I did read another version of Buddha story some weeks in the past, but I really wanted to discover more about this fascinating Indian epic character. I have grown up in a Buddhist household, but I didn't learn much about the details and who Buddha truly was although I was attending the temple.
So I decided to read another version of Life of Buddha story, narrated by Herold. Although the characters were essentially same, but how the stories were told was completely different. The particular plot in the story that I didn't read in the previous version was the Asita's prediction part.
It's interesting how both Buddhism and Hinduism, which both originated in India, have the same goal: to overcome the cycle of re-birth. And Buddha in the story was the one who would eventually overcome such unfortunate cycle.
Wow this is such a powerful prediction by Asita:"This has happened to you, O noble, generous and hospitable king, because you love duty and because you are ever kind to those who are wise and to those who are full of years. This has happened to you because your ancestors, though rich in land
and rich in gold, were above all rich in virtue. Know the reason for my coming, O king, and rejoice. In the air I heard a divine voice speaking and it said: 'A son has been born to the king of the Sakyas, a son who will have the true knowledge.' I heard these words, and I came, and my eyes shall now behold the glory of the Sakyas." This basically meant that Buddha would be the one that would gain the secret, ultimate knowledge and overcome the cycle of re-birth."
I knew how Buddha was meant to bring joy to his father, but the way Asita talked about his son sounded somewhat improper to me. He didn't tell King Suddhodana about the years of countless struggles that Buddha would be faced with and instead just told him the result of his struggles. I've always thought Buddha had a tough life like other religious disciples.
Also, this is true about Buddha's later journey and discovery of truth: "What I have told you is true: this child will know great glory. If I weep, it is for myself. My life draws to a close and he is born, he who will destroy the evil of rebirth. He will surrender sovereign power, he will master his passions, he will understand truth, and error will disappear in the world before the light of his knowledge, even as night flees before the spears of the sun." This prediction of Asita still wasn't enough for me to be convinced that he predicted Buddha's struggling life accurately. Nonetheless, I really like how Asita narrated his predictions of Buddha in such poetic manner. A rich figurative language was used and the language he used was creative and highly imaginative.
Bibliography:
The Life of Buddha. Andre Ferdinand Herold (1922).
So I decided to read another version of Life of Buddha story, narrated by Herold. Although the characters were essentially same, but how the stories were told was completely different. The particular plot in the story that I didn't read in the previous version was the Asita's prediction part.
It's interesting how both Buddhism and Hinduism, which both originated in India, have the same goal: to overcome the cycle of re-birth. And Buddha in the story was the one who would eventually overcome such unfortunate cycle.
Wow this is such a powerful prediction by Asita:"This has happened to you, O noble, generous and hospitable king, because you love duty and because you are ever kind to those who are wise and to those who are full of years. This has happened to you because your ancestors, though rich in land
and rich in gold, were above all rich in virtue. Know the reason for my coming, O king, and rejoice. In the air I heard a divine voice speaking and it said: 'A son has been born to the king of the Sakyas, a son who will have the true knowledge.' I heard these words, and I came, and my eyes shall now behold the glory of the Sakyas." This basically meant that Buddha would be the one that would gain the secret, ultimate knowledge and overcome the cycle of re-birth."
I knew how Buddha was meant to bring joy to his father, but the way Asita talked about his son sounded somewhat improper to me. He didn't tell King Suddhodana about the years of countless struggles that Buddha would be faced with and instead just told him the result of his struggles. I've always thought Buddha had a tough life like other religious disciples.
Also, this is true about Buddha's later journey and discovery of truth: "What I have told you is true: this child will know great glory. If I weep, it is for myself. My life draws to a close and he is born, he who will destroy the evil of rebirth. He will surrender sovereign power, he will master his passions, he will understand truth, and error will disappear in the world before the light of his knowledge, even as night flees before the spears of the sun." This prediction of Asita still wasn't enough for me to be convinced that he predicted Buddha's struggling life accurately. Nonetheless, I really like how Asita narrated his predictions of Buddha in such poetic manner. A rich figurative language was used and the language he used was creative and highly imaginative.
Buddha and the demons. Source: Buddha and Mara's demons
Bibliography:
The Life of Buddha. Andre Ferdinand Herold (1922).
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