A protective childhood

In this post, we’re turning the pages of history to explore the captivating story of Siddhartha’s childhood. Let us uncover the formative moments that shaped the early life of the future enlightened one.

King Suddhodana went to great lengths to make sure that Prince Siddhartha became deeply interested in secular life. He had guards positioned around young Siddhartha, not just for his safety against external dangers but also to make sure he didn’t experience any discomfort or unhappiness. King Suddhodana was resolute that elderly, unwell, or sorrowful individuals should stay away from the prince.

To ensure that, he appointed Pajapati as the new Queen of Shakyan. She led a group of maids and servants who were fully dedicated to looking after the prince around the clock.

You might be wondering why the King invested so much in Prince Siddhartha when he also had another son, Prince Nanda.

Well, it was all because of the prophecy made by the eight seers during Siddhartha’s naming ceremony. Seven of them glimpsed two possible futures for Siddhartha: he could either become a Buddha or a Wheel-turning monarch.

A wheel-turning monarch is a term used to describe a wise and just king who would rule the world with the intention of making it a better place. In this context, it indicated the potential for Siddhartha to lead the Shakyan state to greater power and prosperity through his leadership.

Therefore, young Siddhartha received an abundance of love and care, with high hopes from the King, Queen, and the entire nobility. They pulled out all the stops to keep him happily immersed in the everyday world, spicing things up with fun and festivities, making every day in the palace a big, joyful party!

Points for discussion

This is a classic case of adults imposing their hopes and desires upon their children. Hoping that the next generation would do better than them. Some would argue that this is how mankind improves. Do you agree with this approach? Or do you think that this is bad for the children?

Grooming a leader

The dream of seeing Siddhartha as a world-changing king meant that he had to be prepped accordingly. So, like other children from noble families, he received a well-rounded education and training in all sorts of knowledge and skills.

When Siddhartha turned seven, King Suddhodana thought it was the right moment for him to get a taste of royal responsibilities. He took the young prince to the plowing ceremony in the royal field, a tradition where the king kicked off the planting season. The Sakyan folks were renowned for their skills in rice farming, and this ceremony marked the start of a fresh agricultural year.

King Suddhodana found himself in a tricky situation. He wanted Siddhartha to participate in the royal ceremony, but he was also keen on ensuring his son didn’t encounter anything unpleasant. This delicate balance led to a rather distinctive arrangement on that particular day.

Siddhartha was positioned beneath a magnificent rose-apple tree, complete with a parasol and a plush carpet. The area was enclosed for privacy, where maids tended to his needs inside, and guards maintained vigilance outside. It might sound a bit like a protective cage, but this arrangement vividly portrayed Siddhartha’s sheltered world. It mirrored the ongoing struggle between King Suddhodana’s desire for Siddhartha’s success in the secular realm and the apprehension of exposing him to its imperfections.

Points for discussion

• Projecting our inner desires and aspirations on our kids usually results in projecting our dilemma along with. On one hand, we wish our children to achieve new heights, while on the other hand, we wish to protect them from danger or unhappiness. This can lead to a sensitive child becoming confused by our mixed signals.

Attaining Meditative Absorption

As the festivities kicked off, King Suddhodana plowed the field amidst cheers and music filling the air. The maids attending to Siddhartha got caught up in the revelry and accidentally left him alone within his enclosed space. But the 7-year-old Siddhartha didn’t grow impatient or seek attention. Instead, he sat down to meditate and reached the first stage of meditative absorption or deep concentration, a skill that stemmed from his past lifetimes of meditation practice. In Buddhism, we call this “karmic imprints,” That means it’s an innate inclination or ability carried over from our previous lives. It is similar to the unexplainable abilities of a prodigy.

When the maids returned, they were utterly amazed to discover Siddhartha deep in meditation, and even more astounding, the shade of the tree and parasol still provided him protection, despite the sun’s movement. It was truly a wonder to behold. Filled with excitement, they hurried to share the extraordinary sight with the King, who, in response, paid his second homage to his extraordinary son.

Point for discussion.

Do you need to believe in the miracle of the stationary tree shades to be Buddhist?

Do you have faith that you can experience a similar miracle as Prince Siddhartha when you attained meditative absorption?

Do you think this story can carry a deeper meaning beside being a fairy-tale?

(Note: The fanfare around the festival can be interpreted as the busy encounters in our daily life. The blazing hot sun is akin to the mental agitation in our minds during a busy day. The meditation refers to a restive mind. In other words, the ability to maintain a restive or cool mind amidst a busy day is similar to being miraculously protected by a non-moving shade.)

Conclusion

In Siddhartha’s journey, we can totally see some parallels with our own parenting experiences. Balancing a child’s playtime, rest, and education often stirs up those “I’ve been there” feelings. Have you ever been in a situation just like King Suddhodana?

Sometimes, without even realizing it, we impose our unrealized dreams upon our children, hoping they’ll achieve what we couldn’t. Take, for example, some parents who missed out on higher education and then nudge their children toward college or university, even if their children aren’t too keen on it.

It’s a real mix of emotions – the pure joy of watching our child have a blast while also feeling that tug of concern about their formal schooling. You might want to give them a head start with programs like preschool but have those twinges of worry that it might gobble up their childhood.

Amid all our efforts to prepare our children for the future, we can sometimes forget just how crucial relaxation is. Think about it: many of us grown-ups struggle to unwind or remain in the magical shade, and that can have some pretty hefty consequences on our health, both physical and mental.

The story of Prince Siddhartha offers a fresh perspective on rest. Maybe, the ability to quiet one’s mind is something to celebrate, not shun. While it’s crucial to equip our children with skills for development, it’s equally vital to teach them the art of relaxation. Next time you catch your little one taking a break, why not give them a high-five and tell them it’s super cool to rest.

May all be well and happy.