How to Venerate Siddhartha Gautama
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How to Venerate Siddhartha Gautama
Introduction
Known as the founder of Buddhism in India, Siddhartha Gautama was a prince until he was 29 years old, at which point he decided to live a life of asceticism. After achieving enlightenment when he was 35, he traveled with his monks and nuns spreading his teachings. Here's how you can venerate Siddhartha Gautama.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderate
Steps
1
Step One
Read Siddhartha Gautama's biography. Herman Hesse wrote a beautiful novel based on the Buddha's life called "Siddhartha." Also check out the e-books written about his life on Buddha Net (see link in Resources).
2
Step Two
Choose the Middle Way in living your life. Siddhartha Gautama learned through experience that neither luxury nor asceticism is the way to enlightenment. A modest lifestyle lets you concentrate on spirituality.
3
Step Three
Follow the Four Noble Truths. Recognize suffering, minimize attachment and desire and follow the Noble Eightfold Path as taught by the Buddha.
4
Step Four
Learn what right understanding, effort, speech, thought, action, livelihood, mindfulness and concentration are in the Buddhist tradition. The best way to honor the Buddha is to live by his teachings.
5
Step Five
Make a pilgrimage to holy Buddhist places. Bodh Gaya is where Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment. Visit Kapilavatthu, the town of his youth, and Savatthi, where he spent the last 20 years of his life.
6
Step Six
Visit figures of the Buddha wherever you travel. His influence stretches through India, China, Thailand, Laos and other countries which are open to tourists. Be inspired by the many depictions of this wise teacher.
7
Step Seven
Spread Siddhartha Gautama's teachings. He had wise things to say about life and human nature that non-Buddhist's can appreciate.
Tips & Warnings
- When traveling to places where Siddhartha Gautama made speeches, take a photocopy of the speech with you and read it at the site for an inspirational experience.
- Make your pilgrimage between November and February to avoid monsoon season and uncomfortable summer weather.