The Origin of Buddhism: From Prince Siddhartha to the Enlightened Buddha

The Prince's Birth and Luxurious Life: A Prelude to Awakening

Prince Siddhartha was born into a royal family; his father, King Śuddhodana, was the king of Kapilavastu. Legend has it that Prince Siddhartha's birth was accompanied by various auspicious signs, foretelling his extraordinary destiny. King Śuddhodana had high hopes for him, wishing him to inherit the throne and become a great monarch. Therefore, Prince Siddhartha lived in luxury from a young age, enjoying all the splendors of the world.

To prevent Prince Siddhartha from encountering the sufferings of birth, old age, sickness, and death, King Śuddhodana deliberately kept him protected within the palace, allowing him to lead a carefree life. However, fate arranged for this pampered prince to gradually see the other side of the real world.

The Four Sights: The Shock of Life's Truth

As he grew older, Prince Siddhartha developed a strong curiosity about the world beyond the palace walls. He asked King Śuddhodana for permission to travel outside. During four excursions, he encountered an old man, a sick man, a corpse, and an ascetic.

This experience of the "Four Sights" profoundly shook Prince Siddhartha's heart. For the first time, he realized that no one, whether a prince or a commoner, could escape the suffering of birth, old age, sickness, and death. He began to ponder: What is the meaning of life? How can one be free from this suffering?

Renouncing the Throne to Embark on a Spiritual Quest: The Search for Liberation

The excursions made Prince Siddhartha lose interest in the luxurious royal life. He understood that material pleasures could not bring true liberation. Thus, on a quiet night, he resolutely renounced his throne, wife, and newborn son, left the palace, and embarked on a journey to seek the path of liberation. He was 29 years old.

Prince Siddhartha first visited renowned ascetics of the time, learning various methods of meditation and asceticism. He practiced austerities for six years, becoming extremely weak, but still did not find the path to liberation. He realized that extreme asceticism could not lead to true enlightenment.

Enlightenment Under the Bodhi Tree: The Discovery of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path

After giving up asceticism, Prince Siddhartha sat in meditation under a Bodhi tree. He vowed not to rise until he achieved enlightenment. After forty-nine days of meditation, at dawn, he saw the morning star and attained enlightenment, achieving supreme, perfect awakening and becoming the "Buddha" — the enlightened one.

Under the Bodhi tree, the Buddha realized the truth of the universe and life, the core of which are the "Four Noble Truths" and the "Eightfold Path."

• The Four Noble Truths: Dukkha (suffering), Samudāya (the origin of suffering), Nirodha (the cessation of suffering), and Magga (the path to the cessation of suffering). They reveal the nature of life's suffering, its cause, the possibility of its cessation, and the way to achieve it.
• The Eightfold Path: Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration. These are the eight practices leading to liberation.

The First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma, the Birth of Buddhism: The Spread of the Dharma

After his enlightenment, the Buddha did not enjoy the bliss of liberation alone but began his journey of teaching. In the Deer Park at Sarnath, he preached the "Four Noble Truths" and the "Eightfold Path" to his five former companions in asceticism. This is known in Buddhist history as the "First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma," marking the official birth of Buddhism.

From then on, the Buddha traveled throughout India, teaching the Dharma to guide all beings away from suffering and toward happiness. His teachings attracted countless followers, including kings, nobles, merchants, and commoners. The Buddhist Sangha (monastic community) was gradually established, laying the foundation for the transmission of the Dharma.

The Development of Buddhism in Japan and Taiwan

Buddhism later spread to other parts of Asia via the Silk Road and sea routes. Buddhism was introduced to Japan from China via the Korean Peninsula around the 6th to 7th centuries. Over time, many schools with unique local characteristics developed, such as Tendai, Shingon, Jōdo (Pure Land), Zen, and Nichiren. Japanese Buddhism has had a profound impact on its culture, with its influence visible in religion, literature, art, architecture, and daily life.

The earliest traces of Buddhism in Taiwan date back to the Ming-Zheng period, but it flourished during the Japanese colonial period. At that time, a large number of Buddhist schools from Japan, such as Shingon, Jōdo, and Sōtō Zen, came to Taiwan to proselytize, deeply influencing Taiwanese Buddhism. After the war, the arrival of many Buddhist figures from mainland China brought different schools and traditions, creating a diverse and eclectic Buddhist landscape in Taiwan. Taiwan has a large number of Buddhists, and Buddhism has deeply influenced its society and culture, including in areas like philanthropy, environmental protection, and hospice care. It can be said to be one of the most vibrant regions for Buddhist development outside of Japan.

The Wisdom Light of the Dharma

The Buddha's enlightenment lit a lamp of wisdom for humanity. His teachings have transcended the boundaries of time, space, and culture, guiding countless people on the path to liberation. Whether in Taiwan or elsewhere in the world, the wisdom light of the Dharma will continue to illuminate people's hearts and guide us toward a better future.