Early+Buddhism+219-221

​ = = =0-Early Buddhism 219-221=

==== **The founder of Buddhism came from a Kshatnya family. Gautama was a monk whose life was very pampered. He gave up his pampered life to seek salvation. He eventually left his family to search for enlightenment, and the explanation for suffering. After he sat under the Bo tree in Bodh Gaya for 49 days, he received enlightenment, and understood the problem of suffering. At that point, Gautama became the Buddha. He first publicly announced his doctrine in 528 B.C.E. He called the sermon “Turning of the Wheel of the Law” Over the years Gautama gained many followers, which he called disciples. He led his disciples for more than 40 years before he passed. The core of the Buddha’s doctrine are known as the Four Noble Truths. The Four Noble Truths teach that, all life involves suffering, that desire is the cause of suffering, that the elimination of desire brings an end to suffering, and that a disciplined life conducted in accordance with the Noble Eightfold Path calls for individuals to lead balanced and moderate lives.** ====