The document provides background information on the life of Buddha before his birth. It discusses how the Bodhisattva Śvetaketu Deva in Tusita Heaven chose to be reborn on Earth to help beings achieve enlightenment. He selected the time as the 3rd-2nd millennium BCE in North India, the continent as Jambudvipa, the country as Kapilavastu, the family as the royal family of King Suddhodana and Queen Maha Maya, and Maya as the mother. Śvetaketu Deva then descended to be conceived in Maha Maya's womb, marking the beginning of Buddha's birth story.

1. BUDDHISM Part
01
Life of Buddha
a summery by CS Ooi
KL Buddhism Study Group
International Buddhist College
July 2012
Before His Birth to
Early Childhood Education

2. Life of Buddha
Introduction
001 It is by stories that we learn best. People like stories.
There are countless variations on the story of the Life
of the Buddha. This project on the Life of the Buddha is
a compilation by Sunday school children, teachers and
myself over a period of three years. It is full of
Legends, Myths, Symbolisms and Miracles.
http://buddhism.about.com/od/buddha/a/birthofbuddha.htm

3. Life of Buddha
The Coming Of The Buddha
Vietnam Quan The Am Thien Vien www.quantheamthienvien.com/

4. Life of Buddha
The Coming Of The Buddha
002 At one time, about one hundred thousand years ago,
according to an old Buddhist legend, the Great Brahmas in
the five Pure Adobe heavens came down to our world and
announced that a Buddha will come to be born on earth.
The coming of the Buddha Quan The Am Thien Vien

5. Life of Buddha
The Assembly Of Devas And Brahmas
Vietnam Quan The Am Thien Vien www.quantheamthienvien.com/

6. Life of Buddha
The Assembly Of Devas And Brahmas
003 It was said that all those who want to see him should
be good, observe the precepts and cultivate the mind. The
human beings and divine beings are curious to know who
would become the Buddha. No one could find a correct
answer until one significant event takes place.

7. Life of Buddha
Bodhisattva Śvetaketu Deva
Vietnam Quan The Am Thien Vien www.quantheamthienvien.com/

8. Life of Buddha
Bodhisattva Śvetaketu Deva
004 According to the Abhiniskramana sutra, at this time, a
"Bodhisattva" (Buddha-to-be) named Śvetaketu was living
as a Deva, in Tusita Heaven. The Brahma, the Four
Celestial Kings, Santusita Deva and the other Devas all
assemble to discuss the signs in Śvetaketu Deva.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_cosmology
https://advaitham.wordpress.com/category/sacred/#

9. Life of Buddha
The Five Signs In Śvetaketu Deva
Śvetaketu Deva
Myanmar

10. Life of Buddha
The Five Signs In Śvetaketu Deva
005 They observed the following five decay signs of
Śvetaketu Deva. These signs are,
o the divine flowers decorating his body begins to wither.
o the colours of his divine clothe looks faded.
o sweat flows from his armpits.
o his complexion looks dark and dull.
o he feels bored with everything in heaven.

11. Life of Buddha
The Devas Decision
The Five
Choices
China

12. Life of Buddha
The Devas Decision
006 After observing all these signs, all the Devas invite
him to descend from Tusita heaven to be reborn in the
mortal world. This invitation is for the Bodhisattva to be
reborn into the human world to help all sentient beings
to eradicate their sufferings and to turn the wheel of
Dharma.

13. Life of Buddha
Five Great Choices .
Thai
Devas from all the celestial realms
Gods Ask Santussita to
be Reborn on Earth
Wat Olak Madu, Kg.
Tengah, Kepala
Batas, Penang,
Malaysia
http://www.photodharma.net/Malaysia/Wat-Olak-Madu/images/Wat-Olak-Madu-
00024.jpg

14. Life of Buddha
Five Great Choices .
007 The Bodhisattva then considers the five great
choices, namely,
o time, to be reborn.
o continent, to be reborn in.
o country, to be born in.
o family, to be born to.
o mother, to bare the child.

15. Life of Buddha
Time, Continent, Country, Family, And The
Mother
Thailand
Devas from all the celestial realms
convene to invite the Bodhisatta to take
rebirth in order to become enlightened
as the Buddha
http://www.mahidol.ac.th/budsir/E_hist1.ht
m

16. Life of Buddha
Time, Continent, Country, Family, And The
Mother.
008 The details of the choices are.
o The time should not be too short or too long for human
beings to achieve enlightenment.
o The continent should be Jambudipa.
o The country should be in a central area.
o The family should be a Royal family or a Brahmin
family.
o The mother should be a virtuous woman.

17. Life of Buddha
Accepting The Invitation Of The Devas
The Bodhisattva in Tusita Heaven before his birth as
Siddhartha Gautama. Borobudur, Java, Indonesia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lalitavistara_Sutra

18. Life of Buddha
Accepting The Invitation Of The Devas
009 After considering the perfection of these five great
choices, the Bodhisattva then accepted the invitation of
the Devas. The time has come, and the five right
conditions are there for the Bodhisattva to be reborn in
the world for the last time.

19. Life of Buddha
India Before The Time Of The Buddha

20. Life of Buddha
India Before The Time Of The Buddha
010 Bodhisattva Śvetaketu Deva chooses the time to be
reborn during the third and second millennia B.C.E. At that
time just before the birth of the Buddha, the people in
North Eastern India were most likely proto-Dravidians. The
Harappa-Mohenjodaro civilization flourished in the Indus
River valley during this period.

21. Life of Buddha
The Continent Of Jambudvipa
India (Jambudvipa) in the middle of the Asia Continent
http://www.vidiani.com/maps/maps_of_asia/large_physical_and_relief_map_of_asia

22. Life of Buddha
The Continent Of Jambudvipa
011 At that time India was called Jambudvipa. It was
divided into many kingdoms. Some of the kingdoms were
small, others were large. Some of these kingdoms were
ruled by kings. Some were ruled jointly by several royal
tribes. Bodhisattva Śvetaketu Deva chooses Kapilavastu a
kingdom in Indus Valley area of North Eastern India.

23. Life of Buddha
The Middle Country
Jambudvipa
with Mount
Sumeru to
the North
Nepal
http://earthbeforeflood.com/hyperborea_svarga
_jambudvipa_world_in_which_gods_lived.html

24. Life of Buddha
The Middle Country,
012 The Indus Valley Area just before the time of the
Buddha is a peaceful and commercially central area. It had
commercial contact with the pre-Babylonian Sumerians of
the Mesopotamian area in modern-day Iraq, but had little
cultural influence from them.

25. Life of Buddha
The People Of The Region.
Ganges
Basin, India
A Pictorial Biography of Sakyamuni Buddha Page 001

26. Life of Buddha
The People Of The Region
013 The people of this area most likely originated in the
area of Afghanistan, Eastern Iran, and Southern West
Turkistan, and were known as the “Aryans,” the “noble
ones.” The Aryans observed a caste system predominant
in India at that time. The Sanskrit word for caste, Varna,
also means color. The four castes are Brahmins, (priest,
artists, teachers class) Kshatriyas, (ruling and military
class) Vaishyas, (farmers and traders class)
Shudras.(servants and slaves).

27. Life of Buddha
The Rulers Of Kapilavastu
Japan
http://www1.plala.o
r.jp/choushou/eden
/INDEX1/b2.htm

28. Life of Buddha
The Rulers Of Kapilavastu.
014 Bodhisattva Śvetaketu Deva chooses to be reborn to
the family of the King and Queen of Kapilavastu. King
Suddhodana Gautama of the Sakya Clan is the ruler of
Kapilavastu. Gautama was his family name. Queen Maha
Maya was the chief consort of King Suddhodana. After
King Suddhodana Gautama and Queen Maha Maya Devi
were married, they lived happily together ruling
Kapilavastu. Queen Maha Māya and King Suddhodana did
not have children for twenty years.

29. Life of Buddha
The Kingdom Of Kapilavastu
Sri Lanka
A Pictorial Biography of Sakyamuni Buddha Page 002

30. Life of Buddha
The Kingdom Of Kapilavastu
015 The small Kingdom of Kapilavastu (Pāli :
Kapilavastu), was located on the North bank of the
Rapti River. It is on the rim of the Himalayans
Mountain. Kapilavastu was a peaceful and prosperous
kingdom. Kapilavastu is the name of a place in the
ancient sakya kingdom where Prince Siddhartha
Gautama grew up.

31. Life of Buddha
Present-day Ruins Of Kapilavastu
Kapilavastu of Piprahwa. in
the Siddharthnagar district
of Uttar Pradesh in India, (15
km from Lumbini)
http://web.singnet.com.sg/~chi
nsoo/
Kapilavastu of Tilaurakot
in the district of Lumbini,
Nepal, (10 km West of
Lumbini)
.http://kaustavdm.in/2012/02/
nepal-tour-2011-12-2.html
Nepal
India

32. Life of Buddha
Present-day Ruins Of Kapilavastu
016 Today two sites in two countries are named
Kapilavastu. One is in the district of Lumbini,
Nepal, It is 10 kilometers West of Lumbini and
is the archeological site of Tilaurakot. The
other is 15 kilometers South from Lumbini in
Piprahwa, a village in the Siddharthnagar
district of Uttar Pradesh Province in India.

33. Life of Buddha
King Suddhodana And Queen Maha Maya
Japan
http://www1.plala.
or.jp/choushou/ed
en/INDEX1/b3.ht
m

34. Life of Buddha
King Suddhodana And Queen Maha Maya
017 Queen Maha Maya is a beautiful Koliyan princess,
the daughter of King Anjana from the Northern city of
Devadarsita. She is named Maya which means "vision",
but it is her virtues and talents that were her most
wonderful qualities. King Suddhodana himself is called
"King of the Law" because he is a good and just ruler
loved and respected by his subjects.

35. Life of Buddha
Bodhisattva Descends To Take Conception In
Maha Maya
Myanmar
The Bodhisatta accepting the
invitation of the Devas
The Life of Buddha Sakiamuni 2

36. Life of Buddha
Bodhisattva Descends To Take Conception In Maha
Maya
018 Accepting the invitations of the Devas, the Bodhisatta
Śvetaketu Deva knowing that the time had come
descends from Tusita heaven to take conception in Maha
Maya and be reborn in the mortal world. It was the eighth
day of the fourth luna month.

37. Life of Buddha
Buddha’s Birth Story
Thailand
The Bodhisatta descends to
take conception in Maha Maya
http://www.mahidol.ac.th/budsir/E_hist2.htm

38. Life of Buddha
Buddha’s Birth Story
019 The Mahayana Lankavitara sutra tells that the
Buddha was staying at Jetavana grove with a large
gathering of disciples. One evening, a group of divine
beings visit the Buddha and request him to tell the story of
his awakening for the benefit of all beings. The Buddha
consents. This is a summery of the Buddha’s birth story.

39. Life of Buddha
Queen Maha Maya’s Dana
China
Maha Maya's
Dream

40. Life of Buddha
Queen Maha Maya’s Dana
020 On the full moon day of Uttara Asalha in the month of
Wazo (July) Queen Maha Maya rose early. It was the
beginning of a seven-day midsummer festival. She
requested the king to grant her request to undertake a vow
of self-denial. She then gave Dana and carried out charity
work. She also took the eight precepts. Later she entered
her elegantly furnished room to contemplate.
Lord Buddha - Maya's Dream - Kids Animation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM1ySJO1F6Q

41. Life of Buddha
Queen Maha Maya Practice Sila
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lalitavistara_Sutra
Indonesia
Queen Maya
reclining.
Borobudur.
Java,

42. Life of Buddha
Queen Maha Maya's Practice Sila
021 Queen Maha Maya practiced Sila, a code of conduct
that embraces a commitment to harmony and self-restraint
with the principle motivation being non-violence, or freedom
from causing harm. Sila has been variously described as
virtue, right conduct, morality, moral discipline and precept.
On that day she did not sleep with her husband.

43. Life of Buddha
Queen Maha Maya's Dream
Sri Lanka
Maha Maya's
Dream
http://www.buddhamind.inf
o/leftside/arty/requiz/b-youth.
htm

44. Life of Buddha
Queen Maha Maya's Dream
022 That night was a full moon night. Queen Maha Maya
Devi was sleeping in the palace, She had a strange and
vivid dream. In the Mahapadana-sutra, Digha Nikaya 14, is
the description of the rebirth of Bodhisatta Śvetaketu Dev
a. The same story also occur to the Vipassī Buddha in KN
14 Buddhacerita.
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/
buddhism/lifebuddha/1lbud.htm

45. Life of Buddha
The Devas Of The Four Directions
China
The Four
Devas

46. Life of Buddha
The Devas Of The Four Directions
023 She dreamt that the Devas from the four directions
came to her. The Devas from the four directions are also
called the Four Heavenly Kings or the Chatur-Maharajas.
The Deva of the North is yellow, South is blue, East is white
and the West is red. Their Sanskrit names are Vaiśravaṇa
(Kubera), Virūḍhaka, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Virūpākṣa respectively.

47. Life of Buddha
They Carried Her To Lake Anotatta
Thailand
The Four
Devas

48. Life of Buddha
They Carried Her To Lake Anotatta
024 She felt herself being carried away by the Devas of
the four directions. They carried her to Lake Anotatta on top
of the Himalayan mountains. Today Lake Anotatta is
identified with Lake Manasarovar. It is at the foot of Mount
Sineru. The mountain is also known in the Pāḷi texts as
Neru, Mahāmeru, Meru and Kelasa. It is identified now with
Mount Kailash in West Tibet.

49. Life of Buddha
She Was Bathed In The Lake
China
Bathed

50. Life of Buddha
She Was Bathed In The Lake
025 At the Lake Anotatta, she was bathed by the wives of
the Devas. After bathing her in the lake, the wives of the
Devas clothed her in heavenly cloths, anointed her with
perfumes, and bedecked her with divine flowers. She was
then taken back to her bed.

51. Life of Buddha
The White Elephant
Myanmar
Maha Maya's Dream

52. Life of Buddha
The White Elephant
026 The sky was filled with a bright white light. Soon the
rays takes the shape of a white elephant. The elephant has
six tasks. It was carrying a white lotus flower in its trunk.
The elephant trumpeted, and after circling around her three
times, entered the right side of her body.

53. Life of Buddha
Queen Maha Maya Felt At Peace
India
http://www.buddhamind.info/leftside/arty/requiz/b-youth.htm

54. Life of Buddha
Queen Maha Maya Felt At Peace
027 Thus the conception took place. Queen Maha Maya
felt happy and her heart was filled with joy. After the dream
of the white elephant, Queen Maha Maya had a blessed
and peaceful sleep for the rest of the night.

55. Life of Buddha
Queen Maha Maya Tells The King
Queen Maya
tells the King
A Pictorial Biography of Sakyamuni Buddha Page 003
Sri Lanka

56. Life of Buddha
Queen Maha Maya Tells The King
028 The next day, early in the morning, the queen told
the king about the dream. The king was puzzled and he
taught to himself that dreams at this early hours
usually come true. Later he sent for some wise men to
discover the meaning of the dream.

57. Life of Buddha
The King Consulted The Wise Men
Life Of The Lord Buddha Quan The Am Thien Vien Vietnam

58. Life of Buddha
The King Consulted The Wise Men
029 The wise men said, "Your Majesty, you are very
lucky. The Devas have chosen our queen as the mother
of the Purest-one and the child will become a very
great being“. The king and queen were very happy for
they had no children and were longing for a child.

59. Life of Buddha
The Celebrations
http://ignca.nic.in/jatak073.htm Indonesia

60. Life of Buddha
The Celebrations.
030 The King and Queen were so pleased that they invited
many of the noblemen in the country to the palace for a
feast to tell them the good news. Even the needy were not
forgotten. Food and clothes were given to the poor people
in celebration.

61. Life of Buddha
Queen Maha Maya’s Pregnancy
Life Of The Lord Buddha Quan The Am Thien Vien Vietnam

62. Life of Buddha
Queen Maha Maya’s Pregnancy
031 The whole kingdom waited eagerly for the birth of the
new child. Queen Maha Maya enjoyed a happy and healthy
pregnancy, living a pure life for herself and her unborn
child. Queen Maha Maya carried the baby in her womb for
ten months. The time passed quickly.

63. Life of Buddha
Queen Maya Gets Permission To Go Home
http://simsfiction.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/screenshot-1191.jpg

64. Life of Buddha
Queen Maya Gets Permission To Go Home
032 Queen Maya was expecting her child. One day she
went to the king and asked to go back to her parents home
in Devadarsita. The baby was almost due and it was the
custom in India for a wife to return to her parent's home for
the birth of her child. The king consented for his Queen to
travel back to Koliya country.

65. Life of Buddha
Queen Maya Gets Ready To Go Home
Singapore
Queen Maya on
her way back to
her parents home
in Devadarsita.

66. Life of Buddha
Queen Maya Gets Ready To Go Home
033 The king ordered the road between Kapilavastu and
Devadarsita cleared and leveled. Queen Maha Maya
prepares herself for the journey home. On the full moon of
the sixth luna month, with the King’s blessings Maha Maya
left Kapilavastu on a palanquin, accompanied by a
thousand courtiers.

67. Life of Buddha
They Reached Lumbini Park
Sri Lanka
A Pictorial Biography of Sakyamuni Buddha Page 004

68. Life of Buddha
They Reached Lumbini Park
034 Between the two cities of Kapilavastu and Devadarsita
is a place called Lumbini Park. Every summer, people of the
two cities flocked to this park to rest or to play among the
beautiful flowers and the trees.

69. Life of Buddha
The Beautiful Lumbini Park
Japanese
Life Of The Lord Buddha QuanTheAmThienVien Vietnam

70. Life of Buddha
The Beautiful Lumbini Park
035 They enjoy the beautiful flowers blooming all over the
tree branches, the melodious twittering of the birds, the
colourful butterflies and the humming of the ever busy honey
bees. Lumbini Park is pleasant and splendorous indeed.

71. Life of Buddha
They Rested At Lumbini Park
Japan
http://www1.plala
.or.jp/choushou/e
den/INDEX1/b4.h
tm

72. Life of Buddha
They Rested At Lumbini Park
036 When Queen Maha Maya and her royal retinue reached
Lumbini Park, she asked the group to stop for a rest. Queen
Maha Maya left the palanquin entered the grove and walked
around happily. While walking around the beautiful garden
she came across a Great tree.

73. Life of Buddha
The Great Tree
Life Of The Lord Buddha QuanTheAmThienVien
Vietnam

74. Life of Buddha
The Great Tree
037 She arrived under the Great tree. As she reached up to
touch the scented blossoms she suddenly felt like giving
birth. Thereupon her handmaidens hung a curtain around
her. Thus, at about noon time, holding to one of the
branches of the Great tree, her delivery of the baby prince
took place while she was standing up. She was still holding
onto the branch of the Great tree.

75. Life of Buddha
The Golden Net And The Celestial Shower
Life Of The Lord Buddha QuanTheAmThienVien 08:30
Vietnam

76. Life of Buddha
The Golden Net And The Celestial Shower
038 The legend tells that at the time Queen Maha Maya is
giving birth to the child, four regent Brahmas (Chatur-Maha
brahmas) from the Pure Abode heavens received him in a
golden net. The Queen and her son were showered with
perfumed blossoms from the Great tree. There was also the
event of the celestial shower from the sky that rained down
to washed the new born child.

77. Tibet
Life of Buddha
This Special Day
Thailand

78. Life of Buddha
This Special Day
039 The legend also described the Devas in the heavens
rejoicing. According to the calculations of the modern solar
calendar, it was the year 523 BCE. It was on the full moon-day
of Vishahka, the sixth lunar month in May. Today we call
this day Wesak day. Today Wesak day is celebrated on the
full moon day of May.

79. Life of Buddha
Birth Of The Buddha
Sri Lanka
A Pictorial Biography of Sakyamuni
Buddha Page 005 http://www.buddha
mind.info/leftside/arty/requiz/b-youth.
htm
Vietnam
Life Of The Lord Buddha
QuanTheAmThienVien

80. Life of Buddha
Birth Of The Buddha
040 The story goes that the child was born from the right
side of the mother. When born the boy instantly stood up
and took seven steps towards the North. With each step a
lotus flower appeared at his feet to cushion him from the
ground.

81. Japan
Life of Buddha
First Words Of The Buddha
http://www1.plala.or.jp
/choushou/eden/INDE
X1/b5.htm

82. Life of Buddha
First Words Of The Buddha
041 He then pointed to the sky and roared like a lion and
utter - “I was born for enlightenment. This is my last life in
this world of consciousness”. There are many different
accounts of the 'miracle' birth of Gautama Buddha.

83. Life of Buddha
The Verse From The Pali Canon.
Malaysia
Wat Olak
Madu, Kg.
Tengah,
Kepala Batas,
Penang,
http://media.photobucket.com/image/Queen%20Khem%25C4%2581%20Buddha/Birdt
akrut/life-of-buddha-8.jpg http://www.photodharma.net/Malaysia/Wat-Olak-
Madu/images/Wat-Olak-Madu-00026.jpg

84. Life of Buddha
The Verse From The Pali Canon
042 The Pali canon has this verse to describe what the
newly born Buddha to be said.
"I am chief of the world, "Aggo' ham asmi lokassa!"
Eldest am I in the world, "Jettho' ham asmi lokassa!",
Foremost am I in the world. "Settho' ham asmi lokassa!”
This is the last birth. "Ayam antima jati!",
There is no more rebirth for me! "Natthi dani punabbhavo!"
THE CHRONICLE OF BUDDHA GOTAMA BY MINGUN SAYADAW
Volume Two, Part One, 1994; The Birth of The Bodhisattva

85. Life of Buddha
The Queen And The Child
Indonesia
http://www.hinduwebsite.com/buddhis
m/buddhaslife2.asp

86. Life of Buddha
The Queen And The Child
043 The birth took place at Lumbini (modern Rumindei in
Nepal). His mother Maha Maya, was the chief queen consort
of King Suddhodana of Kapilavastu. Logically we know that
a new born child cannot walk or talk. These accounts of
miracles are in the story is to enforce a proclamation that the
child is of a special being.

87. Nepal
Life of Buddha
11th Century Relief
Sculpture
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/
buddhistworld/nativity.htm
Myanmar
http://www.lasieexotique.com/ma
g_buddha_I/mag_buddha_I.html

88. Life of Buddha
11th Century Relief Sculpture
044 The two pictures here are stone relief
sculptures from the11th century A.D. They are from
the Ananda Temple of Myanmar, (left) and the
Karnali zone of Nepal (right). Queen Maha Maya
stands under a fragrant flowering tree holding on to
one of its branches.

89. Life of Buddha
Nepal The Tree Buddha Was Born Under
India
http://greencleanguide.com/wp-content/uploads/
2012 /05/Shorea-robusta-Full-grown-tree.jpg
http://kanak7.files.wordpress
.com/2012/05/dsc06845.jpg
Shorea robusta
Saraca asoca

90. Life of Buddha
The Tree Buddha Was Born Under
045 Nepalese texts describe the Asoca Tree
(Saraca asoca (Roxb.) De Wilde as the tree
Buddha was born under, while the Sri Lanka texts
describe the Sala tree (Shorea robusta Roth).

91. Nepal
Life of Buddha
Lumbini Today, Birth Place Of The
Buddha
http://www.nepallinktravel.com/images/Lumbini-banner2.jpg

92. Life of Buddha
Lumbini Today, Birth Place Of The
Buddha
046 Present day Lumbini. the holy temple of Maya Devi. The
temple has a relief stone sculpture of Maha Maya in
labor. The image shows her holding the branch of a tree
while Buddha is getting birth. An Asoka Pillar marks the
place where Buddha was born, That is in front is the
Sankey Pool.
http://www.nepallinktravel.com/nepal/tour-in-nepal/lumbini-tour.php

93. Nepal
Life of Buddha
Queen Maha Maya At The Puskarni Pool
Life Of Lord Buddha #6:728 http://www.slideshare.net/TrongDorje/life-of-
lord-buddha-8049512

94. Life of Buddha
Queen Maha Maya At The Puskarni Pool
047 On the south of the Maya Devi temple there is the
famous sacred bathing pool known as Puskarni or the
Sankey Pool. It is believed that Maha Maya took a bath in
this pool before the delivery, and that according to custom,
the Queen also washed the new-born baby in the same
pool.
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhistworld/lumbini.htm

95. Life of Buddha
The Asoka Pillar Of Lumbini
Nepal
The Asoka Inscriptions
http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00routesdata/bce_299_2
00/ashoka/lumbini/lumbini.html

96. Life of Buddha
The Asoka Pillar Of Lumbini
048 In c.a. 249 BC, when the Emperor Ashoka visited
Lumbini it was a flourishing village. Ashoka constructed four
stupas and a stone pillar with a figure of a horse on top. The
stone pillar bears an inscription. A part of the English
translation, is as follows: "King Piyadasi (Ashoka), beloved
of Devas, in the 20 year of the coronation, himself made a
royal visit, Buddha Sakyamuni having been born here,….”
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhistworld/lumbini.htm

97. Life of Buddha
Emperor Ashoka.
Relief of Kanaganahalli stupa,
Gulbarga district. India
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Chakr
avatin.jpg

98. Life of Buddha
Emperor Ashoka
049 In 1997 Lumbini, was awarded the status of the
UNESCO World Heritage Site. Buddhist literature preserved
the legend of Ashoka Bindusara Maurya (304–232 BCE), as
a cruel and ruthless king who converted to Buddhism and
thereafter established a reign of virtue. Emperor Ashoka is
revered as a historic figure who propagate Buddhism c.a.
300 years after the Buddha.
http://bharatkalyan97.blogspot.com/2011/07/asoka-on-ancient-indian-sculptures.html

99. Thailand
Life of Buddha
The King Sent An Escort
Slide Share 729 Frame 97 Ajarn Kamnuan Chanantho

100. Life of Buddha
The King Sent An Escort
050 When the king received the good news about the birth
of the Prince he sent his people to Lumbini to escort the
queen and her baby back to Kapilavastu. The whole city of
Kapilavastu also celebrated the birth of the Prince.

101. Japan
Life of Buddha
Return To Kapilavastu
http://www1.plala.or.jp/
choushou/eden/INDEX
1/b6.htm

102. Life of Buddha
Return To Kapilavastu
051 Thus the Prince was born in the Sakya republic of
Lumbini at the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains. So
after giving birth to a healthy baby Prince and after
giving the baby his first bath in Lumbini Park, Queen
Maha Maya and her companions brought the Prince
back to Kapilavastu.

103. Sri Lanka
Life of Buddha
King Suddhodana Was Happy
A Pictorial Biography of Sakyamuni Buddha Page 006

104. Life of Buddha
King Suddhodana Was Happy
052 King Suddhodana was very happy to see his wife
and baby Prince. Both the Queen and the baby Prince
were given a royal welcome back to the palace on the
very same day. Special care were given to the Queen
and the Prince.

105. Life of Buddha
On The Same Day As The Prince’s Birth
Birth of Princess Yasodara
Planting Of Maha Bodhi Tree
Birth of Channa
Birth of Kantika
India
(J.i.54; Mtu.ii.156, 164, 189, 233; iii.91, 262; BuA.233; SA.ii.231; DhsA.34. ThagA.
(i.155)

106. Life of Buddha
On The Same Day As The Prince’s Birth
053 The Legend also mentioned that on the same
day of the Prince’s birth, four other events took place.
They were the Birth of Princess Yasodara, the Birth of
Channa, the Birth of Kantika the horse, and the
planting of the Maha Bodhi Tree.
(J.i.54; Mtu.ii.156, 164, 189, 233; iii.91, 262; BuA.233; SA.ii.231; DhsA.34. ThagA.
(i.155)

107. Japan
Life of Buddha
Asita The Sage
http://www1.plala.or.jp/ch
oushou/eden/INDEX1/b7
.htm

108. Life of Buddha
Asita The Sage
054 In the mountains near-by, there lived a sage, an
ascetic of high spiritual attainments, named Asita
Kaladevala. He was pleased to hear the happy news
that a Prince was born to King Suddhodana and
Queen Maha Maya. Asita was the teacher and
chaplain of Sihahanu, the father of Suddhodana. He
quickly went to visited the palace to see the royal
baby himself.

109. Life of Buddha
Asita Sees The Prince
Sri Lanka
Asita the sage weeps - he
sees the child will become
enlightened but knows that he
will be dead before the Buddha
begins to teach.
http://www.buddhamind.info/l
eftside/arty/requiz/b-youth.
htm
A Pictorial Biography of Sakyamuni Buddha Page 008

110. Life of Buddha
Asita Sees The Prince
055 As soon as Asita Kaladevala (also called Asita
Tabasa) arrived at the palace, King Suddhodana showed
the Prince to Asita. Asita carefully studied the features and
marks on the Prince. Using his wisdom and experience, he
could tell that the prince was special and had the look of
great virtue.

111. Life of Buddha
The 32 Major Marks & 80 Minor Marks
The Life Of Buddha, Royal Library,
The Hague, Netherlands. Page 10.
Thailand
Holland
http://www.mahidol.ac.th/budsir/E_hist4.htm

112. Life of Buddha
The 32 Major Marks & 80 Minor Marks
056 Asita’s visit was on the day when the Prince was only
three days old. Asita saw the 32 major signs and 80 minor
signs on the Prince. Asita announced that the Prince will
grow up to be a great man in the future.

113. Japan
Life of Buddha
The Prince Placed His Feet On Asita
http://www1.plala.or.jp
/choushou/eden/INDE
X1/b8.htm

114. Life of Buddha
The Prince Placed His Feet On Asita
057 King Suddhodana wanted to make the Prince pay
homage to Asita, who was respected by the Royal
Family. But instead, the Prince placed his feet on the
head of Asita. The whole court is astonished. After
seeing the prince, Asita was overjoyed; but at the
same time a tear dropped from his eye. King
Suddhodana was puzzled.

115. Japan
Life of Buddha
Asita Pays Respect To The Prince
http://www1.plala.or
.jp/choushou/eden/I
NDEX1/b9.htm

116. Life of Buddha
Asita Pays Respect To The Prince
058 King Suddhodana asked Asita why he cried. Asita
replied, “The Prince has the look of a great man.
Someday he will attain Enlightenment. I cried because
by that time, I shall not be around.” After saying this
Asita paid homage to the Prince. King Suddhodana
also followed and also paid homage to the Prince.

117. Japan
Life of Buddha
The Naming Ceremony
http://www1.plala.or.
jp/choushou/eden/IN
DEX1/b10.htm

118. Life of Buddha
The Naming Ceremony
059 Five days after the prince's birth, a ceremony was
held to choose a suitable name for the prince. King
Suddhodana gathered many Brahmin scholars, wise
men and relatives in the palace hall in order to decide
on the name of the prince. After conferring with each
other the name "Siddhartha" was selected. It means
the "wish full filled".

119. Life of Buddha
The Eight Brahmin Scholars
A picture biography of Sakyamuni
Buddha; Gunapayuta, (1997),
Thailand
Sri Lanka
http://www.watflorida.org/slideshows/buddh
alila/pages/image04b_JPG.htm

120. Life of Buddha
The Eight Brahmin Scholars
060 During the day of the naming ceremony, the
Brahmin scholars had the chance to view closely the
special marks on the prince's body. Eight Brahmin
scholars were asked by the King to predict the future
of the Prince.

121. Thailand
Life of Buddha
The Eight Brahmin Scholars Were

122. Life of Buddha
The Eight Brahmin Scholars Were
061 The Eight Brahmin Scholars were, 1. Rama 2.
Lakkhana 3. Yanna 4. Dhuja 5. Bhoja 6. Sudatta 7.
Suyama 8. Kondanna {also called Kaundinya}.
Kondanna is the youngest of the Eight Brahmin
Scholars.

123. Japan
Life of Buddha
The Prediction
http://www1.plala.or.jp
/choushou/eden/INDE
X1/b11.htm

124. Life of Buddha
The Prediction
062 Seven of the Brahmin Scholars unanimously
predicted that if the Prince succeeds his father and
becomes king, he will become a Cakravarti or Universal
Monarch. However if instead he leaves home to pursue
spiritual wisdom, he will become a Buddha.

125. Life of Buddha
The Young Kondanna {Kaundinya}
Sri Lanka
A Pictorial Biography of Sakyamuni Buddha Page 011

126. Life of Buddha
The Young Kondanna {Kaundinya}
063 But the youngest of the scholar, named Kondanna
{also called Kaundinya} raised one finger and firmly
testified that the Prince will become a Buddha.
.

127. Sri Lanka
Life of Buddha
The King's Wish
India
http://www1.plala.or.jp
/choushou/eden/INDE
X1/b11.htm
A Pictorial Biography of Sakyamuni Buddha Page 012

128. Life of Buddha
The King's Wish
064 The people and scholars of the country wished the
prince to become a Cakravarti or Universal Monarch when
he grew up. King Suddhodana wished for this too. He
certainly did not want his son to leave home to pursue
spiritual wisdom and become a Buddha or a teacher. The
king expected the prince, when his time came, to have a
family like other human beings, raise children, and succeed
him in ruling the country.

129. Japan
Life of Buddha
Queen Maya Passed Away
http://www1.plala.or.jp
/choushou/eden/INDE
X1/b12.htm

130. Life of Buddha
Queen Maya Passed Away
065 Seven days after the Prince was born, or just two days
after the naming ceremony, Queen Maha Maya passed
away (died). Every one was shocked, and sad. King
Suddhodana was also very sad. Queen Maha Maya was a
good and virtuous mother and wife.

131. Life of Buddha
Assumptions Of Maha Maya’s Death
Sri Lanka
http://www.thanhsiang
.org/kl/articles/sd0/sd
019-1.jpg
A Pictorial Biography of Sakyamuni Buddha Page 013

132. Life of Buddha
Assumptions Of Maha Maya’s Death
066 There are assumptions that the mother’s death is the
component of all Buddha’ life passage, as it deprives them
of the most important attachment in human life. The son’s
love for his mother. Queen Maha Maya did not leave little
Buddha an orphan, she gave him into the caring hands of
Ajana, the kind grandmother, and Mahaprajapati, Maya’s
amazing younger sister.

133. Japan
Life of Buddha
Queen Maha Prajapati
http://www1.plala.or.jp
/choushou/eden/INDE
X1/b13.htm

134. Life of Buddha
Queen Maha Prajapati
067 Queen Maha Prajapati was also the wife of King
Suddhodana. Queen Maha Prajapati the younger sister to
Queen Maha Maya took care of the baby Prince Siddhartha
as if the Prince was her own child. Thus Prince Siddhartha
never really knew his own mother.

135. Life of Buddha
Prince Siddhartha's Step-mother
India
A Pictorial Biography of Sakyamuni Buddha Page 014

136. Life of Buddha
Prince Siddhartha's Step-mother
068 Thus the Prince Siddhartha's step-mother is also his
aunt, Queen Maha Prajapati had also gave birth to a son
named Prince Nanda who is a week younger than Prince
Siddhartha and much later a daughter Princess Sundari
Nanda. However she took care of the prince and brought
him up with as much devotion as she would have shown to
her own children.

137. Japan
Life of Buddha
The Prince Grew Up
http://www1.plala.or.jp
/choushou/eden/INDE
X1/b14.htm

138. Life of Buddha
The Prince Grew Up
069 Under the loving care and watchful eyes of his
step-mother and auntie Queen Maha Prajapati, as well
as his kind Grand mother, the prince gradually grew up.
He was good looking and healthy. He was liked and
loved by everyone.

139. Thai
Life of Buddha
At The Ploughing Festival
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Saya_Chone’s_”Royal_Ploughing_Ceremony.”png

140. Life of Buddha
At The Ploughing Festival
070 At that time, in India the people knew that every
thing they need came from the soil and therefore, they
considered the tilling of the soil and the planting of food
crops as their most important event. This labor or work
would benefit themselves and their country. It is a yearly
practice that they have a special festival, the ploughing
festival, to start off the planting season.

141. India
Life of Buddha
Everyone Take Part In This Festival
A Pictorial Biography of Sakyamuni Buddha Page 029
Vietnam

142. Life of Buddha
Everyone Take Part In This Festival
071 Everyone including the king and ministers take part
in this annual festival. Thus in Kapilavastu, the end of
Summer marked the time for farmers to start tilling the
land. King Suddhodana and his ministers customarily led
the ploughing ceremony.

143. Sri Lanka
Life of Buddha
Prince Siddhartha Was Brought Along
A Pictorial Biography of Sakyamuni Buddha Page 030
China

144. Life of Buddha
Prince Siddhartha Was Brought Along
072 Every year this was a big festival. The people of the
city all came out to see the King ploughing the land, and
to enjoy the very colourful feast. On this day Prince
Siddhartha was also brought along to the ploughing
festival.

145. Life of Buddha
King Suddhodana Led The Ploughing
Ceremony
Sri Lanka
Europe
A Pictorial Biography of Sakyamuni Buddha Page 031

146. Life of Buddha
King Suddhodana Led The Ploughing
Ceremony
073 The king himself led the ploughing ceremony in the
field. He used a beautifully decorated golden plough. A
group of ministers followed him using beautifully
decorated silver ploughs. Finally the farmers followed
using their own ploughs. They worked on until the stiff
brown soil was loosen and part by part the huge field
was prepared for the sowing of the seeds.

147. Sri Lanka
Life of Buddha
The Prince Was Left Alone
A Pictorial Biography of Sakyamuni Buddha Page 032
Thailand

148. Life of Buddha
The Prince Was Left Alone
074 After sometime, the attendants of Prince Siddhartha
were distracted by the festivities. They forgot their duties
and began to enjoy the festival, leaving the Prince alone
under a shadily Rose Apple (Jambolan) tree. The prince
set down and quietly calmed his mind and began to
contemplate.

149. Life of Buddha
All Were Having A Good Time
Wat Olak Madu, Kg. Tengah, Kepala
Batas, Penang, Malaysia
Malaysia
http://www.photodharma.net/Malaysia/Wat-Olak-Madu/images/Wat-Olak-Madu-
00027.jpg

150. Life of Buddha
All Were Having A Good Time
075 "The King, the ministers and the people of
Kapilavastu and the farmers are all here for the Royal
Ploughing Festival, and now they are enjoying
themselves and having a good time". Thus sitting
under a Jambolan (Rose Apple) tree at the royal
plowing ceremony, the Bodhisattva attains First Jhana

151. Thailand
Life of Buddha
The Oxen Had To Work Hard

152. Life of Buddha
The Oxen Had To Work Hard
076 The prince saw the oxen whipped and were made to
use their physical strength to pull the ploughs to break
up the hard soil. The prince thought to himself, "While
the people are having a good time, the oxen had to work
hard".

153. Sri Lanka
Life of Buddha
He Saw The Oxen Whipped
India
Myanmar
A Pictorial Biography of Sakyamuni Buddha Page 033

154. Life of Buddha
He Saw The Oxen Whipped
077 “And if, occasionally, if they were to do something
not quite up to the expectations of their masters, they
would be scolded and whipped. The oxen did not seem to
be happy at all".

155. Life of Buddha
He Noticed The Chain Of Food
Sri Lanka
Siddhattha looks across the
fields and sees a snake eating a
lizard and an eagle about to eat
the snake. He is saddened by
this.
http://www.buddhamind.info/leftsid
e/arty/requiz/b-youth.htm
A Pictorial Biography of Sakyamuni Buddha Page 034

156. Life of Buddha
He Noticed The Chain Of Food
078 The prince also noticed the life activities of various
other creatures around him. He saw a lizard which was
crawling out from a crevice in the earth, catching and
eating ants. Shortly afterwards, a snake appeared, killed
the lizard and swallowed it.

157. Life of Buddha
Saw The Big Attacking The Small
Thailand
Life of Lord Buddha, # 13-728

158. Life of Buddha
Saw The Big Attacking The Small
079 Just at this moment, the prince was astonished to
see a hawk suddenly descend from the sky, seize the
snake, tear it apart and eat it.

159. Life of Buddha
He Saw That Things Are Not As It Appears
USA
The chain of food

160. Life of Buddha
He Saw That Things Are Not As It Appears
080 Prince Siddhartha again went into deeper thought and
began to question himself thus: "If things are like that, then
is it not the case that which is said to be beautiful in life, will
also hide ugliness behind it's back?

161. Thailand
Life of Buddha
The Prince Was Only Five Years Old
Gautama Buddha’s life, page 6

162. Life of Buddha
The Prince Was Only Five Years Old
081 At last the prince began to realize that although he
was very happy now there was however a kind of most
great suffering, that was always covering mankind and
all beings. At this time, the prince was only 5 years old.
Yet he was able to realize such conditions of the world.

163. England
Life of Buddha
He Had Such Profound Views.
India

164. Life of Buddha
He Had Such Profound Views.
082 Instead of enjoying the ploughing festival he was
having such profound views on life. Soon he started
contemplating. He concentrated on his breathing, now a
breath in, now a breath out.

165. Life of Buddha
The Prince Began To Realize.
Sri Lanka
Siddhattha looks across the fields and sees a
snake eating a lizard and an eagle about to eat the
snake. He is saddened by thism A Pictorial
Biography of Sakyamuni Buddha Page 035
India

166. Life of Buddha
The Prince Began To Realize.
083 Thus he attain to the state of non-differentiation
regarding all things and enter into the First Jhana. The
Prince's attendants who had forgotten their duties while
enjoying the celebrations suddenly realizing their duties
and returned to care for the Prince.

167. Singapore
Life of Buddha
The King Saluted The Prince.
Thailand

168. Life of Buddha
The King Saluted The Prince.
084 When his attendants returned to the Prince, they found
him sitting cross-legged and in a deep state of concentration.
They thought that this was very unusual and went to inform
the King. The King hearing of it, hurried to the spot and,
seeing the Prince in meditative posture was surprised. The
King put his palms together and saluted the Prince. The King
said, "This dear child, is my second obeisance".

169. Singapore
Life of Buddha
After The Festival.
Sri Lanka

170. Life of Buddha
After The Festival.
085 After the Ploughing Festival, the people of
Kapilavastu gathers to return to the city. The prince
returned with his father the King. On the way back the
prince was quiet and deep in thoughts. He was filled with
compassion for all living beings. This was because he
now realised that every single being in the course of
trying to keep itself alive, has to struggle constantly
against pain and suffering.

171. India
Life of Buddha
Life Of Luxury
Gautam Buddha’s Animated Life Story in English

172. Life of Buddha
Life Of Luxury.
086 The prince grew up in a life of luxury. He had
several maids to care for all his needs. He had his own
safe garden to play with the children of the other lords
and nobles from the palace. Even though there are many
children to play with, King Suddhodana noticed that most
of the time while the other children played the prince
would sit alone by himself deep in thought.

173. India
Life of Buddha
Swimming Pond
Gautam Buddha’s Animated Life Story in English

174. Life of Buddha
Swimming Pond
087 The garden is beautiful with green lawns and
wide open spaces. It even had a swimming pool with
servants to care for his safety while he plays in it. The
prince spend a lot of time in the swimming pool
during the hot season.

175. India
Life of Buddha
Loves Swimming
Gautam Buddha’s Animated Life Story in English

176. Life of Buddha
Loves Swimming
088 The prince loves the swimming pool and
spends time learning how to swim and playing in the
water. He even had a special swimming teacher to
teach him how to swim. The prince could swim very
well. He was not afraid of the water at all.

177. Thailand
Life of Buddha
The Prince's Teacher
Life Of Lord Buddha #6:728http://www.slideshare.net/TrongDorje/
life-of-lord-buddha-8049512

178. Life of Buddha
The Prince's Teacher
089 When he was able to start learning, at the age of
seven, King Suddhodana sent him to school. His
teacher at this young age was called Sarva Mitra. There
were many children in his class, all of them from noble
families.
http://www.freewebs.com/buddhaimages/110postures.htm

179. Tibet
Life of Buddha
Classroom Lessons
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxgkkkMdSJk The Buddha

180. Life of Buddha
Classroom Lessons
090 They were educated in the skills of reading,
composition, speech and mathematics. Prince
Siddhartha was superior to all the other students in his
class. It was apparent that the prince was clever and
hard working.
http://www.freewebs.com/buddhaimages/110postures.htm

181. Tibet
Life of Buddha
He Learned To Use The Sword
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxgkkkMdSJk The Buddha

182. Life of Buddha
He Learned To Use The Sword
091 When the Prince was about eight years old, the King
began to invite all kinds of masters to the palace to train
him. He learned how to use the sword, spear, archery,
horse riding, chariot driving and other arts of warfare.

183. Life of Buddha
He Learned Archery
Sri Lanka
http://www1.plala
.or.jp/choushou/e
den/INDEX1/b15.
htm
A Pictorial Biography of Sakyamuni Buddha Page 016

184. Life of Buddha
He Learned Archery.
092 The prince had his own bow. He was very good with
his bow and arrows. Since every one of his teachers was
an expert in his field, Prince Siddhartha completed his
studies with ease and thoroughness.

185. Japan
Life of Buddha
He Had The Best Teachers
http://www1.plala
.or.jp/choushou/e
den/INDEX1/b15.
htm

186. Life of Buddha
He Had The Best Teachers
093. All of Prince Siddhartha teachers were the
best teacher in their skill, the prince had the best
training and education. He had speed of progress
and level of accomplishment. Prince Siddhartha
was superior to all the other prince. It was
apparent that the prince was clever and hard
working.

187. Life of Buddha
The Prince Learned Princely Skills
Wat Olak
Madu, Kg.
Tengah,
Kepala Batas,
Penang,
Malaysia
http://www.photodharma.net/Malaysia/Wat-Olak-Madu/images/Wat-Olak-Madu-
00028.jpg

188. Life of Buddha
The Prince Learned Princely Skills
094. The people around him including his
teachers, father and uncles were surprised to see
the prince really had no difficulty in learning
anything. Once any skill or knowledge was
demonstrated or expounded, he immediately
understood, remembered and do not forget.

189. Vietnam
Life of Buddha
A Good Student.
Thailand

190. Life of Buddha
A Good Student.
095 When speed of progress and level of
accomplishment were considered, his superiority
over all the other princes was apparent. People,
including his teachers, father, and aunt, were really
surprised to see that prince Siddhartha really had
no difficulty at all in learning anything.

191. Thailand
Life of Buddha
He Was Named The Crown Prince
http://www1.plala
.or.jp/choushou/e
den/INDEX1/b15.
htm

192. Life of Buddha
He Was Named The Crown Prince.
096 Once any skill or knowledge was
demonstrated or expounded, he immediately
understood, remembered, and never forget it.
The Prince thus acquired great knowledge, and
progressed rapidly in his studies. Although
Siddhartha was still a child he was named the
Crown Prince and was heir to the throne of
Kapilavastu.

193. Nepal
Life of Buddha
Kantika, Chandaka and Siddhartha.
Gautam Buddha's Animated Life Story in English - Part 1

194. Life of Buddha
Kantika, Chandaka and Siddhartha.
097 He became widely acclaimed as a brilliant and
erudite scholar, and his reputation spread
throughout the land. His father presented him with
a handsome white horse called Kantika. The horse
care-taker named Chandaka became the prince’s
charioteer. Chandaka and Kantika were both born
on the same day as Prince Siddhartha.

195. Sri Lanka
Life of Buddha
Treated All With Respect.
A Pictorial Biography of Sakyamuni Buddha Page 017
Malaysia

196. Life of Buddha
Treated All With Respect.
098 Kind Suddhodana was immensely proud of his
son, and the Prince’s teachers were unsparing in
their praise of this extraordinary pupil. The prince
was such a clever pupil, he was well mannered
towards his teachers. He never behaved like a
spoiled kid. He never neglected to be helpful and
always treated all those around him with due
respect. The prince was also very smart.

197. Sri Lanka
Life of Buddha
He Showed Good Leadership
A Pictorial Biography of Sakyamuni Buddha Page 0015

198. Life of Buddha
He Showed Good Leadership.
099 The prince believed that only through the
instructions of teachers and elders, he could
acquire knowledge of great value. Besides, the
nature of the prince was such that he treated
everyone with equal geniality and politeness.
Prince Siddhartha accomplishment in physical
skills was no less than his virtue in conduct and
deportment. The prince was also courageous.

199. Life of Buddha
He Was Genial And Polite
Cambodia http://www.superstock.com/stock-photos-images/1606-128008

200. Life of Buddha
He Was Genial And Polite.
100 Besides being genial and polite He never
feared or hesitated when competing with other
boys in various skills. He was able to ride horses
and drive chariots skillfully. He was also good
when using his sword and his bow and arrows.