of your body and removes the hindrances to attaining the enlightened body of a Buddha. tayata om muni muni maha munaye soha Rays of light then stream from the Buddha's throat to yours, pufifying the negativities of your speech and removing hindrances to attaining the enlightened speech that communicates clearly to all sentient beings, regardless of their level or capacity. tayata om muni muni maha munaye soha Finally, rays of light emanate from the Buddha's heart and enter your own heart center. This light purifies the negativities of your mind and remove hindrances to the awakened, omniscient mind. tayata om muni muni maha munaye soha

Imagine that these light rays flow to all sentient beings, helping them to quickly reach a state of supreme awareness. Maintain this visualization for as long as you can, reciting the mantra quietly to yourself or aloud and imagine that the light continues to stream from the Buddha to you and all sentient beings. Imagine that nectar accompanies the light and nourishes you completely, such is the nature of the Dharma.

Absorption
Imagine that the teachers and their thrones dissolve into light and are absorbed into the Buddha's body. Next, imagine that the texts and their thrones dissolve similarly and absorb into the Buddha. Imagine now that the throne is absorbed into the lotus, the lotus into the sun, the sun into the moon and the moon into the body of the Buddha. Buddha now comes to the crown of your head, facing the same direction as you, dissolves into brilliant, white light and dissolves into your body through the crown of your head, filling your body once again with this brilliant light. Feel great bliss and joy as your body, speech and mind are completely transformed. Hold this feeling for as long as you can, experiencing the removal of all hindrances and obstructions to omniscience. From this state, imagine in the space where you are sitting, arising from emptiness are the snow lions, the throne, lotus, sun and moon disks and yourself seated upon them in the same aspect as you visualized the Buddha before. Visualize and really feel that you have attained the state of omniscience; feel the enlightened compassion and wisdom of buddhahood. At your heart appear sun and moon disks. At the center of the moon disk, standing upright, is the syllable MUM. Surrounding this are the syllables of Shakyamuni Buddha's name mantra: tayata om muni muni maha munaye soha. Streams of light flow from the MUM and mantra at your heart center to all sentient beings, completely removing their hindrances, obstructions, wrong views, delusions and traces of ignorance and thereby transforming them into the form of the Buddha as well. Meditate in this way for as long as possible, reciting the mantra quietly to yourself. This portion of the meditation is called "bringing the result into the path." It is a very powerful method for transforming our normal view of and how we behave in the world. The result of our practiceis to attain full enlightenment; this activity of bringing the result of buddhahood to our present state is a powerful, transformative tool. You should not imagine that your body, speech or mind are the same; they have arisen from emptiness and manifested in the form of a buddha. This activity enables you to transform yourself and surroundings into vehicles that lead to full, perfect enlightenment.

Dedication
When you have completed this meditation, dedicate the positive potential of this practice to the benefit of all living beings, that they may be liberated from the hardships of cyclic existence and placed in a state of perfect peace and happiness. Remind yourself that your initial motivation for doing this meditation is to actually attain such a state as the means to be able to lead all other sentient beings to full enlightenment.

In your daily routine, bring to mind the feeling and attitude that you felt when you were just imagining the state of buddhahood. When your activities become particularly stressful, remember that such a state comes about by grasping after your "I" or some sort of nonexistent self, by putting the interests of this "self" before all other mother sentient beings. Simply remembering a peaceful, blissful state--filled with love and compassion--is often enough to relieve a stressful situation; such times can be transformed into happiness by such a rememberance. At other times, when you want to eradicate all traces of a disturbing attitude, simply reciting the Buddha's mantra om muni muni maha munaye soha is often enough inspiration to transform that state into one of peace and happiness. Reminding yourself that you are a "Child of the Buddha" and wishing to attain happiness for yourself and others helps to gradually remove such states of mind completely. When you do so, remember to dedicate the merit or positive potential to all beings, that they might do the same. sursa