Siddhartha

Sketch of the Life of Sakyamuni, the Founder of Buddhism

Although the numerous legends respecting the life und works of Sakyamuni, the reputed
founder of the Buddhist faith, contain much that is fabulous, yet most of the incidents
mentioned therein, when deprived of the marvelous garb with which early historians
invariably used to embellish their tales, seem to be based on matters
of fact. At present scientific researches have put Sakyamuni's real existence beyond a
doubt; but the period in which he lived will ever remain somewhat vaguely defined.

Sakyanmni was born at Kapilavastu in Gorakhpur near Bihar. The legends tell us that his
father, the king Suddhodana, requested one hundred and eight learned Brahmans to
inform him of his son's destiny; the Brahmans, the legends say, after a careful
examination of the prince's body, expressed their conviction that, "if he remained a
layman during his lifetime, he would become a powerful monarch of vast territories; but
in the event of his turning recluse, he would enter the state of a supreme Buddha or wise
man: and in solemn assembly they declared that this prince would hereafter prove a
blessing to the world, and that lie himself would also enjoy great prosperity." It was in
consequence of this answer, that the prince received the name of Siddhartha, "the
establisher.

Siddhartha proved to be endowed with extraordinary acuities, and the legends even go so
far as to assert that, when he was about to be taught his letters, he could already
distinguish them, and his eminent qualities were manifest, not only in his mental, but also
in bodily perfection. It is added as particularly characteristic that already in his youth he
was inclined to retirement and solitude: he abandoned his gay, playful comrades and
buried himself in the dark recesses of dense forests, where he gave himself up to
profound meditation.

Suddhodana, the father, however, wished his son to become rather a powerful monarch,
than a lonely ascetic. When, therefore, after a renewed consultation -with the Brahmans,
he learned that Siddhartha would certainly leave his magnificent palace and become an
ascetic, in the event of his seeing four things, viz. decrepitude, sickness, a dead body, and
a recluse, he placed guards on all sides of the palace, in order that these dreaded objects
might not come near his beloved son. Moreover, in order to weaken his love of solitude
and meditation, he married him to Gopa, the daughter of Dandapani, of the race of the
Sakyas, and gave orders that he should be provided with every kind of pleasure. But all
these precautions pro veil futile. Siddhartha, though living in the midst of festivities and
in the enjoyment of all worldly pleasures, never ceased to reflect upon the pains which
arise from' birth, sickness, decay, and death; upon their causes, and upon the remedies to
be used against them.