Page 52 - SST Class 06
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The gigantic statue of the Jain monk Siddhartha lost his mother Maya when he was
Gomateshvara in Sravanabelagola (Karnataka) is just 7 days old. He was brought up by his step-
an outstanding example of Jain art. Often, Jain mother. An astrologer had predicted that at some
monks lived in monasteries that were caves dug point of his life, Siddhartha would see four
out or scooped out of a rocky hill in the forest. different things that would make him sad and
Jain temples are seen in many parts of India. prompt him to become an ascetic. To prevent this
Some of these temples are made of white marble from happening, Siddhartha's father kept him in
and bear minute carvings. The Dilwara Temple at comfortable palaces where he would never see
Mt Abu has been described as ‘a dream in the poverty and suffering of the common masses.
marble’. In course of time, Siddhartha married Yashodara.
They had a son named Rahul.
One day, Siddhartha saw an old man, a sick
man, a dead body and an ascetic. As per the
prediction of the astrologer, these four sights
changed Siddhartha's life. He was moved by the
suffering of the people and wanted to pray for
their welfare. Thus, at the age of 29 years, he
became a wandering monk.
After 7 years, while meditating under a pipal tree
at Bodh Gya, Siddhartha attained supreme
The Dilwara Temple, Mt Abu knowledge on enlightenment. From that
moments, he was called Buddha (the Enlightened
GAUTAMA BUDDHA AND BUDDHISM
One) or Sakya Muni (Sage of the Sakya clan).
Siddhartha who was later known as Gautama
Buddha delivered his first sermons at a place
Buddha was contemporary of Mahavira.
called Sarnath near Banaras (Varanasi). He was
Siddhartha was born in 563 BCE. In Lumbini
very strong and could walk even 30 km on a
forest near Kapilavastu in the foothills of Nepal.
single day. He travelled to many places in north
His father was Shuddhodana, a Sakya chieftain
India. He passed away at age of 80 in Kusinagar
of Kapilavastu.
in Uttar Pradesh.
We learn about Buddha, his teachings and ideas
from simple stories. Here is one story.
Teaching of Buddhism
Buddha strongly believed that our present actions
(karma), whether good of bad, affect our future.
He said that people suffer on account of their
desire. If they conquer desire, then they can
attain nirvana or freedom from the cycle of birth
and death. Buddha preached non-violence and
was opposed to animal sacrifices. He recom-
mended an eightfold path (astangika marga) for
Gautama Buddha
his followers. The teachings of this eightfold path
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