釈迦の生涯
本要約はブッダ(釈迦)の生涯について。北伝仏教と南伝仏教の違いや諸説ある誕生年、誕生の逸話、幼少期のエピソード、出家に至るまでの経緯。
さらに悟りを開くまでの修行、初転法輪と仏教教団の形成、生涯を通しての布教の旅、最期のメッセージなどが語られている。
This summary contains the differences between Northern and Southern Buddhism, various theories about his birth year, anecdotes of his birth, episodes from his childhood, and the circumstances leading up to his renunciation. Furthermore, his practice until enlightenment, the first turning of the wheel of Dharma and formation of the Buddhist order, his lifelong missionary journeys, and his final message are discussed.
お釈迦様は複数の名前で呼ばれているが、ゴータマ・シッダールタは本名ではなく、シッダールタは「目的を達成した者」を意味する。釈迦は出身部族の釈迦族から来ており、残りの釈尊とブッダは尊号である。18〜19世紀頃、お釈迦様の実在性すら疑われていたが、現在では実在が確実視されている。
The Buddha is known by several names, but Gautama Siddhartha is not his real name. Siddhartha means "one who has achieved his goal." Shakya comes from his clan, the Shakya tribe, while the remaining titles of Shakyamuni and Buddha are honorifics. Around the 18th-19th centuries, even the historical existence of the Buddha was doubted, but today, his existence is considered certain.
お釈迦様の誕生年は諸説あるが、紀元前6世紀から5世紀頃と考えられる。誕生の地とされるカピラ城の位置は不明確で、現在はインドとネパールの間で論争になっている。誕生時のエピソードとして、母マーヤの脇から生まれ、すぐに歩き出して「天上天下唯我独尊」と発言したと伝えられる。母マーヤは出産の7日後に死去し、母の妹のマハープラジャーパティーに育てられた。
There are various theories about the Buddha's birth year, but it is thought to be around the 6th to 5th century BCE. The location of Kapilavastu, said to be his birthplace, is unclear and is currently a point of contention between India and Nepal. According to an anecdote about his birth, he was born from the side of his mother Maya, immediately walked, and proclaimed, "I alone am the World-Honored One." Queen Maya passed away seven days after giving birth, and the Buddha was raised by his maternal aunt, Mahaprajapati Gautami.
お釈迦様は王子として何不自由なく育てられたが、内向的で物思いにふける子供だった。ある時、お釈迦様は城外へ出て老人、病人、死人、そして出家者に出会う（四門出遊）。これにより、老病死という人生の苦しみと、出家して苦しみから解放される道について思索するようになる。29歳の時、子供が生まれて王としての務めを果たしたお釈迦様は、城を抜け出して出家した。
Raised as a prince who wanted for nothing, the Buddha was an introverted and contemplative child. Once, he ventured outside the palace and encountered an old person, a sick person, a corpse, and a mendicant (the four sights). This led him to contemplate the suffering of life, such as old age, illness, and death, and the path to liberation from suffering through renunciation. At the age of 29, having fulfilled his duty as a king with the birth of his child, the Buddha left the palace and renounced the world.
出家後、お釈迦様はまず苦行者のもとで修行をするが、苦行では悟りに至れないと悟る。死に瀕するまで断食した後、村娘スジャータから乳粥を施されて一命を取り留める。その後、菩提樹の下で瞑想に入り、ついに悟りを開いて仏陀となった。最初は教えを広めることに躊躇したが、梵天に勧められて説法を決意する。
After renouncing the world, the Buddha first practiced under ascetic teachers but realized that asceticism could not lead to enlightenment. After fasting to the point of near-death, he was offered rice milk by a village girl named Sujata, which saved his life. He then entered meditation under the Bodhi tree and finally attained enlightenment, becoming the Buddha. Although he initially hesitated to spread his teachings, he resolved to preach upon the encouragement of Brahma.
鹿野苑で、かつての修行仲間であった五比丘に初めての説法（初転法輪）を行い、教団が形成された。その後、王舎城や舎衛城を拠点として各地を行脚し、教えを広めた。80歳で入滅するまで布教の旅を続け、最期に「自灯明・法灯明（自らを灯明とし、法を灯明とせよ）」というメッセージを残した。
At Deer Park, he delivered his first sermon (turning the wheel of Dharma) to his former ascetic companions, the Five Ascetics, and the monastic order was formed. Thereafter, with Rajagaha and Shravasti as his bases, he traveled to various places, spreading his teachings. He continued his missionary journeys until his passing at the age of 80, leaving behind the final message, "Be a lamp unto yourself, with the Dharma as your light."
