Recorded at the Vedanta Society of Western Washington on May 27, 2013.
Swami Bhaskarananda presents an overview of the life of Gautama Buddha and the central orientation of his teachings, placing them within their historical and philosophical context. He recounts the circumstances of Buddha’s birth, upbringing, and early life of privilege, followed by the decisive encounters with old age, illness, and death that awakened in him a deep awareness of suffering. This recognition led Siddhartha Gautama to renounce worldly life in search of a way beyond suffering, eventually undertaking intense inquiry and discipline that culminated in his awakening, after which he came to be known as the Buddha—the “Awakened One.”
The lecture then explains Buddha’s understanding of suffering, its causes, and its cessation, emphasizing his practical focus rather than metaphysical speculation. Swami Bhaskarananda discusses the Noble Truths, the role of right thinking and right living, and Buddha’s emphasis on ethical conduct, nonviolence, and compassion. He also situates Buddha’s insights alongside Vedantic thought, noting both points of convergence and divergence, particularly regarding the nature of the self and ultimate reality. The talk reflects on Buddha’s rejection of rigid ritualism and caste distinctions, his use of the people’s language, and his lasting influence as a reformer and teacher. The lecture concludes by presenting Buddha as a divine incarnation recognized within Hindu tradition, whose life and teachings continue to illuminate the path beyond suffering through clarity, discipline, and compassion.
