The Buddha
Religious Studies A: AQA GCSE Religions, topic 1.1.4
The Life of Buddha
The events of the life of Buddha are incredibly important for Buddhists today.
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.
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.
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.
Test yourself on The Buddha
The Conception of Buddha
What was the name of the Sage who said Siddhartha would become a king or a spiritual leader?
What is the name of the framework Buddhists use to understand Buddha's life?