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Buddha's Life — Reading Comprehension

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This engaging history passage explores the life of Siddhartha Gautama, also known as the Buddha, and his search for enlightenment in ancient India. Students will learn about the historical context of the Buddha’s life, including his early years as a prince, his renunciation of luxury, and the spiritual journey that led to the development of Buddhism. The text incorporates vocabulary such as ascetic, meditation, enlightenment, and the Four Noble Truths, helping students build academic language. The passage references primary and archaeological sources, such as the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya and early Buddhist texts. Activities include comprehension questions, writing prompts, graphic organizers, and a timeline, fostering critical thinking and historical analysis. The passage and activities align with CA HSS 6.1.2, RH.6-8.1, and RH.6-8.2 standards. Spanish translations and read aloud audio support diverse learners. This resource is ideal for units on ancient India, world religions, and the development of major belief systems.

CONTENT PREVIEW

"Buddha the Conqueror" by Nicholas Roerich / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain).

Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, founded one of the world’s major religions in ancient India during the 6th century BCE. Born around 563 BCE in Lumbini, near the Himalayan foothills, Siddhartha was raised as a prince in the powerful Shakya kingdom. His early life was marked by luxury and comfort, but he became troubled by the suffering he observed outside his palace walls. This marked the beginning of his quest to understand the true nature of human suffering and the path to inner peace.

According to early Buddhist texts and archaeological sites such as Lumbini and Bodh Gaya, Siddhartha encountered four sights that changed his life: an old man, a sick person, a corpse, and a wandering holy man. These experiences led him to leave his royal family and adopt an ascetic lifestyle, giving up all material possessions. He traveled across the Ganges River valley, practicing extreme self-denial in the hope of achieving spiritual truth. However, after years of harsh discipline, Siddhartha realized that neither luxury nor severe asceticism brought him closer to understanding suffering.

At Bodh Gaya, under a sacred Bodhi tree, Siddhartha meditated for many days. Through deep meditation, he attained enlightenment, or complete understanding of life’s truths. He discovered the Four Noble Truths: that life is suffering, suffering is caused by desire, ending desire ends suffering, and the way to end desire is by following the Eightfold Path. These principles became the foundation of Buddhism. Siddhartha, now called the Buddha, began teaching these ideas to others in places like Sarnath, where he gave his first sermon. His teachings challenged traditional social hierarchy in India by welcoming people of all castes and backgrounds.

The spread of Buddhism had a lasting impact on Indian society and across Asia. Buddhist ideas about compassion, ethical living, and meditation influenced daily life and art. Monastic communities developed, and many followers traveled to sacred sites such as Sarnath and Bodh Gaya. Archaeological evidence, such as ancient stupas and inscriptions, shows how Buddhism changed over time and adapted to different regions. Today, millions of people still follow the path the Buddha began more than 2,500 years ago.

The Buddha’s search for enlightenment connects to broader themes in world history, such as the development of major religious traditions, the influence of geography on belief systems, and social change over time.

Interesting Fact: The Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya, where the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment, is considered one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the world for Buddhists.

Where was Siddhartha Gautama born?

LumbiniSarnathBodh GayaVaranasi

What did Siddhartha see that changed his life?

A festivalFour sightsA warA palace

Where did Siddhartha attain enlightenment?

Under a Bodhi treeAt a templeIn his palaceOn a mountain

Why did Siddhartha leave his royal family?

To find spiritual truthTo become a kingTo travel for funTo build a temple

What are the Four Noble Truths about?

Suffering and its endHow to farmMaking lawsBuilding palaces

How did Buddhism challenge social hierarchy?

Welcomed all castesBuilt more palacesIgnored poor peopleMade new kings