Describe Buddha's life in brief. [V. Imp.]
The Buddha (original name Siddhartha Gautama) belonged to a small gana' and was a kshatriya. At an early age, he left the comforts of home and went in search of knowledge. He wandered for several years, and met and discussed with other contemporary thinkers. He meditated for several days under a peepaT tree at Bodh Gaya in Bihar. Here, after meditation, he attained enlightenment. This gave him the name the Buddha' (the Wise One). He went to Samath and taught people. He travelled and preached for the rest of his life. He spoke of tanha', Karma', etc. He died at Kusinara.
Write whether true or false:
(a) The Buddha encouraged animal sacrifices.
(b) Samath is important because it was the place where the Buddha taught for the first time.
(c) The Buddha taught that Karma' has no effect on our lives.
(d) The Buddha attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya.
(e) Upanishadic thinkers believed that the atman' and brahman' were ultimately one.
Make a List of at least five ideas and questions mentioned in this lesson. Choose three from the List and discuss why you think they are important even today.
Do you think it would have been easy for slaves to join the sangha'? Give reasons for your answer.
Fill in the blanks with appropriate words to complete each sentence.
(i) The Buddha belonged to a small gana' called …………….
(ii) The Buddha got enlightenment at …………..
(iii) The Buddha used the word ……… for desire of worldly things.
(iv) Satyakama Jabala was the son of a ………… woman called Jabali.
(v) The Prakrit spoken in Magadha was known as ……………
(vi) Jainism was initially supported by only the …………..
(vii) The teachings of Mahavira were written down for the first time about years ago.
(viii) The earliest Viharas' were made of………… and of……..