The Buddha

Paper Summary:

The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze the life story of Buddha. Specifically it discusses Buddha's life and how he attained the ultimate enlightenment. It looks at how Siddhartha Gautama is considered to be the Supreme Buddha (often called simply "the Buddha," or Buddha Shakyamuni) who created the Buddhist religion and how his life story is an interesting blend of wealth and privilege combined with great compassion and religious awareness. It discusses how he threw away all the rich trappings of his life to attain enlightenment and serve others and how his life shows the power of belief and spiritualism.

From the Paper:

"Buddha was born a prince to parents who were king and queen of Lumbini, which is located today in Nepal. One biographer notes, "The Buddha was born the son of a king, and so grew up with wealth, pleasure, and the prospect of power, all goods commonly desired by human beings" (Carrithers 2). It seemed the Buddha had everything he could possibly desire, but he still was not content. Even after his parents arranged a marriage for him, he felt as if there was something missing from his life. He married and even had a son, but still he wanted to do more than rule his kingdom and raise a family. Because he saw suffering in his father's kingdom and wanted to do something about it, he decided to leave his home and seek enlightenment and understanding so he could help end the suffering of the people of the world. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• "Buddha Leaves Spiritual Connection; Five Symbols Represent His Love, Teaching." The Washington Times 6 Nov. 2006: A02.
• Carrithers, Michael. The Buddha: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 2001.
• Editors. "About Buddha." AboutBuddha.org. 2007. 27 April 2007.<http://www.aboutbuddha.org/english/life-of-buddha-4.htm>
• Griffiths, Paul J. On Being Buddha : The Classical Doctrine of Buddhahood . Albany, NY: State University of New York Press, 1994.
• Hallisey, Charles. "Buddha in His Time and Ours." World and I Oct. 1999: 294.

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