Lord Gautama Buddha

Lord Gautama Buddha

Gautam Buddha, a sage, is popularly known as Budhha. But, his actual name was Siddhartha Gautama. Another name is Shakyamuni. Based on his teachings only, Buddhism was found and for this reason only he is called Buddha. He is preached today as well, especially in countries like Thailand, Nepal etc.

He was born in the Himalayas in Shakya Republic. He is believed to have lived mostly in eastern India sometime between fourth and sixth centuries. Gautama taught Middle Way between sensual indulgence and the severe asceticism found in the Sramana (renunciation) movement common in his region. He later taught throughout regions of eastern India such as Magadha and Kośala.

Childhood

More specifically he was born in Kapilavastu in Nepal to Suddodana Gautama and beautiful Mahamaya. Now the place Kapilavastu is called Lumbini. It is believed that Buddha received enlightenment in India. In his childhood, as his father was a King so he kept his son in utopia or idyllic situation. Budhha was away from all troubles, worries and tensions. It was predicted that if remains inside his father’s palace, he would become a great King and if he leaves the palace he would become a great religious leader. He got married to Yasodhara at the age of sixteen and soon became a father of a baby boy named Rahula. Although he had everything under his reign that could give him all worldly pleasures, comfort and happiness but he was still unhappy, may be because he couldn’t find the purpose of his life.

The ascetic life

As soon as he stepped out of the palace, the world came to his surprise, he found miserable poor people, sick people, fragile old persons etc. which he did not see before and came to the conclusion that everything is unpredictable and nothing can stop people from being born, becoming old, getting sick, and dying. Thus, he gave up all worldly affairs and went towards attaining moksha. He sat under the Bodhi tree and meditated and promised himself not to get up unless he finds enlightenment. The teachings of Buddha are still taken as the foundation for many social welfare works.

At the End

At the age of 80, Buddha abandoned his earthly body, and later died a natural death at his old age.