ASIAN 230 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Charnel Ground, Jataka Tales
Document Summary
Nothing written down until 400 years after buddha died. Christianity: matthew, mark, luke = synoptic because looking at same event. Don"t have historically accurate vs. mythology in buddhism. Queen maya had dream that white elephant entered womb. Told mom that it was his last lifetime. Claimed son would either be great king or great saint. One claimed that only one possibility = saint. King was horrified that son (siddhartha) might become saint. Son became curious about outside world after 29 years of living in paradise. Goes on chariot ride to view outside world. King"s men cleared route of sick, ugly, old, etc. One old man is missed by king"s men sweep (1st) Curious again and sees a sick man that is missed (2nd) Sees a man carrying a dead body (3rd) Tells father he wants to renounce the world. Father says he should because he"s lived longer. Son asks that he never gets sick, old, die.
