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The life of the Buddha
He founded a religion that has lasted two and a half millennia, but just who was Buddha?
He founded a religion that has lasted two and a half millennia, but just who was Buddha?
The life story of the Buddha begins in Lumbini, near the border of Nepal and India, about 2,600 years
ago, where the man Siddharta Gautama was born.
Although born a prince, he realized that conditioned experiences could not provide lasting happiness or
protection from suffering. After a long spiritual search he went into deep meditation, where he realized
the nature of mind. He achieved the state of unconditional and lasting happiness: the state of
enlightenment, of buddhahood. This state of mind is free from disturbing emotions and expresses itself
through fearlessness, joy and active compassion. For the rest of his life, the Buddha taught anyone who
asked how they could reach the same state.
“I teach because you and all beings want to have happiness and want to avoid suffering. I teach the way
things are.”
– The Buddha
Buddha’s early life
Greco-buddhist representation of Buddha Shakyamuni from the ancient region of Gandhara, eastern
Afghanistan. Greek artists were most probably the authors of these early representations of the Buddha.
Greco-buddhist representation of Buddha Shakyamuni from the ancient region of Gandhara, eastern
Afghanistan. Greek artists were most probably the authors of these early representations of the Buddha.
India at the time of the Buddha was very spiritually open. Every major philosophical view was present in
society, and people expected spirituality to influence their daily lives in positive ways.
At this time of great potential, Siddhartha Gautama, the future Buddha, was born into a royal family in
what is now Nepal, close to the border with India. Growing up, the Buddha was exceptionally intelligent
and compassionate. Tall, strong, and handsome, the Buddha belonged to the Warrior caste. It was
predicted that he would become either a great king or spiritual leader. Since his parents wanted a
powerful ruler for their kingdom, they tried to prevent Siddharta from seeing the unsatisfactory nature
of the world. They surrounded him with every kind of pleasure. He was given five hundred attractive
ladies and every opportunity for sports and excitement. He completely mastered the important combat
training, even winning his wife, Yasodhara, in an archery contest.
Suddenly, at age 29, he was confronted with impermanence and suffering. On a rare outing from his
luxurious palace, he saw someone desperately sick. The next day, he saw a decrepit old man, and finally
a dead person. He was very upset to realize that old age, sickness and death would come to everyone he
loved. Siddharta had no refuge to offer them.
The next morning the prince walked past a meditator who sat in deep absorption. When their eyes met
and their minds linked, Siddhartha stopped, mesmerized. In a flash, he realized that the perfection he
had been seeking outside must be within mind itself. Meeting that man gave the future Buddha a first
and enticing taste of mind, a true and lasting refuge, which he knew he had to experience himself for
the good of all.
Buddha’s enlightenment
A painting showing the Bodhi tree under which Siddhartha Gautama, the spiritual teacher later known
as Buddha, is said to have attained enlightenment
A painting showing the Bodhi tree under which Siddhartha Gautama is said to have attained
enlightenment and become the Buddha
The Buddha decided he had to leave his royal responsibilities and his family in order to realize full
enlightenment. He left the palace secretly, and set off alone into the forest. Over the next six years, he
met many talented meditation teachers and mastered their techniques. Always he found that they
showed him mind’s potential but not mind itself. Finally, at a place called Bodhgaya, the future Buddha
decided to remain in meditation until he knew mind’s true nature and could benefit all beings. After
spending six days and nights cutting through mind’s most subtle obstacles, he reached enlightenment on
the full moon morning of May, a week before he turned thirty-five.
At the moment of full realization, all veils of mixed feelings and stiff ideas dissolved and Buddha
experienced the all-encompassing here and now. All separation in time and space disappeared. Past,
present, and future, near and far, melted into one radiant state of intuitive bliss. He became timeless,
all-pervading awareness. Through every cell in his body he knew and was everything. He became
Buddha, the Awakened One.
After his enlightenment, Buddha traveled on foot throughout northern India. He taught constantly for
forty-five years. People of all castes and professions, from kings to courtesans, were drawn to him. He
answered their questions, always pointing towards that which is ultimately real.
Throughout his life, Buddha encouraged his students to question his teachings and confirm them
through their own experience. This non-dogmatic attitude still characterizes Buddhism today.
“I can die happily. I have not kept a single teaching hidden in a closed hand. Everything that is useful for
you, I have already given. Be your own guiding light.”
– The Buddha, while leaving his body at the age of eighty
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