Do you remember the stories that your parents read to you as a child, or the stories that you read yourself in the storybooks? There was something really special about those stories! Some were simple stories that were just meant for pure fun, and some were moral stories.
Today, as a parent, would it not be interesting to narrate such short moral stories like “The Story of Buddha” to your child? Stories with morals can teach important life lessons to your child, which helps to form a strong foundation that helps them to respond to life situations. For example, handling disappointment, helping a person in need, being kind, and so much more.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
We have just the story for you to start with – The full story of “A Story of Buddha” in English.
Origin And History Of The Story Of Buddha
Siddhartha Gautama or Gautam Buddha was a prince who lived sometime in the 6th to 4th century BCE. He was born near the border of India and Nepal. Though Buddha lived centuries ago, his birthday is still celebrated as Buddha Jayanti in India. The Bodhi tree, under which he attained enlightenment, is worshipped even today. Several monuments in India have been built as tributes to Buddhism. This story of how this prince left his palace in search of happiness and attained enlightenment has been told from generation to generation.
Story Type
The story is a real story of how Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment and came to be known as Gautam Buddha.
Story Characters
- King Suddhodana
- Queen Mahamaya
- Siddhartha
- Kala Devala
- Devdutta
- A wise man
- Princess Yashodhara
- Channa
- Ananda
The Story Of Buddha For Children
Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Kapilvastu, lived King Suddhodana and Queen Mahamaya. The Queen gave birth to a lovely boy at Lumbini Gardens. The King and the Queen named their son Siddhartha.
Unfortunately, the Queen died seven days later after the boy was born. When Siddhartha was growing up, a wise man named Kala Devala informed King Suddhodana that his son would witness things that would make him miserable and lead him to flee to the jungle. As a result, the King never let his son leave the royal walls. Siddhartha was a bright and cheerful boy who was very compassionate and caring.
Siddhartha and his cousin Devadutta were walking in the palace one day. Devadutta observed a swan nearby and shot it down on the spot. Siddhartha was terrified when he saw the injured bird. He drew the arrow from the swan’s body and applied medicinal herbs to the wound. His cousin wanted the bird as he shot him, but Siddhartha didn’t agree. As a result, the two boys proceeded to court. In the court, the wise man said that the swan belonged to the person who saved it and not to the one who attempted to take the bird’s life.
Siddhartha matured into a young man. King Suddhodana wed him to the beautiful Princess Yashodhara. King Suddhodana thought that after Siddhartha’s marriage, he would never leave his home since he had a wife. Siddhartha, on the other hand, felt dissatisfied inside the palace walls.
“Let’s take a walk outside the palace!” The Prince urged his servant Channa one day. On their walk, they came upon an elderly man who was hunched over. Siddhartha had never encountered an elderly person before. He asked Channa, “What is that?” “This is an elderly gentleman,” Channa replied. “One day, we’ll all be elderly!” Siddhartha returned to his palace, distraught.
Siddhartha went out of the palace again after a few days. This time, he saw a sick man who was wailing in pain. “Why is that man crying, Channa?” The Prince wondered, having never seen a sick person before. “He’s unwell, and due to pain, he is wailing,” Channa responded. The Prince was unhappy and returned to his palace.
When Siddhartha stepped outside the palace the next time, he observed a group of people dragging a dead body. “One day, we all will die!” Channa said to Siddhartha, explaining to the Prince that he was seeing a dead person. Siddhartha knew the King had kept him in the palace to keep him safe from these possible dangers. “Do we all have to go through this stage – get old, ill, and die?” The Prince wondered to himself. “Do we not have any other options?”
Siddhartha stepped outside the place once more. He noticed a man with orange robes, shaved head, and a bowl in his hand. The man appeared to be in a very good mood. “Who is that man, Channa?” he inquired. “That’s a sensible man. He had abandoned everything and gone to the wilderness to seek happiness!” Channa replied. The Prince pondered all he had witnessed. After that, he decided to leave the palace in search of happiness.
One night, while his wife and son were sleeping, Siddhartha secretly left the palace with his devoted servant, Channa. They walked together till they reached the Anoma River. The Prince removed his imperial garments there. He handed Channa his clothes and his horse to return to the palace. He then shaved his long hair, donned an orange robe, and walked out holding a bowl.
“Do you know the route to everlasting happiness?” Siddhartha inquired of each person he met. Nobody had an answer for him. Finally, Siddhartha sat beneath a Bodhi tree and attempted to solve the problem independently. He started meditating. Siddhartha’s journey came to an end after several years.
People referred to him as “Gautama Buddha” since he had matured into a knowledgeable man. Buddha cherished all birds and animals, and he treated them with compassion.
Siddhartha’s jealous cousin, Devadutta, once dispatched wild elephants to attack Buddha. On the other hand, the elephants knelt down in front of Buddha when they saw him. Gautama Buddha had a huge number of followers. He moved from place to place, sharing his knowledge with his followers and others. Gautam Buddha advocated that pleasure could be attained by being satisfied with what one had and treating all beings with kindness.
When he returned to Kapilavastu, he was welcomed by the King, his father, his wife, and his son. Ananda, one of his relatives, became Gautam Buddha’s devoted follower and took care of him as he grew older. Gautam Buddha continued to preach for another 45 years. Finally, in Kusinara, Gautam Buddha laid down beneath the Sala trees and exhaled his last breath.
Story Summary
Here is the summary of “The Story of Buddha”.
This is a story of a prince who was born in the kingdom of Kapilvastu to King Suddhodana and Queen Mahamaya. The Queen died seven days after giving birth to the boy. A wise man, Kala Devala, informed the King that his son would witness things that would make him miserable and lead him to flee to the jungle. As a result, the King gave orders that Prince Siddhartha would not cross the palace walls.
After he grew up, he was married to a lovely Princess Yashodhara and also had a son. One day the day Prince stepped out of the palace and found an old man with a hunched back. His encounter was with a sick man who was wailing in pain. After that, he came across a dead body on his next walk. His servant told him that we would all become old, sick and die one day. There was no other option. Finally, the Prince saw a man with a shaved head, wearing orange robes and holding a bowl in hand. His servant told him that the man had abandoned everything and gone to the wilderness to seek happiness.
Siddhartha left his palace in search of happiness and truth. He left all his imperial things behind, got dressed in orange robes, shaved his head and carried a bowl. On his way, he asked people where to find happiness. No one had an answer for him. Finally, Siddhartha sat under a Bodhi tree and started meditating. After several years his journey came to an end. He continued preaching for another 45 years. He took his last breath under the Sala trees, in Kusinara.
What Lesson Will Your Child Learn From This Story?
Your child will learn that pleasure can be attained by being satisfied with what one has, and treating all beings with kindness.
How Can Children Apply The Lesson Of This Story In Their Real Life?
Children can apply the lesson of this short story by treating and greeting everyone around them with kindness. This lesson of this story with pictures can also be used in real life by children by not being jealous of what others have but feeling satisfied with what they have.
Also Read:
Eklavya and Dronacharya Story for Children
The Story of The Birth of Lord Krishna For Kids
Krishna And Kaliya Snake Story for Children
