1.1.4

The Buddha

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The Life of Buddha

The events of the life of Buddha are incredibly important for Buddhists today.

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Buddha

  • Buddha was born in Lumbini (in modern-day Nepal). He lived in from c.563 until 483BCE, possibly in either modern-day Nepal or India.
  • We learn most of his life events from the Pali Canon, the oldest source.
  • The 'Ten Acts' are a framework used by Buddhists to understand Buddha's life. Legend is hard to decipher from the facts.
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Early life

  • Buddha was the son of Queen Mahamaya and King of Suddhodana.
  • At the moment of his conception, there is said to have been a bright light and earthquakes.
  • A white elephant came down from the sky and entered her side.
  • The Queen gave birth to Buddha standing up, and he came from her right side.
  • Two jets of water - one cold and one hot - appeared from the sky to bathe the baby.
  • Siddhartha Gautama (the birth name of Buddha), took steps in each of the four directions of the compass.
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Siddhartha Guatama (Pali spelling: Siddattha Gotama)

  • The Buddha said it would be his last rebirth as a human.
  • Asita the Sage said he would either become a king or spiritual leader.
  • Siddhartha was successful at everything, kind and well-mannered.
  • He married Yasodhara and they had a baby boy named Rahula.

Jump to other topics

1Buddhism

2Christianity

3Catholicism (Christianity)

4Islam

5Judaism

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