2.3.2

Siddhartha Gautama

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Siddhartha Gautama

 

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The Buddha

  • The founder of Buddhism is usually referred to as the Buddha.
  • Buddha is a title meaning ‘the enlightened one’.
  • The Buddha was a man called Siddhartha Gautama.
    • He lived in India from 563 BCE until 480 BCE.
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Early life

  • We don't know a lot about the early life of Siddhartha.
    • We do know that he was born into a rich family near modern-day Nepal.
  • It is believed that Siddhartha’s father was a clan leader.
  • There is a story that a holy man said that one day Siddhartha would be a great leader, such as a king or spiritual leader.
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Life in the palace

  • To protect him, his father raised Siddhartha inside a palace.
  • Siddhartha had a comfortable and luxurious childhood.
  • He got married and had a son, and continued living in the palace until he was around 30 years old.
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Leaving the palace

  • Siddhartha found his wealthy lifestyle unsatisfying.
  • So, around the age of 30, Siddhartha left the palace.
    • He decided to travel outside the palace to see different walks of life.
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Caste system and Vedic rituals

  • Siddhartha rejected the caste system of the time because he believed everyone was equal. Everyone could achieve enlightenment.
  • Siddhartha also rejected the Vedic rituals of Hindu priests.
    • He thought they were unnecessary for spiritual growth.
  • Instead, Siddhartha taught people to seek personal enlightenment through:
    • Meditation, ethical living, and wisdom.

Jump to other topics

1Year 7

1.1Origins of Abrahamic Faith

1.2Judaism

1.3Christianity

1.4Disciplinary Knowledge

2Year 8

2.1Islam

2.2Hindu Dharma (Hinduism)

2.3Buddhism

2.4Sikhi

2.5Atheism

2.6Philosophy of Religion

2.7Disciplinary Knowledge

3Year 9

3.1Life & Death

3.2Extremism

3.3Equality

4Additional Concepts

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