Gautam Buddha - The Founder of Buddhism

Siddhartha Gautama was born as a prince in Kapilawaththu, Nepal, in the year 624 BC. King Suddhodana was his father, while Queen Mahamaya was his mother. Upon completing his schooling at the age of sixteen, he wed Princess Yasodara. Siddhartha received the kingdom from his father, King Suddhodana. Rahula was their baby's name.

His father was a monarch who oversaw the tribe, which was thought to be both physically and economically remote. A holy man foretold great things for the baby Siddhartha, but his mother passed away seven days after giving birth to him. He would be a fantastic military commander or king, or a superb spiritual leader. Siddhartha's father raised his son in luxury in a palace constructed especially for him and shielded him from knowledge of religion and human sorrow in order to prevent him from seeing the injustices and suffering of the world. He married at sixteen, as was customary, but he lived in complete solitude for a further thirteen years.

Siddhartha abandoned his family and palace at the age of 29 in order to live an austere life. He reasoned that by abstaining from every pleasure and comfort, he would eventually find the answers he sought. He led an extremely austere life for the following six years, fasting and eating very little until he was quite weak..

Siddhartha studied and practiced asceticism, following the teachings of numerous religious leaders as a guide in his studies and meditations. Together with five other ascetics, he pursued his new way of life. His extraordinary commitment to his mission won the five ascetics over as disciples of Siddhartha. 

One day, after going days without food, he took a bowl of rice from a small girl. Following this lunch, he came to the realisation that leading a life of intense self-denial was not the best way to attain his spiritual aims, and that living under strict physical restraints was not helping him either. Instead, he found balance in his life. But his supporters deserted him, thinking he had given up on his spiritual journey. Siddhartha urged individuals to choose a balanced route as opposed to an extreme one. This is the route he dubbed the Middle Way. Among other things, the route consists of the following: right viewpoint, right values, right speech, right action, right livelihood, and right mindfulness..

After this, Siddhartha travelled to Bodgaya, which is close to the Neranjana River. There, he sat beneath a Bodhi tree and made a pledge to stay there until he received the truths he was seeking. He meditated there till the sun rose the following day.He finally found the answers to the suffering-related issues he had been looking for after 49 days of meditation. His mind was cleansed, and he was able to perceive both his past and present lives in his thoughts. He had to defeat the terrible demon Mara at this period, who contested his right to become the Buddha. Siddhartha put his hand to the earth and begged the Earth to give witness to his enlightenment. When Mara tried to claim the enlightened condition as his own, the Earth did so and banished Mara. Siddhartha immediately saw the answers to the issues of suffering that he had been searching for for so long as a mental image of everything that had happened in the universe started to take shape. Siddhartha Gautama became the Buddha (lit. "he who is awake") in that instant of complete enlightenment.

The five ascetics he had spent so much time practicing with, who had deserted him on the brink of his enlightenment, were found approximately 100 miles distant. He delivered his first sermon, which became known as "Setting in Motion the Wheel of the Dharma," to them and the other people who had gathered. In it, he expounded on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, which would later come to be recognised as the cornerstones of Buddhism. The Four Noble Truths—Dukkha, or pain; Samudaya, or the source of suffering; Nirodha, or a state of mind free from suffering; and Marga, or the means of putting an end to suffering—were the main topics of his speech. Buddha was first hesitant to share his knowledge with others because he didn't think the general public would comprehend what he was teaching. However, after being persuaded to teach by the god Brahma, the king of gods, Buddha embarked on his mission.

The ascetics later turned into his first followers, laying the groundwork for the Sangha, or monastic community. All boundaries of class, race, sex, and past experiences were disregarded when women were accepted to the Sangha, and the only thing taken into consideration was the desire to achieve enlightenment by banishing pain and spiritual emptiness..

thereafter made amends with King Suddhodana, his father. At the age of seven, his son became a novice monk and lived with his father for the remainder of his life, while his wife became a nun.

It is thought that Gautama Buddha passed away at the age of 80. He advised his followers not to follow any leaders at the moment of his death. Throughout his life, Gautama Buddha travelled and taught a wide spectrum of people, including both nobility and outlaws.He had a significant impact on world history.