Buddha

Buddha (aka Gautama Bhuddha aka Shakyamuni Buddha) is a spiritual teacher from ancient India whose teachings formed the foundation of Buddhism.

Fast Facts:

1. Lived around 5th century BCE
2. Also known as Shakyamuni Buddha
3. Father: King Suddhodana
4. Attained enlightenment after 49 days of meditating
5. Established the Four Noble Truths

Attaining Enlightenment

Gautama Buddha was born Siddhartha Gautama to King Suddhodana in Kapilavastu. According to legend, the Buddha's birth was accompanied by a prophecy that he would either grow up to be a great king or a great holy man. Thus the Buddha's father sought to keep him indoors and away from the outside world such that he might attain the former. However, one day Buddha journeyed out from the palace and saw sickness, old age, and suffering in his subjects. Upon seeing this he decided to renounce his status as a royal and take up the life of an ascetic. After 49 days of meditation under a Bodhi Tree, he attained enlightenment. This led to his teaching based upon the four noble truths, which are:

1. Life is suffering
2. The cause of suffering is desire
3. Cessation of suffering is possible
4. The end of suffering can be attained by following the Noble Eightfold Path

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