Page 39 - Popular Deities of Chinese Buddhism (Illustrated) and Symbols

Initially the Buddha was hesistant to reach out to teach the

Truth because he felt that the world being caught up in the pas-

sion and darkness of Samsara will find it difficult to accept the

truth of his teachings. However, due to his great compassion and

his realisation that man exists at different levels of spiritual de-

velopment he decided to reach out and set in motion, the Wheel

of Truth, which is depicted by the ‘mudra’ or hand-signs of the

fingers as shown in the illustration.

e Buddha spent his remaining forty five years travelling all

over India, teaching the Dharma and living in the manner of a

begging monk. He formed the first monastic Order in the world

which is known as the Sangha and his most notable disciples in-

cluded Sariputra, Mahakasyapa, Mogallana, Subuti and his per-

sonal attendant and cousin, Ananda. His followers were people

from all walks of life which included kings, princes, ministers,

ascetics, brahmins and commoners. He taught them according

to their ability to learn, with parables and through questions

and answers applying all suitable means to aid them to spiritual

growth. He did not demand blind faith, but adopted the unusual

“come and experience for yourself” attitude which won the hearts

of thousands. His was the path of self-reliance which required

unswerving personal effort.

e Buddha also converted his father, his family, and a large

number of the Sakyan people. At the urging of his close disciple

Ananda, he formed the first Order of Nuns and his foster mother,

Queen Mahaprajapati, and a large number of her friends became

the first members of the Order.

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