Buddha and the Common Man

When we think of Buddha, we think of one of the most spiritually enlightened people to have ever lived.

However, the truth is that throughout his life, Buddha always tried to be as common as everyone around him. Even though Buddha could speak and write eloquently, he always wrote and spoke in simple language so that everyone around him could understand.

When Buddha was asked by his companions if a shrine should be built under the tree where he gained enlightenment, Buddha replied by saying that the tree should be left as it was so that others could also find enlightenment under it.

Although there are many accounts of Buddha’s death, all of the sources all agree that Buddha’s last words were “all living things shall past”.

As we live in a world in which we are obsessed with position, status and of the opinion of others, the life of Buddha is an example to us all. To be truly enlightened is not the ability to rise above other people but it is, in effect, the ability to be in touch with the common man and to meet him at his own level.