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The Buddha

Adapted from Wikipedia · Discoverer experience

A peaceful seated Buddha statue from Tapa Shotor, illustrating an important moment in Buddhist history.

Siddhartha Gautama, most commonly referred to as the Buddha, was a wandering ascetic and religious teacher who lived in the eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains during the 6th or 5th century BCE and founded Buddhism. According to Buddhist legends, he was born in Lumbini, in what is now Nepal, to royal parents of the Shakya clan, but renounced his home life to live as a wandering ascetic. After leading a life of mendicancy, asceticism, and meditation, he attained nirvana at Bodh Gaya in what is now Bihar, India.

The Buddha taught a Middle Way between sensual indulgence and severe asceticism, leading to freedom from ignorance, craving, rebirth, and suffering. His core teachings are summarised in the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, a training of the mind that includes ethical training and kindness toward others, and meditative practices such as mindfulness and dhyana (meditation proper). His teachings were compiled by the Buddhist community into texts such as the Vinaya Piṭaka and the Sūtra Piṭaka, passed down through an oral tradition.

Buddhism evolved into various traditions and practices, represented by Theravāda, Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna, and spread beyond the Indian subcontinent. While Buddhism declined in India after the 8th century CE, it has grown more prominent in Southeast and East Asia.

Etymology, names and titles

The Buddha, Tapa Shotor monastery in Hadda, Afghanistan, 2nd century CE

The Buddha is known by many names and titles that describe his qualities and achievements. The word Buddha means "Awakened One" or "Enlightened One." It is not a personal name but a title for someone who has reached enlightenment, or bodhi.

His birth name was Siddhārtha Gautama. "Siddhārtha" means "He Who Achieves His Goal." "Gautama" was the name of his clan. Another common name for him is Shakyamuni, which means "Sage of the Shakyas," referring to his clan. The term Tathāgata is also used for the Buddha and means "one who has thus gone," suggesting he is beyond all ordinary limits. There are many other beautiful titles for the Buddha that describe his wisdom, teaching, and spiritual power.

Images

An ancient inscription from an Ashoka pillar at Lumbini, a historic site important in understanding early history.
A statue of Buddha Sakyamuni on the Rummindei pillar, built by Emperor Ashoka at Lumbini, a sacred site.
A historical Buddhist sculpture depicting a Buddha figure seated on a throne, surrounded by guardians, from the Mathura Museum.
The Relic Stupa at Vaishali in India, where Buddha's relics were once kept.
Historical map showing the eastern Gangetic plain and ancient kingdoms before major conquests.
An ancient Buddha figure from the mid-1st century CE, surrounded by two deities, displayed in the British Museum.
A historic temple in Lumbini, Nepal, an important cultural and religious site.
A historical stone pillar from ancient Nepal, marking an important religious site.
An ancient artwork showing the Buddha's Great Departure, surrounded by celestial beings and guards, from the Gandhara period (1st–2nd century), displayed at the Guimet Museum.
A historical relief from Borobudur in Indonesia shows Prince Siddharta Gautama giving up his royal life to become an ascetic hermit. His servants hold his crown, sword, and jewelry, while his horse stands nearby.
A traditional Thai Buddha statue showing a fasting pose, located at Wat Suthat temple.
The Mahabodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya, a sacred site for Buddhists.
Painting showing the miraculous birth of Gautama Buddha from Queen Mahamaya, illustrating a key moment in Buddhist tradition.

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on The Buddha, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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