Siddhartha Gautama
Religious Studies: KS3, topic 2.3.2
Siddhartha Gautama
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Test yourself on Siddhartha Gautama
At around what age did the Buddha leave the palace to travel around India?