Question

How was the initial sangha different from the society around it?

Answer 1

2. The buddha lived as a Prince in india during his childhood so very luxurious. His life changed when he saw Old age, Death and illness. 
3. His life changed by him giving up his riches and leaving the palace to live in nature and find freedom from suffering. 
4. The significance of accepting the bowl of rice was finding the 'Middle path' one of the key aspects of his teaching not to much not to little 
5. The bodhi tree is sacred because that is where buddha became enlightened and found the way to stop all suffering 
6. Enlightenment was realizing the truth behind everything and finding a way to stop suffering. 
7. The middle way means not to much not to little in reference to spiritual practice. 
8. In the initial sangha at the time society in India was very based on family and the home so leaving your family and home like members of the first sangha did was a very big deal at the time which is why they were different from the society's around them. 
9. A Major Miracle in buddhism would be his birth, some schools of buddhism say that a tree reached down to support his mother as she was giving birth and that baby buddha was up and walking and talking not long after his birth other buddhists disagree with this but as far as miracles go this is pretty impressive. 
10. The buddha died from food poising like a normal human being could, Which is significant considering he is considered the leader of a religion.