As I can't post to the original thread started by Nicolaou, I'm doing so here:
Hi Fleur,
But the part that really, well, frankly creeped me out for lack of a better term, is that he left his wife and child, then starved himself nearly to death before he realized that this wasn't the way to go, and he lived as a homeless person, begging food as he went on his path to enlightenment.
That's a rather simplified version of events. Today, to leave one's family in seach of the truth (REAL truth) just isn't acceptable, but in the Buddha's day, and particularly in that part of India almost 6000 years before Christ, it was not unusual. Also, when Gautama left his wife and child he didn't leave them destitute, he was a rich prince so, materially, they required nothing.
If you read more you'll realise that Gautama's wife and son later also joined the Sangha (the order of monks and nuns).
It is also worth realising that Gautama advised his followers not to believe a word he had spoken but to test everything out for oneself. 'Buddha' means 'enlightened' and there have been many other enlightened souls after him, though these were not not designated as a 'Buddha'. When he almost starved himself to death it was because the teachers he had aligned himself with taught that concentrating on the spiritual while ignoring the physical (the body) was the way to go (a simplified version from me) but after years of this the Buddha realised that this was NOT the way to enlightenment and renounced such practices for all time (it's interesting that those who advocated starving the body later joined the Buddha).
A truly wonderful book that makes Buddhism simple to understand is Old Path White Clouds, by Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk whom my friends have had the privilege of meeting. James Thomas, a wonderful friend here, writes from a Ramanaist perspective (I admire Ramana, also, and his photograph sits alongside the Buddha on my shrine), but Ramana wasn't a Buddha. There are many different levels of spirituality to traverse and Ramana was certainly enlightened with regard to the Presence. The next Buddha is to be called Maitreya - but he won't arrive until truth is lost (but that's another story!).
As for Buddhism being a cult - that's way off track, but I understand your concern after being a JW. Admittedly, one has to be careful which school of Buddhism one aligns oneself to, i.e. the teacher NOT the school, so it is best to read up on all schools and accept what suits you. I was originally a Therevadin Buddhist, but Mahayana is certainly holding my attention at present.
James is absolutely right when he says the truth lies within oneself - but that's easier said than done (too abstract for a beginner), which is why reading and finding a good teacher are essential. You can always dispense with teachers and books once you have found truth - but it can take more than this lifetime .
Another really inspiring book is The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche.
Buddhism brought me the only true happiness I have ever encountered. Ramana brought me to a better realisation of who I am and that death is nothing to fear. The best book written about Ramana, in my opinion, is Be As You Are - The Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi edited by David Godman. Ramana said that if we ask for his presence he will come. I asked and he came - right into my bedroom/shrine room. I love that man (he died in 1950)! I know, sounds cooky - but you're only just starting your journey. There's a lot to discover!
BTW, beware of internet sites. It is far better to find a good teacher and read recommended books from people you can trust - yes, you can trust me!
Happy reading and, most of all, welcome to the path!
Ian