Prince Siddhartha Gautama Essay
Siddhartha Gautama’s life experiences led to introducing the world to a new religion. Siddhartha was a Hindu prince who was destined to be the next king. He lived a sheltered life, and did not know what life was like outside of the palace walls. At 16, he got married and had a son. Prince Siddhartha’s life changing experiences led to his moral teaching that started a new religion.
Prince Siddhartha had many life changing experiences. One day, Prince Siddhartha got permission to leave his palace walls. When he left the palace he witnessed many things he had never seen before. He saw an old man, people getting sick, and people dying. He finally saw a holy man who was very peaceful in a world of misery. When Siddhartha returned to the palace he said goodbye to his family and his wealth. He then went into the forest and meditated for six years. After this he became known as the Buddha. These experiences led to a new religion called Buddhism.
Buddhism became based on Prince Siddhartha’s moral teachings. The moral teachings came from the Four Noble Truths. The Four Noble Truths were “Life is full of suffering, desire for worldly things causes suffering, suffering can stop when desire stops,” and “following the Eight Fold Path will stop wrongful desire.” If a person follows the Eight Fold Paths it will lead to the end of suffering. The Eight Fold Paths are “right thought, right intent, right speech, right behavior, right work, right effort, right mindfulness” and right feelings towards one another. The Four Noble Truths and following the Eight Fold Path was the only way a Buddhist could reach the Nirvana.
The moral teachings of the Buddha spread throughout India and Central Asia. The new religion first was spread by monks and nuns who traveled the same path as Buddha. Later when the Mauryan Empire came into power, King Ashoka was a violent man that realized there was too much death. He stopped the warfare and began promoting Buddhism. King Ashoka sent out monks to share the moral teachings in Asia. Buddhism spread quickly because it welcomed all walks of life.
Prince Siddhartha’s life changing experiences led to his moral teachings that started Buddhism. Siddhartha became known as the Buddha after he left his palace and meditated for six years to become enlightened. He began teaching his Four Noble Truths and Eight Fold Paths to his followers. Soon his followers spread Buddhism throughout India and Central Asia. Today, Buddhism is one of the six major world religions.