The Buddha

Siddhartha Gautama (560-483 BC) also known as The Buddha is a world renowned religious leader who has changed the face of the holy world for forever. His teachings changed the lives of many. Though he had many challenges in his life Siddhartha's commitment, strength and courage helped him achieve all goals which later contributed to his enlightenment.

Some of Buddha's Goals

The Buddha's main goal in life were to achive elightenment. When he was 29 he shaved his head and left his palace. Buddha and five other disciples dicided that to achive nirvnea they had to endue pain, fast to the point of starvation and hold their breath. Buddha still didn't feel happy so he went off had feasts and had a complete life of luxury. He was still unsatisfied so he found a Middle Way between the two extremes. As time went on he achieved the perfect happiness

The Three Sites

The Buddha wasn't very happy with his life as a prince. In his late twenties he decided that he wanted to know what life was like outside of the four walls of his palace so he went to a small neighbouring town called Kapilavatthu. As the parade went down the road Buddha saw some elderly men. He was shocked to see such imperfections in society so he wanted to see what was going on. As he walked through the streets of Kapilavatthu he came across some severely ill people and later he saw a funeral along the river. Buddha was very confused because his father never told him that we get old, sick and later die. Here is one of his quotes about that day.

When ignorant people see someone who is old, they are disgusted and horrified, even though they too will be old some day. I thought to myself: I don’t want to be like the ignorant people. After that, I couldn't feel the usual intoxication with youth anymore.

When ignorant people see someone who is sick, they are disgusted and horrified, even though they too will be sick some day. I thought to myself: I don’t want to be like the ignorant people. After that, I couldn't feel the usual intoxication with health anymore.

When ignorant people see someone who is dead, they are disgusted and horrified, even though they too will be dead some day. I thought to myself: I don’t want to be like the ignorant people. After than, I couldn't feel the usual intoxication with life anymore.
(AN III.39, interpreted)

Buddha's Mother

There is not much known about Buddha's Mother Mahamaya. The most known fact is that she died 7 days after her sons birth. The only motherly figure that Buddha really had was his mother's sister who took on the load of the mother and later married Shuddodana

The Buddha's Origin

The Buddha was born in the small town of Lumbini, Nepal in 560 bc. He lived in North-Eastern India.

Buddha's Father

Buddha's father Shuddhodana Guatama had a huge impact on Buddha's life. He sheilded Budda from all sickly, elderly, dead and religious so he would become King or Emperor. Buddha's father was the leader of the clan called the Shakya's and was emperor of what is now Southern-Nepal.