Buddha - Yoga Lingo

Around 2500 years ago, a child was born into a royal family. His father was named King Shuddhodhana, and he was the ruler of Kapilavastu (now in Nepal). The name of the child was Siddhartha Gautama, a name derived from two Sanskrit roots - ‘sidda,’ which means ‘achieved,’ and ‘artha,’ which means ‘was sought after.’ The name, therefore, translates as ‘he who has achieved his goals.’ After attaining Enlightenment, the child became known by a name which is now recognized all over the world: Buddha, or ‘The Awakened One.’

When Prince Siddhartha was 29 years of age, he left everything - his palace, wife, and child, to learn how to overcome ‘duhkha,’ or suffering. As part of his journey, he meditated regularly and underwent fasts to heighten his senses.

He arrived at Bodh Gaya, where he sat beneath a fig tree, resolving to remain until his questions were answered. He focused and meditated for many days until he found the solution: he now knew how to relieve suffering.

Yoga and Buddhism often exist alongside one another, with many who undertake yoga as a spiritual practice often choosing to incorporate many aspects of Buddhism into their lives. This process was known as ‘Enlightenment.’

Following this Enlightenment, Buddha began to preach the Four Noble Truths:

1. The truth of suffering
2. The truth of the cause of suffering
3. The truth of the end of suffering
4. The truth of the path leading to the end of suffering

The heart of Buddhist practice incorporates this final teaching, as part of the Noble Eightfold Path, or the middle path. Followers must adopt eight disciplines to achieve Enlightenment:

1. Right understanding
2. Right thought
3. Right speech
4. Right action
5. Right livelihood
6. Right mindfulness
7. Right effort
8. Right concentration

These ideas form the basis of the teachings of the Buddha and form the core of the beliefs of Buddhism.