Narrator:
Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam.
Narrator:
Hello viewers, I hope you are all doing well. Welcome back to the Gupta Sadhak Shyamakhyapa 2 channel after a long time. Because Gurudev fell ill in the middle of our series, our discussions on the Dashavatar (Ten Avatars) of Lord Narayana were paused. You have watched up to the eighth avatar. Today, Gurudev will talk about the ninth avatar, Buddha.
Narrator:
Although the series was paused due to his illness, I wouldn't say he is completely fully recovered yet. However, we receive many messages and phone calls from you asking how he is and mentioning that you haven't seen him in a while. He is now in a condition to speak a little. Actually, Gurudev has COPD, and the extreme cold causes him a lot of trouble. Anyway, today I will request Gurudev to speak to the viewers about Buddha, the ninth avatar of Narayana.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
People have already read about this in books. Buddha is the ninth avatar of Narayana; he is Lord Narayana himself. Buddha's father was King Suddhodana of the Shakya dynasty, and his mother was Queen Maya Devi. He was born in a place called Lumbini, which is in Nepal.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
First, let's understand the meaning of the word Buddha. Buddha means the wise one—someone who possesses divine knowledge or the wisdom of the gods. Now, there is a certain difference of opinion or conflict between Hinduism and Buddhism, but it is better not to elaborate on that here.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
From a very young age, Buddha was quite absent-minded. He would sit alone, lost in his own thoughts, and was indifferent to the worldly matters around him. He wouldn't speak much to anyone and stayed in his own world. Seeing this, the locals told King Suddhodana and Maya Devi that their son was acting strangely, not talking, and always lost in his own mind. But since he was Lord Narayana himself, how could ordinary people understand what he was thinking?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Eventually, they appointed a teacher and entrusted Buddha to him. Buddha would accompany his teacher on walks, and the teacher would show him the ways of the world and try to educate him. But Buddha had little interest in conventional studies—and why would he? He was Narayana himself, already possessing supreme knowledge.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Sometimes, while walking, Buddha would ask his guru questions. Once, pointing at a mountain, the guru said, That is a mountain of your bones. It is made of the bones from your past lives. Do you even know how many times you have been born? Think about how many times you must have incarnated to leave behind a mountain of bones. They used to have such conversations.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
As he grew older, he decided to form a Sangha (a monastic community). He started gathering disciples and initiating them. His core philosophy and chant was: Buddham Saranam Gacchami, Dhammam Saranam Gacchami, Sangham Saranam Gacchami. (I take refuge in the Buddha, I take refuge in the Dharma, I take refuge in the Sangha).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
He slowly became a wandering monk. He began to establish his spiritual influence and preach his message in places like China, Japan, Celebes, and Borneo. Buddhism created a massive wave, and people responded to him immensely. At that time, Hinduism was going through a vulnerable phase. Buddha was traveling freely, preaching extensively as a wandering monk.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
However, at one point, he paused. He looked at his monks and realized that they were no longer pure. He understood right then that his religion, in its current state, wouldn't last long. He saw firsthand that immense jealousy and malice had crept into his Sangha.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Ultimately, he was killed by poisoning. Poison was mixed into his food. While eating, he realized it and told his disciples, Do not eat this food; it has poison mixed in it. He lay down there, gave his final teachings to his disciples, and thus, Buddha's life came to an end. The hopes he had for the Buddhist Sangha were not entirely fulfilled.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Because he was an avatar of Narayana, our Jagadguru Shankaracharya could not fully accept this (Buddhism). It is a matter of debate. Regardless, Buddha was poisoned. As I mentioned, the word Buddha means the wise one, the one with divine knowledge. This is the core of his life story; the rest of the details are secondary.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Later on, he couldn't rely on his disciples because corruption and misdeeds had entered the Sangha. Today, Buddhism thrives in places like China, Japan, Borneo, and Celebes. If you go there, you will see followers of Buddhism, and there is barely any Hindu presence. And of course, there is Nepal, which is Buddha's birthplace.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Regarding his personal life, he was married and had a family. He married Yashodhara, and they had a son named Rahul. This is mostly what is known about his life.
Narrator:
You all just heard Gurudev. He spoke about Buddha, the ninth avatar of Narayana, in his own unique way. For your information, you will find the links to the previous episodes of the Dashavatar series in the description box. Please watch them and share them with your friends. As always, as we come to the end of the episode, I will request Gurudev to say a few closing words.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I always say one thing repeatedly—whatever you do, when you are talking about God, you must engage in Harinam Sankirtan (chanting the Holy Name). There is no other way.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare. Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Harer Namaiva Kevalam, Harer Namaiva Kevalam, Harer Namaiva Kevalam. Kalau Nastyeva, Kalau Nastyeva, Kalau Nastyeva Gatir Anyatha. (In the age of Kali, there is no other way, no other way, no other way than the Holy Name).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Jai Guru.
Narrator:
Everyone, stay healthy, stay well, and keep chanting the Holy Name. Pranam, Gurudev.