The story of Buddha can fit with the study of Buddhism, one of the major world religions; (one in five people is a Buddhist).Buddha means “the Enlightened One”.
Buddha’s original name was Siddhartha, and he came from the wealthy Gautama clan. The son of a Hindu noble, brought up in luxury in a palace, he knew nothing of the outside world until, one day, he went exploring and saw three sights which changed his life; an old man, a sick person, and a dead body. Returning to his palace he resolved to leave behind his wealth and protected life, even his wife and son, and search for the meaning of life.
Along the way he meets obstacles preventing him from starting his journey. He has to put aside his love and affection for his wife and son, then he meets a dancing girl aiming to distract him, and he has to overcome snakes and monsters seeking to destroy him. But he passes through his tests and eventually finds the answers he seeks after sitting in contemplation under a special tree; discovering in the process how to be happy and content.
The story is epic in nature on a par with the Ramayana. Beautiful and colourful, it includes animal puppets and the settings of Siddhartha’s palace, his journey and tests, until he gains enlightenment.
The narration shows how Buddha’s journey leads him to his truth, and is illustrated with a brand new Buddha puppet, specially made, complete with orange clothes and bowl.
This story fits in with the study of other countries apart from India; Sri Lanka, China, Japan, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Tibet.
It is rare to have the story of Lord Buddha told in this fashion, and the epic brings alive the wonderful journey, as well as the teachings of Buddhism.
