Born as human
Conferred as Mahatma
Referred as God
Introduction to Untold Story of Buddha
Many of us are familiar with the profound teachings and inspiring stories surrounding Mahatma Buddha. Today, I’d like to share some unique incidents and experiences that occurred with and around him.
Mahatma Buddha, also known as Siddhartha Gautama, was born around 563 BCE in Lumbini, present-day Nepal. He was born into a royal family, the son of King Śuddhodana and Queen Mahamaya. His childhood was marked by luxury and privilege, shielded from the harsh realities of the world.However, as he grew older, he became increasingly aware of human suffering, prompting him to embark on a spiritual quest that ultimately led to his enlightenment and the founding of Buddhism.
The philosophy of Buddha is deeply rational and has had a profound global influence . He sacrificed his home, family, and wealthy lifestyle in search of knowledge. He finally attained enlightenment under a peepal tree in Gaya, which is known as Bodh Gaya.
After Buddha passed away, there was a profound sense of emptiness, which his followers filled through his philosophy and teachings. In fact, his remains became so significant for people who could not meet Buddha in person.
WHO WAS ANAND ?
Anand was the last disciple of Buddha who attained the lesson of enlightenment from him. He has played a major role at the last stage of Buddha before the demise. Buddha grew older and asked for personal attendant As Mahatma Buddha turned 60, he sought a personal attendant to be with him at all times as he grew older. Upon hearing this, all the disciples became curious and offered themselves for the role. However, to everyone’s surprise, one disciple, Anand, remained silent. When asked, he explained that he could fulfill the role but had three conditions that needed to be fulfilled.
The three conditions narrated by Anand
- “Lord, if I receive an invitation and choose to accept it, then you must accept it as well; otherwise, no one will regard me as important.”
- ”Lord, you shall not share your food with me, as I do not wish for anyone to assume that I am performing this duty for the sake of delicious meals.”
- “Lord, you will not take me everywhere you go, nor will you provide me with clothing. I shall wear donated garments, for I seek no worldly pleasures.”
The days passed and suddenly one day Buddha asked a strange question from Anand.
The question
Buddha: Should I live till eternal or should I sacrifice my body? Anand did not answer the question. In response, Buddha smiled and sent him outside.
Time passed, the conflict between the thought of living eternally and attaining mahaparinirvana (nirvana after death) continued in Buddha’s mind.
Buddha turned 80 and decided to attain MAHAPARINIRVANA
When he turned 89 he decided to attain mahaparinirvana but considered his responsibility to give last blessing to the monks. He knew the world would shatter if after his demise but still stood strong with his decision.
The day arrived when he announced that his body has supported him for 80 years and ultimately it has to decay someday. He decided to accept mahaparinirvana within three months.
THE MASS WAS SHATTERED BY BUDDHA’S DECISION
Buddha decided to walk towards the west, where the sun sets, and the entire city followed him. Despite Buddha’s repeated pleas for them to return, the masses were shattered by the thought of Mahatma’s departure, so they refused to go back. Consequently, Buddha gave his devotees a memento: the begging bowl that he had carried with himself for the last 45 years. To this day, one can still find the stupa marking the location where this incident occurred. It is believed that the begging bowl is still present in the Stupa.
THE END WAS NEAR AS DECIDED BUT WHAT OR WHO WAS GOING TO BECOME THE MEDIUM TO DEATH?
Mahatma Buddha arrived at a mango garden where he encountered one of his devotees named Chunda. Gautam Buddha asked Chunda to prepare a meal for him. Excitedly, Chunda prepared a variety of dishes for the Lord. When the meal was presented to him, the Mahatma immediately realized that one of the dishes, called ‘sukarmaddava,’ was indigestible for anyone in this world. Nevertheless, he decided to consume it. After eating sukarmaddava, he began to bleed profusely. He immediately instructed Chunda not to serve the dish to anyone else, and if any remained, it should be buried in the ground.
WHAT DID THE DISH MADE OF?
The nature of the dish remained a mystery. However, it was assumed that the dish contained either swine or mushrooms, but no evidence was found to support this assumption.
WHAT DID BUDDHA SAY TO CHUNDA?
Chunda felt extremely guilty after seeing Buddha’s condition. The Mahatma calmly reassured him by saying, “You are even dearer to me than before. You were the medium through which what was supposed to happen occurred. In fact, two meals hold great significance in my life: first, the meal offered by Sujata, through which I attained enlightenment, and second, the meal served by you, through which I am attaining Mahaparinirvana.”
MAHAPARINIRVANA
Mahatma Buddha headed to Kushinara and announced that he would attain Mahaparinirvana later that night. The disciples felt very sad but couldn’t argue against Buddha’s decision. Mahatma went to the Sam forest where his bed was spread by his devotees.
THE MAHAPARINIRVANA POSITION
Image source by https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parinirvana
Mahatma Buddha laid down with his head facing northward and face eastward.. One of his hands were placed below his head. This posture of his is renowned the world over as the posture of the Mahaparinirvana.
WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE WITH THE BODY AFTER MAHAPARINIRVANA?
Anand asked Buddha what should be done with the body after Mahaparinirvana and how the last rites should be performed. Buddha politely answered, “Do the same thing with my corpse as you would have done with a king’s corpse.” The devotees pondered this and followed the clue, taking the example of Raja Dashratha, whose body was preserved in an oil-filled wooden box as he wanted to wait for his son Bharat for the last rituals. It seemed that Buddha too was expecting someone for the last rites.
MAHAPARINIRVANA WAS MAGICAL
After Mahaparinirvana, earthquake arrived, the Sal tree got fiiled with flowers and the flowers completely covered Mahatma Buddha’s corpse. Surprisingly, it was that time of the year where the flowers did not used to appear. It was the last tribute to Mahatma Buddha.
Whom was Mahatma Buddha expecting to perform his last rites ?
Several attempts were made by Mahatma Buddha’s friend, Maha, to light the body, but every attempt failed. Later, it was observed that Mahakashyap, along with his 500 monks, arrived, and the mystery was solved: Mahatma Buddha wanted Mahakashyap to perform the last rites.
How were the last rites performed by Mahakashyap?
Even before he could light the pyre, it lighted up on his own. At that very moment, it started to rain. Lord’s skull bone, four teeth ,2 shoulder bones, ashes and crystals were left behind.
Though Mahatma Buddha’s physical form departed, his teachings illuminated the entire world.
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