Reading Notes: Life of Buddha Part B

Siddhartha Leaves: The character Kanthaka is introduced in this story. I find him very interesting because he is described as a "magnificent animal". The prince asks the horse to share his strength and speed with him and then preceeds to ride him into the city with no intentions to return to Kapila.

Siddhartha the Hermit: In this story the hero says if he enters the hermitage it would be to destroy death and old age. My favorite part of this story was the quote, "unhappiness is born of desire." For some reason these words really stood out to me because of the deep meaning they hold.

Gopa and Suddhadona Grieve: Gopa is in despair in this story because the prince has disappeared from the palace. At the end of the story, the horse Kathaka falls dead.

Siddhartha and the King Vimbasara: In this story, the hero says, "desires are like poison." Throughout the entire story, desire is explained as an awful thing, which to some extent is very true. I think desire is a lot like temptation, which can be seen as an evil or wrongdoing.

Siddhartha Deserted by his First Disciples

The Tree of Knowledge: In this story, the Saint has a series of 5 dreams and I am left wondering what each of them means. In the end, the hero confesses his only goal is knowledge.

Siddhartha Becomes the Buddha: This story goes over the explanation of birth, death, and existence. The metaphor, "the Earth was like a great flower," stood out to me in this story. I think this mean that the Earth is constantly blooming into something greater, but you have to take care of it. At  the end Buddha comes to life for the first time.

(Photo from: Life of Buddha- Siddhartha Leaves by Andre Ferdinand Herold)  

Bibliography: Life of Buddha by Andre Ferdinand Herold