Lesson video

Hello, I'm Ms. Ramalli, and thank you for joining me for today's RE lesson.

I'll be guiding you through your learning today and my priority is to ensure that you successfully meet the learning outcome.

By the end of today's lesson, you will be able to explain the significance of key events from the life of the Buddha and how they influence Buddhists today.

To help guide you through your learning in today's lesson, there are five keywords.

They are ascetic, Buddha, enlightenment, the Four Sights, and Buddhahood.

Ascetic means a life free from worldly pleasures and involves giving up material possessions.

Buddha is an awakened or enlightened person.

Enlightenment refers to a state of wisdom that enables total clarity and understanding of the truths of existence.

The Four Sights, they refer to Siddhartha Gautama's experience of illness, old age, death, and a holy man.

And lastly, Buddhahood refers to reaching enlightenment.

In our lesson today on Gautama Buddha's life and its significance, there are three parts.

Siddhartha Gautama's early life, the acetic life and enlightenment, and the influence of Buddha's life on Buddhists today.

So let's begin with the first part of today's lesson, Siddhartha Gautama's early life.

The Buddha was a prince named Siddhartha Gautama.

He lived around the 6th century BCE in Lumbini, now Nepal.

He was influenced by Hindu beliefs which dominated the region in which he lived.

He was given the title of Buddha, meaning an awakened or enlightened person.

Many Buddhist texts, such as Buddhavamsa XXVI, that tell the story of the Buddha's life were written hundreds of years after he died.

Because of this, it can be hard to know what parts are factual information and what parts might be illustrative.

Some Buddhists interpret all the stories as factual and believe they actually happened.

Others see them as illustrative to teach them key truths.

Most Buddhists believe that the stories contain spiritual truths.

Okay, let's complete a check for understanding.

What is the meaning of the title the Buddha? A, the mythical person; B, the enlightened person; C, the inspirational person.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Well done to all of you that selected B.

The meaning of the title of the Buddha is the enlightened person.

We're going to explore the event of Queen Maya's dream, Siddhartha's birth, and Asita's prophecy.

Even before the birth of Siddhartha, it is said that there was signs he would be a significant individual.

The story of Siddhartha Gautama, later known as the Buddha, began with his mother, Queen Maya, who had a dream of a white elephant entering her womb.

The dream was interpreted as a sign her unborn child would be special and achieve perfect wisdom.

There were other stories that indicated Siddhartha was going to be significant.

According to the birth story, Siddhartha walked and talked immediately after birth.

Siddhartha was born in Lumbini, and as he took his first steps, lotus flowers appeared beneath his feet, symbolising his purity and greatness.

Shortly after Siddhartha was born, an astrologer named Asita made a prophecy.

The prophecy was significant because it predicted that Siddhartha would either become a great king or a revered holy man.

The prophecy worried Siddhartha's father, King Suddhodana.

He wanted his son to one day be king.

Let's complete a check for understanding based on what you have just heard.

What was the interpretation of Queen Maya's dream? A, her unborn child would achieve perfect wisdom.

B, her unborn child would be courageous.

C, her unborn child would be perfect and kind.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Welcome back, everybody, and well done to those of you that selected A as the correct answer.

The interpretation of Queen Maya's dream was that her unborn child would achieve perfect wisdom.

King Suddhodana went to great efforts to hide the truth about sadness, pain, and suffering from Siddhartha.

He wanted to avoid Siddhartha seeking truth in religion and risking him becoming an ascetic.

He kept him within the palace walls, surrounded with luxury, in the hope that he would never want to leave.

Siddhartha Gautama married and his wife gave birth to a son, Rahula.

They all lived in the palace.

Despite Siddhartha wanting for nothing, he became curious about the world beyond the palace walls.

Let's complete a check for understanding.

Select one reason why King Suddhodana wanted Siddhartha to remain in the palace.

A, he wanted him to spend time with friends and family.

B, he wanted him to be an ascetic.

C, he was worried the prophecy would come true.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Welcome back and well done to everybody that selected C, well done.

We're now going to hear about the Four Sights as recorded in Jataka 75.

Traditional Buddhist stories say that one night he left the palace with Channa, his chariot driver, and saw the Four Sights.

The story of the Four Sights can be found in the Jataka 75.

The first sight Siddhartha noticed was an elderly man with grey hair and wrinkled skin leaning on a stick.

Siddhartha was shocked.

He had never seen anyone look like this before.

Channa explains, "This man is old.

As people age, their bodies change and they become slower." Siddhartha was puzzled.

"Does this happen to everyone?" He asked.

"Yes, my prince," said Channa.

Siddhartha felt sad and confused.

He had never imagined that people grow old, and he wondered what other secrets the world held.

The second sight, illness.

As his chariot continued, he spotted a man sitting by the side of the road, coughing and groaning.

The man looked weak and pale, clutching his stomach in pain.

"What is wrong with him?" Siddhartha asked, worried.

Channa told him, "That man is ill.

Sometimes people get sick and it makes them feel weak or hurt." "But can this happen to anyone?" Asked Siddhartha, his heart heavy.

"Yes, sickness can come to anyone, even those who are strong and young." Siddhartha felt a pang of sadness.

He had never thought that people could suffer in such a way.

Why did things like this have to happen? The third sight, death.

By now, Siddhartha's heart was filled with questions he didn't know how to answer.

He continued on his journey, hoping to learn something that would help him understand.

In front of him, he saw a long, silent procession of people walking slowly down the road.

A funeral procession.

Some were crying and others held flowers.

They were carrying a small wooden platform with a covered body lying on it.

Siddhartha felt a shiver run down his spine.

"Who is that person? Why is everyone so sad?" He asked.

"That person has died, my prince," Channa explained quietly.

"Death comes to all of us eventually, and it is very sad for those who love them." Siddhartha felt a great weight in his heart.

He hadn't known that life came to an end.

He wondered, "Is there any way to escape these things?" Channa only shook his head.

Siddhartha grew very quiet, lost in the thought that life is impermanent.

The fourth sight, an ascetic.

Siddhartha went back to the palace feeling deeply troubled by all he had seen, but he still had one more question, so he went out again, hoping to find an answer.

This time he saw a man in simple clothes walking barefoot.

The man looked calm and peaceful even though he had no fine clothes or jewels like the people at the palace.

"Who is that?" Siddhartha asked, watching him curiously.

"That is an ascetic," Channa replied.

"He has given up all his belongings to search for wisdom and truth.

He believes that finding inner peace is more important than having riches." Siddhartha was fascinated.

This man had none of the things that Siddhartha thought made people happy, yet he looked content and peaceful.

Siddhartha wondered if this holy man had discovered the secret to overcoming sadness and fear.

When Siddhartha returned to the palace, he realised that he wanted to learn more about finding peace, just like the ascetic.

He had seen four sights that changed him forever.

Old age, illness, death, and the search for truth.

And from that day on, Siddhartha knew he would leave the palace one day to seek answers to the truth about life.

Okay, let's just consider then for a moment, why was seeing the Four Sights significant for Siddhartha? Well, they were significant for several reasons, including he realised that old age, sickness, and death affects everyone.

They made him question his princely life.

He was inspired by the ascetic to seek peace.

He then wanted to seek the truth about life and how to overcome suffering.

Okay, let's pause for a moment and complete a check for understanding.

Which one of the following is not one of the Four Sights? A, the old man.

B, the sick man.

C, the blind man.

D, the acetic.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

And well done to everybody that said C was not one of the Four Sights.

The blind man was not one of the Four Sights.

Okay, so now we're gonna complete our first practise task on Siddhartha Gautama's early life.

I would like you to explain two reasons why the Four Sights were significant for Siddhartha Gautama.

And I've given you some guidance on how to structure your answer.

So first of all, if you could make a point by giving one reason that the Four Sights were significant, and then I'd like you to develop that point by explaining the impact this sight had on Siddhartha.

But the question asks you to give two reasons, so I'd like you to give a second reason that the Four Sights were significant, and then develop that point by explaining the impact this sight had on Siddhartha.

So this is good exam technique here, to make a point and develop it.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Okay, welcome back, everybody.

Time to check your answers.

So I asked you to explain two reasons why the Four Sights were significant for Siddhartha Gautama.

Your answer may include these points.

The sight of death was significant for Siddhartha Gautama because he didn't realise that life was impermanent and that eventually people die.

This impacted Siddhartha because it made him question his life and the truth that had been hidden from him.

The sight of the ascetic was significant because the ascetic had none of the things that Siddhartha thought made people happy, yet he looked content and peaceful.

This made Siddhartha question his princely existence and inspired him to search for peace.

Well done on completing the first practise task.

So now we're gonna move on to the second part of our lesson and we're going to learn about the ascetic life and enlightenment.

Inspired by the ascetic, Siddhartha left the palace to seek truth.

Once Siddhartha had witnessed the Four Sights and was inspired by the ascetic who had appeared at peace, his focus became the search for the causes of suffering.

Determined to find the truth, Siddhartha left his palace and family behind to live as an ascetic.

He lived as an ascetic for six years.

An ascetic life often has the aim of pursuing religious and spiritual goals.

He practised extreme self-denial, fasted for long periods of time, and meditated for years in search of enlightenment.

One day, Siddhartha was bathing in the river when he saw a girl who was looking after a herd of sheep for her father.

The girl offered Siddhartha a bowl of milk and rice, and Siddhartha accepted because he was so weak and hungry.

Siddhartha felt much better after eating the bowl of milk and rice.

He realised that fasting had not brought him any closer to finding the truth towards the causes of suffering.

After six years, Siddhartha rejected his life as an ascetic.

This event was significant because he realised that living life to extremes, extreme luxury and asceticism, had not led to the answer to suffering.

This led to the development of the Middle Way.

Siddhartha meditated under a Bodhi tree where he faced distractions from the demon Mara.

Remaining focused, he eventually achieved enlightenment, gaining a deep understanding of the nature of suffering and how to overcome it.

This event was significant because he achieved the state of Buddhahood.

He discovered the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path which became the foundation of his teachings.

Siddhartha, now known as the Buddha, returned to the five ascetics to tell them all he had learn.

Time to complete a check for understanding.

Which of the following is the meaning of an ascetic life? A, a life free from worldly pleasures, involving giving up material possessions.

B, a state of wisdom that enables total clarity and understanding of the truths of existence.

C, a life filled with worldly pleasures and material possessions.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to see the correct answer.

Okay, welcome back and well done to everybody that said A was the correct answer.

The meaning of an ascetic life is living a life free from worldly pleasures, involving giving up material possessions.

Next, let's check your understanding of the meaning of enlightenment.

Which of the following is the meaning of enlightenment? A, an awakened or enlightened person.

B, a state of wisdom that enables total clarity and understanding of the truths of existence.

Or C, a state of ignorance about life's truths.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

And well done to everybody that said B was the correct answer.

The meaning of enlightenment is a state of wisdom that enables total clarity and understanding of the truths of existence.

Attaining enlightenment.

So here is a quote from the Jataka tales.

It says, "Let only my sin, sinews, and bone remain, and let the flesh and blood in my body dry up.

But not until I attain this supreme enlightenment will I give up this seat of meditation." What does this teach Buddhists about Siddhartha Gautama's goal to achieve enlightenment? Pause the video here and have a discussion with your partner or think to yourself or speak to me about what you think this teaches Buddhists.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Okay, welcome back, everybody.

So what did you think this teaches Buddhists about Siddhartha Gautama's goal to achieve enlightenment? Well, this shows profound determination to attain enlightenment.

Siddhartha is willing to endure extreme hardship, even to the point of his body withering away.

The Buddha wanted to help others achieve enlightenment, and this was significant because he established the Sangha to do this.

The Sangha is a community of monks, nuns, and followers who follow his dharma, his teachings.

Through his wisdom, the Buddha inspired millions and his teachings continue to guide people on the path to enlightenment today.

Okay, time to complete our second practise task.

I would like you to explain two reasons why the Buddha's enlightenment was significant.

And here I've given you some guidance on how you might like to approach answering this question.

So, first of all, if you make a point by giving one reason the Buddha's enlightenment was significant, and remember, developing that point is good exam technique.

So your second point could be a reason why the Buddha's enlightenment was significant, so a second reason the Buddha's enlightenment was significant.

And then a development of that point would be to consider, well, explain the impact of this knowledge.

Okay, good luck on the task.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to check your answers.

Okay, welcome back, everybody.

So let's check your answers for that practise task.

So I asked you to explain two reasons why the Buddha's enlightenment was significant.

So your answer may include the following points.

One reason the Buddha's enlightenment was significant is because he understood the true nature of suffering.

This helped him to overcome it by following the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.

A second reason it was significant is because the Buddha achieved the state of Buddhahood.

He returned to the ascetics to teach them what she had discovered, and this marked the beginning of the Sangha, the wider Buddhist community.

So note here that there are two separate reasons and both of those reasons have been developed.

Well done on all your hard work completing that practise task.

So that moves us on to the third and final part of our lesson, and we're gonna consider what is the influence of Buddha's life on Buddhists today.

Linn is a practising Buddhist and she explains how the Buddha's life influences her life in the UK.

Linn says, "The Buddha's life influences me to live according to the Middle Way.

For example, I know I must spend time completing my homework, but it cannot take all of my spare time.

I also need time with my friends and family.

I try hard to live a balanced lifestyle and avoid extreme ways of living." Roshan is a practising British Buddhist and he explains which of the Buddha's life events influences him the most.

Roshan says, "The Four Sights influence me the most because it reminds me that all people are affected by sickness, old age, and death.

This is a reminder for me that nothing lasts forever and that it is important to live in the present moment." Okay, let's complete a check for understanding.

Which of the following might influence how a Buddhist lives today? A, living a life of luxury.

B, living the ascetic lifestyle.

Or C, living the Middle Way.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Welcome back and well done to everybody that selected C as the correct answer.

Tashi, a practising British Buddhist, explains which of the Buddha's life events influences her life the most.

Tashi says, "The Buddha's life influences me a lot, especially when I'm trying to meditate.

I know that the Buddha also faced distractions when meditating.

I do too, especially if I'm hungry or tired.

I remind myself that the Buddha kept his focus and determination to attain enlightenment, and this influences me by keeping me focused when I meditate." Okay, let's just check your understanding of what we have just heard.

Which of the following practise might a Buddhist adopt today? A, performing meditation; B, singing hymns; or C performing wudu.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Okay, well done to everybody that selected A.

Performing meditation might be a practise that Buddhists adopt today.

Okay, so now it's time to complete the third and final practise task, this one being on the influence of Buddha's life on Buddhists today.

So here on your screen you have a statement that reads, "The most significant event in the Buddha's life was the Four Sights." In your answer, you should refer to Buddha's teachings and give a reasoned argument to support a different point of view.

Alex has written the first part of his answer and I would like you to provide an alternative view.

Alex says, "Many Buddhists would agree that the Four Sights were the most significant event in the life of the Buddha.

This is because the Buddha left behind his life of luxury to seek the truth about suffering and how to overcome it." So what you need to do now is to provide an alternative point of view to Alex's remembering to include Buddha's teachings.

Good luck completing the practise task.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Okay, welcome back, everybody.

So here was the statement that you were considering.

"The most significant event in the Buddha's life was the Four Sights." And I asked you to provide an alternative view to the one that Alex gave.

Your answer may include these points.

"Some Buddhists may argue that the most significant event in his life was his enlightenment.

In the Jataka, the Buddha stated, 'But not until I attain the supreme enlightenment will I give up this seat of meditation.

' Now, this quote from the Buddha highlights his determination to attain enlightenment, therefore showing how significant this event is.

Enlightenment is also significant because he gained a deeper understanding of the nature of suffering and how to overcome it." Fantastic, well done on all your hard work completing that practise task.

So that brings us to the end of today's lesson on Gautama Buddha's life and its significance.

So what key points have we learned in today's lesson? There are divergent beliefs about whether the life story of the Buddha is factual or illustrative.

Before and after birth, there were signs that Siddhartha Gautama would be significant.

Siddhartha gave up his life of luxury with his wife after seeing the Four Sights, sickness, old age, death, and an ascetic.

Siddhartha eventually reached enlightenment and achieved the state of Buddhahood.

And Siddhartha's life influences Buddhists today, for example, by encouraging them to lead a life according to the Middle Way.

Well done on all your hard work in today's lesson and thank you for joining me.