Free Buddhist Audio Who is the Buddha?
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May 4, 2024 
Sangharakshita, a prominent Buddhist teacher and the founder of the Triratna Buddhist Community, dives into the life of Siddhartha Gautama. He discusses how formative experiences with aging and death sparked Siddhartha’s quest for enlightenment. The talk challenges listeners to look beyond traditional biographical accounts and reflect on the true essence of the Buddha. Sangharakshita urges a deeper understanding that transcends labels, promoting the idea of recognizing the unconditioned mind through genuine spiritual practice.
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Buddha Is A Title, Not A Name
- 'Buddha' is a title meaning 'one who knows' or 'the awakened one', not a personal name.
- The historical figure called Buddha was Siddhartha Gautama, born ~500 BCE in the India/Nepal border region.
The Four Sights That Sparked His Quest
- Siddhartha saw four sights—old age, sickness, death, and a wandering holy man—that triggered his spiritual crisis.
- He left his family that night, became a homeless seeker, and pursued truth through austerities then meditation.
Give Up Methods That Fail
- Try then-test approaches: pursue a method and honestly assess its results instead of clinging to reputation.
- Abandon practices that clearly don't lead to insight, even if they win fame or followers.