People

1. Who are the main figures associated with the foundation of the faith?

2. What stories are associated with these people?

3. In what ways do these figures represent paradigms for human behaviour?

4. In what ways do these figures represent spiritualA word with many religious connotations, often used to describe a multiplicity of phenomena that would include inner, reflective or emotional experiences, and those aspects of life that give it meaning and depth or which are profoundly moving or aesthetic. and moral values?

5. In what ways do these figures represent a means by which people can live in contemporary society?

6. How do these figures use faith to provide meaning for their lives?

7. How do people of faith explain the source of inspirationReferring to the power of God to breathe life into works?

The most important person associated with the foundation of Buddhism is the BuddhaAn Enlightened being who discovers and teachers the Dhamma; the historical person, Siddhartha Gotama who discovered and taught the Dhmrma in the 5th Century BCE - Siddattha Gotama(Pali) family name of the historical Buddha (or SiddharthaThe birth name of the historical Buddha. The name is made up of two Sanskrit words, siddha (gotten) and artha (meaning) i.e. one who has found meaning Gautama(Sanskrit) family name of the historical Buddha in Sanskrit) also known as Shakyamuni or SakyamuniMahayana Buddhist title for the Buddha (sage of the Shakyas). The precise dates of the Buddha's life are uncertain. A widespread Buddhist tradition records that he was in his 80th year when he died and the dates for his life are most widely quoted as 566-486 BCE. However, recent scholarly research, using rock edicts and named monks and nuns and their recorded ages, has suggested that the dates should be brought forward, placing the Buddha's death closer to 400 BCE rather than 500BCE. The Buddha also had important disciplesA word usually used of the 12 individuals chosen by Jesus, but often used of followers of a faith tradition who helped with Buddhism's foundation: Sariputta (Sanskrit: SariputraOne of the Buddha's closest disciples, an arahat known particularly for his wisdom) was renowned for his wisdom, and the Buddha named him as his chief assistant in turning the Dhamma Wheeldhammakara, a Buddhist symbol representing the Dhamma and the path to Nibbana. Moggallana (Sanskrit: MaudgalyayanaOne of the Buddha's closest disciples famous for his supernatural powers, such as mind-reading and mental transportation) was Sariputta's friend and was particularly renowned for his psychic abilities; AnandaThe Buddha's cousin, attendant and confidant, famous for his compassion and memory of the Dhamma was the Buddha's cousin and attendant and is known as the Guardian of the Dhamma. Finally King Asoka, living a couple of centuries after the death of the Buddha, was extremely influential in the propagation of the Dhamma.

The ancient Indians were more concerned with philosophy rather than chronologies and biographies. We therefore have a clearer idea of the Buddha's thoughts and ideas than we do of his life. However, accounts of the Buddha's life were developed after his death. Siddattha was born a prince in LumbiniPlace of the Buddha's birth, in Nepal near the Indian border, a pilgrimage site, Ancient India, now modern day Nepal. He was examined by BrahminsThe priestly caste of Hinduism and it was predicted he would one day be either a great king or a Buddha. His father, preferring his son to be a great king rather than a renouncer, tried to hide all sufferingThe universal condition of humankind, partly caused by the impermanence of all things from him and ensured he lived a life of comfort. However, at the age of 29 the Buddha saw an old man, a diseased man, a decaying corpse and an ascetic. Depressed by this, Siddattha left the palace, his wife and his son to become a mendicant and overcome old age, illness and death. He tried various ascetic practices, taking his austerities and self mortification to such a point that he nearly starved to death. After collapsing in a river and nearly drowning he reconsidered; having taken some milk and rice from a girl named Sujata he realised a middle wayA description of the Buddhist concept of achieving enlightenment between the contrasting paths of indulgence and asceticism between over indulgence and asceticism was preferable. He sat down underneath a pipal tree, now known as the Bodhi TreeA Pipal tree under which the Buddha achieved Enlightenment and vowed never to rise until he had found the Truth. After 49 days of meditating, at the age of 35, he attained Enlightenment and became a Buddha. For the remaining 45 years of his life, the Buddha travelled in the Gangetic Plain teaching to an extremely diverse range of people - from nobles to outcastes, from street sweepers to mass murderers and cannibals. He set up the Sangha, the monastic community, which aided his teachings. At the age of 80 the Buddha entered ParinibbanaA Buddhist word for the final passing of the Buddha or any arahat and told his disciples to follow no leader, but to follow his teachings.

Sariputta and Moggallana were the two principal disciples and Arahats of the Buddha, who both became ascetics on the same day. There are many stories about the two which emphasize Sariputta's wisdom and Moggallana's psychic abilities. For example, a mischievous yaksa decided to irritate Sariputta by striking him on the head. Moggallana saw this occurring with his psychic abilities, and warned his friend, though unsuccessfully. However, due to his great spiritual wisdom, Sariputta perceived the terrible blow that the yaksa delivered as only a light breeze. Moggallana expressed amazement that Sariputta barely noticed the attack, while Sariputta was equally surprised that Moggallana had foreseen all of this.

Ananda, the Buddha's attendant, was famous for his retentive memory with many of the Suttas attributed to him. He famously petitioned the Buddha to allow nuns into the Sangha.

The Buddha represents the paradigm for human behaviour; he achieved as much as one possibly can by becoming a Buddha, all through personal striving. However, in terms of realistic models for modern Buddhists, the Buddha can seem somewhat 'out of reach'. Therefore, the disciples are often easier to identify with. Each one highlights specific values Buddhists hold important; Sariputra's wisdom is aspired to through studying the Dhamma; Moggallana's psychic abilities are sought through meditation; and Ananda's compassion and dedication to the Buddha is searched for through devotional practices.

Websites

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ananda

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gautama_Buddha

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maudgalyayana

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sariputra

http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhism/lifebuddha/index.htm

http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhistworld/kusinaga.htm

http://www.dharmaforkids.com/Buddha/buddha.html

http://www.thebuddhistsociety.org/resources/Buddha.html

Bibliography

Cush, D. 1994. Buddhism (Student’s Approach to World Religions). London: Hodder.

Gethin, R. 1998.The Foundations of Buddhism (OPUS). Oxford: Oxford Paperbacks.