Palsang-do: eight scenes of Buddhas life

By Chun Ock-bae

Most people are interested in learning more about the life stories of the people they admire. That is the reason why the eight phases of the Buddha's life from his birth to his death can be found in the ``Palsang-jeon (Eight Pictures Hall),’’ or on the outside walls of the Main Hall of Buddhist Temples.

Ever since the Buddha entered nirvana, the story of his life has drawn endless interest from many Buddhists. A series of paintings entitled ``Eight Phases of the Buddha’s Life’’ was developed as a means of satisfying people’s interest. These paintings were created for the first time 2,000 years ago and even now they are central to Buddhist Art.

Announcement of the imminent birth

One night, Queen Mayadevi dreamed that a white elephant descended from heaven and entered her womb. The white elephant entering her womb indicated that on that very night she had conceived a child who was a pure and powerful being. The King and the Queen listened to the interpretation of the dream from a Brahmin who was an expert in physiognomy. He predicted: ``A great son will be born. If he renounces the world and embraces a religious life, he will attain perfect enlightenment and become the savior of this world.’’

Birth

Buddha Shakyamuni was born as a royal prince in 624 B.C. in a place called Lumbini, which was originally in northern India but is now part of Nepal. He emerged from the right side of his mother who is depicted as standing upright and holding the branch of a fig tree. When the king saw the child he felt as if all his wishes had been fulfilled. Thus he named the young prince ``Siddhartha.’’

He invited a Brahmin seer to make predictions about the prince’s future. The seer examined the child with his clairvoyance and told the king, ``There are signs that the boy could become either a chakravatin king, a ruler of the entire world, or a fully enlightened Buddha.’’

Four scenes of human existence

Sometimes Prince Siddhartha would go into the capital city of his father’s kingdom to see how the people lived. During these visits he came into contact with the sick and the elderly, and, on one occasion, a corpse. These encounters left a deep impression on his mind and led him to realize that all living beings without exception have to experience the sufferings of birth, sickness, aging and death.

Seeing how all living beings are trapped in this vicious circle of suffering he felt a deep compassion for them, and developed a sincere wish to free all from suffering.

Renunciation

Realizing that only a fully enlightened Buddha has the wisdom and the power to help all living beings, he resolved to leave the palace and retire to the solitude of the forest where he would engage in profound meditation until he attained enlightenment.

His father, learning of Siddhartha’s intentions to leave, placed extra guards by the gates to watch over his son at all times. But Siddhartha, with the aid of the four guardians and other spirits, was able to escape over the wall on his favorite white horse.

Asceticism

For six years he studied and meditated to find the truth. As was the custom in those days, he punished and disciplined his body until verging on the edge of death. Finally realizing that this was not the right way to enlightenment, he began to live moderately and maintain a healthy body in order to further his quest for understanding.

Temptations

The demon Mara, symbolizing delusions, which arise during meditation, tried to disturb Siddhartha’s practice. Mara sought to break the spirit of the meditating man and sent various lures as distractions from the path Siddhartha had chosen.

First he sent worldly pleasures. When these failed, he sent his army of monsters but the power of the nearly enlightened Buddha was able to stop them and turn their weapons into lotus blossoms. Evil, in the guise of Mara and his tricks, was defeated and goodness prevailed ― Siddhartha resisted the three voluptuous women sent to seduce him. He finally defeated all temptations and attained enlightenment.

Enlightenment and teaching

After overcoming temptation, enlightenment is complete. Siddhartha had become the historical Buddha, Sakyamuni. In “Deer Park,” the Buddha is depicted preaching to his colleagues who practiced with him before his enlightenment. For 45 years, he wandered and taught anyone who was interested in his understanding of reality.

If we integrate Buddha’s teachings into our daily life we will be able to solve all our inner problems and attain a truly peaceful mind. Without inner peace, outer peace is impossible. If we first establish peace within our minds by training in spiritual paths, outer peace will come naturally; but if we do not, world peace will never be achieved, no matter how many people campaign for it.

Passing away, nirvana

At the age of 80 the Buddha passed away between two Sala trees and many disciples and animals gathered around the bier to mourn his passing. In elaborate paintings, there is a colorful shower of relics from the burning casket. Around the body are crowds of both heavenly and earthly mourners.

The writer is a contributor and researcher at the International Association for Buddhist Thought & Culture, Dongguk University. This is the last of the series on Icons of Buddhism. ― ED.