EN9–12कहानी का पूर्वावलोकन
Siddhartha and the Bodhi Tree
Page 1: More than 2,500 years ago, in Lumbini, near today’s Nepal, a child named Siddhartha Gautama was born. His mother, Queen Maya, is remembered in Buddhist stories as gentle and wise, and his father, King Suddhodana, ruled the Shakya people. Bright flowers, sala trees, and warm sunlight make Lumbini an important place in Buddhist history and art.
Page 2: Siddhartha grew up in a palace in Kapilavastu, surrounded by gardens, music, learning, and beautiful things. As a prince, he wore fine clothes and learned skills expected of a future leader, such as reading, riding, and making fair decisions. King Suddhodana hoped his son would live a safe, happy life inside the palace walls.
Page 3: In the palace gardens, Siddhartha noticed small details many people missed. He watched birds flutter through mango trees, saw ants carrying food, and wondered why living things sometimes struggled. These quiet questions helped him become thoughtful and caring, even before he became known as the Buddha.
Page 4: Siddhartha married Princess Yasodhara, who is remembered as intelligent and graceful. They had a son named Rahula, and palace life seemed full of comfort. Yet Siddhartha still wondered about the world beyond the gates, where farmers worked, travelers walked dusty roads, and families lived very different lives.
Page 5: One day, Siddhartha asked Channa, his charioteer, to take him outside the palace. Along the road, Siddhartha saw people who were ill, old, and sad, and he understood that life was not always easy. These sights are often called the Four Sights in Buddhist tradition, because they changed the direction of his life.
Page 6: Siddhartha did not turn away from these discoveries. Instead, he asked a brave question: Is there a wiser way to live with change, worry, and pain? He saw a peaceful wandering seeker and wondered if quiet study, kindness, and simple living might help people understand life more deeply.
Page 7: Siddhartha decided to leave palace life and search for wisdom. This choice was difficult, because he cared for Yasodhara, Rahula, and his family, but he felt a strong wish to understand suffering and peace. In many paintings, he leaves at night with Channa, under a sky full of stars.
Page 8: After leaving the palace, Siddhartha became a seeker, someone who looks for truth through learning and practice. He met teachers, listened carefully, and tried very hard to understand the mind. He also lived simply in forests near rivers, where deer stepped softly and leaves whispered in the wind.
Page 9: For a time, Siddhartha practiced in a very strict way, eating little and pushing his body too hard. Later, he realized that hurting himself did not bring wisdom. This helped him discover the Middle Way, a balanced path between too much luxury and too much hardship.
Page 10: A kind village girl named Sujata offered Siddhartha a bowl of milk rice when he was weak. Her gift reminded him that kindness and care can support learning. Strengthened, Siddhartha walked to a fig tree, later called the Bodhi tree, and sat beneath its wide green leaves.
