Buddha – A Different Perspective
While I was doing some web project in Lampung, I read one Chopra’s book, titled Buddha, a Story of Enlightment. I have read some Deepak Chopra’s book before, including his best seller “The Book of Secrets: Unlocking the Hidden Dimensions of your Life”.
Despite any philosophical and theological discussions in the book, this book stated fairly simple conclusion : Looking at Buddha with his all humanity.
From Prince to A Truth Finder
Born as a prince, it’s easy to imagine what Siddhartha (Buddha’s original name) life was. Surrounding with palace luxury and obedient servants that would give their lives for him, his life is full of enjoyment. Even his father, king Suddhodhana , had planned to remove all things that would be a risk if Siddharta sees : the poor, the sick, and the old people were instructed to move to a special place called “The King’s Town”. It’s built so Siddharta didn’t see any sickness, poor and old people around his kingdom.
His friendship with a son of King’s horseman, Channa, gave him a different view on social structure at that time. Channa is a sudra, the lowest structure in Hinduism. But yet, friendship with Channa -and also his love romance with Sujata, a palace servant, assure Siddharta that there was something wrong with what he believed at that time. This become some unanswered questions, beside others, that become one of motivation he became a truth finder.
The Enlighment
Day by day, the questions has become a heavy burden to Siddharta, and after all things he needed to consider, he decided to find the truth. So he left his kingdom, wife and son, and began the path of a finder.
Chopra wrote this chapter very well to describe Siddharta experience. Siddharta then changed his name to Gautama, a common name that people used. He then learned from several teachers, before realized that he had to find the answer himself.
So the story goes. At the Himalaya, under a tree (later called Bodhi tree), Siddartha finally got his answered to all his questions before. Thus, he got enlightment and become a Buddha.
Buddha and The Teachings
Once Buddha says: “ Those who see me, then see my teachings. And those who see my teachings, will see me.” I am not in a role to discuss Buddha’s Teaching, as I am not authorized to. But as an spiritual enthusiast individuals, I am seeing that his teachings is universal to human kind.
Buddha talks about Nirvana, a virtually heaven that you can achieve after you release all of your link to this world. So, your nirvana can be a a luxury house in a tropical Island, a huge deposit in banks, or simply a boutique harem where you can spoil your ladies.
My Nirvana? Of course, it’s not Kurt Cobain. My nirvana is simply a slight of love from The True Lover.
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You right!Buddha’s teaching is so universal. he taught all about kindness. He wants human to be good to achieve what we call nirvana. Just release all about lux and down to earth. My friend who convert into Buddhist explain his reason why he became buddhist. Simple, less ritual, learn us to be good but now he convert to others. What a..?????? Just enjoy the life
— aisai kirey Jul 15, 04:22 PM #