Statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, with Stone Setting

SHAKYAMUNI BUDDHA : BRIEF INTRODUCTION
The ancient Sanskrit word 'Buddha' means 'having become awoken ' in the sense of having attained 'supreme awareness'. It is closely related to term 'Bodhi' which refers to awareness. The serene & sublime image of Gautama embodies a condition of compassionate understanding, of an awoken illuminated mind. This is a stark contrast to many Western ideas of outward pride, muscular vigour & displays of material wealth. Gautama Shakyamuni was born c.563 BCE in Lumbini which is today in Nepal. He concentrated on the cardinal Rule of Desire & its relationship to hate. This Principle pre-existed his lifetime & is a theme common to Hinduism, Jainism & similar faiths. Desire is taken in the sense of greed, selfishness, possessiveness which combine to obscure higher awareness & understanding, especially in context with the world around us. He was certain that the suffering sick people, hungry people, old people & poor desperate people was caused by & had arisen through a misunderstanding & that misplaced-desire & had generated this suffering.