Gautam Buddha – Facts

Some important facts about Gautam Buddha are:

• He is the founder of Buddhism.

• He was born as Prince Siddhartha in 566 BC in Lumbini, near Kapilavastu (Nepal), to Suddhodhana and Mahamaya. As Suddhodhana was the chief of the Sakya clan, Buddha was also known as ‘Sakyamuni’.

• His mother passed away either during his birth or seven days later. Buddha was raised by his maternal aunt, Prajapati Gautami due to the death of his mother either during his birth or within seven days of his birth. Hence, he was also given the name ‘Gautama’.

• He married Yashodhara and together they had a son Rahula.

• He left his home at the age of 29 to become an ascetic. This event is called the Mahabhishkramana.

• When Buddha witnessed the four different states of man – a sick man, an old man, a corpse, and an ascetic, the idea of renunciation came to him.

• After seven years, at the age of 35, Buddha, while performing meditation under a Peepal tree (Fig Tree/ Ficus Religiosa) attained enlightenment on the banks of the river Niranjana. The incident took place in a small village called Uruvela. This tree is now famously called the ‘Bodhi tree’ and the place is now known as Bodh Gaya (in Bihar).

• Buddha gave his first sermon at a place near Varanasi called Sarnath. This event is known as Dharmachakra Pravartana/ Dhammachakkappavattana.

• He left for heavely abode in 483 BC under a Sal tree in Kushinagar (in UP). This event is known as the Mahaparinirvana.

• The term ‘Buddha’ refers to ‘enlightened one’.

• Mahavira Jaina, Kings Prasenjit, Bimbisara and Ajatasatru were the most important contemporaries of Buddha.

The teachings of Gautam Buddha explain the importance of following a balanced life, the significance of the eight-fold path to enlightenment, and the four noble truths. The doctrines of teachings of Buddha are aimed at the entire liberation of humans from their sufferings and are also collectively known as Dhamma.

It reveals truths that were taught by Buddha and also encourages people to follow the Noble Eightfold Path, which ultimately leads to the achievement of enlightenment. The core of Buddha’s teachings are as follows:

1. Three Universal Truths
2. Four Noble Truths
3. Eightfold Noble Path

Let us learn about the teachings of Buddha in detail below.