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Essay on Gautam Buddha

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An Introduction

Gautam Buddha is popularly called Lord Buddha or The Buddha. He was a great and religious leader of ancient India. He is regarded as the founder of Buddhism, which is one of the most followed religions in the world today.

The followers of Buddha are now called Buddhists which means the enlightened beings, the ones who have rediscovered the path to freedom starting from ignorance, craving to the cycle of rebirth and suffering. Buddha himself propagated it for nearly 45 years.

His teachings are based on his insights of suffering and dissatisfaction ending in a state called Nirvana.

Gautam Buddha is considered to be one of the greatest religious preachers in the world. He was the preacher of peace and harmony. In this Gautam Buddha essay, you will find one long and one short piece about the epic religious guru followed by many. Studying this piece will help you learn who Gautama Buddha was and what made him choose the path of spirituality. The long and short essay on Gautam Buddha will help students of Class 5 and above to write one on their own. These essays are specially designed so that you can have all the needed information about Gautam Buddha. This essay will help you to understand the life of Gautam Buddha in minimum words. Basically in a few words, this essay gives you a brief detail about Buddha.

Gautam Buddha, the messenger of peace, equality, and fraternity, was born in Lumbini in the 6th Century BC, the Terai region of Nepal. His real name was Siddhartha Gautam. He belonged to the royal family of Kapilavastu. His father was Suddhodhana, the ruler. Maya Devi, Gautam’s mother, died soon after giving birth to him. He was a thoughtful child with a broad mind. He was very disciplined and liked to question contemporary concepts to understand and gather more knowledge.

He wanted to devote his life to spirituality and meditation. This was what his father did not like about him. He went against his father’s wishes to find spirituality. His father was worried that someday, Gautam will leave his family to pursue his wishes. For this, Suddhodhana always guarded his son against the harshness surrounding him. He never let his son leave the palace anytime. When he was 18 years of age, Gautam was married to Yashodhara, a princess with magnificent beauty. They had a son named ‘Rahul’. Even though Siddhartha’s family was complete and happy, he did not find peace. His mind always urged him intending to find the truth beyond the walls.

As per the Buddhist manuscripts, when Siddhartha saw an old man, an ailing person, and a corpse, he understood that nothing in this material world is permanent. All the pleasures he enjoyed were temporary and someday, he had to leave them behind. His mind startled from the realization. He left his family, the throne, and the kingdom behind and started roaming in the forests and places aimlessly. All he wanted was to find the real truth and purpose of life. In his journey, he met with scholars and saints but nobody was able to quench his thirst for truth.

He then commenced meditation with the aim to suffer and then realized the ultimate truth sitting under a huge banyan tree after 6 years. It was in Bodh Gaya in Bihar. He turned 35 and was enlightened. His wisdom knew no boundaries. The tree was named Bodhi Vriksha. He was very satisfied with his newly found knowledge and gave his first speech on enlightenment in Sarnath. He found the ultimate truth behind the sorrows and troubles people face in the world. It was all due to their desires and attraction to earthly things.

A couple of centuries after he died, he came to be known as the Buddha which means the enlightened one. All the teachings of Buddha were compiled in the Vinaya. His teachings were passed to the Indo-Aryan community through oral traditions.

In his lecture, he mentioned the Noble Eightfold Path to conquer desires and attain full control. The first 3 paths described how one can gain physical control. The next 2 paths showed us how to achieve the fullest mental control. The last 2 paths were described to help people attain the highest level of intellect. These paths are described as Right Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration synchronously.

The title “Buddha” was used by several ancient groups and for each group, it had its meaning. The word Buddhism refers to a living being who has got enlightened and just got up from his phase of ignorance. Buddhism believes that there have been Buddhas in the past before Gautam Buddha and there will be Buddhas in the future also. The Buddhists celebrate the life of Gautam Buddha starting from his birth to his enlightenment and passage into Nirvana stage as well.

In his life, Gautam Buddha had done a lot of spiritual things and lived his life by going through so much. Each suffering and each liberation of his has turned into teachings.

Some of them are explained below:

Finding Liberation: the ultimate motive of our soul is to find liberation.

The Noble truth of Life: for salvation, you need to know about all the four Noble truths of your life.

Suffering is not a Joke:   each suffering leads you to experience a new you.

There are noble eightfold paths that you need to follow.

Death is final, the one who has taken birth will die surely and everything in life is impermeable, you are not going to have anything that will be permanent so focus on salvation rather than pleasing others.

He preached that only sacrifice cannot make a person happy and free from all the bonds he has in the world. He also defined the final goal as Nirvana. Even to this day, his preaching finds meaning and can be related to our sorrows. According to his teachings, the right way of thinking, acting, living, concentrating, etc can lead to such a state. He never asked anyone to sacrifice or pray all day to achieve such a state. This is not the way to gain such a mindful state.

He didn’t mention any god or an almighty controlling our fate. His teachings are the best philosophical thoughts one can follow. Gautam Buddha was his new name after gaining Nirvana and knowing the truth. He was sure that no religion can lead to Nirvana. Only the Noble Eightfold Path can be the way to achieve such a state. He breathed last in 483 BC in Kushinagar, now situated in Uttar Pradesh and his life became an inspiration.

Even after being in a happy family with a loving wife and son, he left his royal kingdom in search of the truth. No one was able to satisfy him with knowledge. He then attained his enlightenment under a banyan tree in Bodh Gaya. He described the Noble Eightfold Path that everyone should follow to get rid of sorrow and unhappiness. He died in 483 BC but his preaching is found to be still relevant to this date. This tells us how Siddhartha became Gautam Buddha. It also tells us about his valuable preaching and shows us the way to achieve Nirvana.

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FAQs on Essay on Gautam Buddha

1. What made Siddhartha realize pleasures are Temporary?

When he first saw an ailing person, a corpse, and an old man, he realized worldly pleasures are temporary. He realized that all the pleasures that this world is running behind are fake. Nothing will stay forever, even the ones whom you love the most will leave you sooner or later, so you should not run behind these material pleasures. Focus on attaining salvation. Everyone who has taken birth will definitely leave one day, the thing that you have today will not be there tomorrow. There is only one soul for yourself. The body or the material things that you are proud of today will leave you tomorrow. Everything is not going to be the same.

2. What did he do to achieve Knowledge and Peace?

Gautam Buddha was more focused on achieving salvation, he wanted to know the truth of life. He wanted to have knowledge of all the things and peace along with Moksha. To receive knowledge and peace, Gautam Buddha left his home and his family behind. He wandered here and there aimlessly just to find peace in his life. Not only this, he talked with many scholars and saints so that he could receive the knowledge of everything that he was searching for. 

3. What did he Preach?

Gautam Buddha was the preacher of peace. In this essay, we are introduced to the preaching of Gautam Buddha. He has taught all about how to receive salvation and attain Nirvana without following any particular religion. Some of his preachings are :

Have respect for your life.

No lying and respect for honesty.

No sexual misconduct and at least you should respect the people of the same community and respect women as well. 

The path of sufferings, truth of causes; these factors will create a path of salvation for you. You need to believe in the reality of life and then move towards attaining the ultimate.

4. Does Gautam Buddha believe in God?

Buddhists actually don't believe in any dainty figure or God but according to them, there are some supernatural powers present in this universe that can help people or they can even encourage people to move toward enlightenment. Gautam Buddha, on seeing people dying and crying, realized that human life is nothing but suffering and all you need to do is get over this materialistic world and lead your life towards attaining salvation. Nothing is permanent nor even this body, so enlighten yourself towards the path of salvation.

500 Words Essay on GAUTAM BUDDHA and Buddhism

essay on gautam buddha 500 words in english

Gautam Buddha was one of the greatest religious teachers of the world. He gave the message of truth, peace, humanity and equality. His teachings and sayings became the basis of Buddhism, one of world’s leading religions which are followed in some countries like Japan, China, and Burma etc.

He is believed to have been born in Lumbini forests in Nepalese Terai in the sixth century B.C. Before he became the Buddha (the Enlightened), he was called Siddharth. His father’s name was Suddhodana, who was the ruler of Kapilvastu. His mother’s name was Maya Devi, who died soon after Siddharth’s birth.

Siddharth was a child with a contemplative bent of mind. He was inclined towards meditation and spiritual pursuits much against the wishes of his father. His father feared that Siddharth might leave home, and so, kept tried to insulate him from the harsh realities of the world outside by keeping him inside the palace all the time.

He even arranged his marriage with a beautiful princess Yashodhara when he was 18. They had a son named Rahul. But all these could not change the mind of young Siddharth.

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The Buddhist traditions mention that when Siddharth encountered an old man, a sick person and a dead body, he realized how short lived is worldly passions and pleasures. Soon after he left his family and Kingdom and went into the forest in search of peace and truth. He wandered from place to place to gain knowledge. He met many scholars and saints but he was not satisfied.

At last he started hard meditation bearing great physical suffering. After six years of wandering and meditation Siddharth got enlightment when he was sitting in meditation under a pipal tree in the town of Ganges (Bihar).

Siddharth now got transformed into Buddha or the enlightened one at the age of the thirty five. The pipal tree under which he got Enlightment came to be known as Bodhi Vriksha.

Buddha attained what he wished for. He preached his first sermon in Sarnath, near Varanasi. He taught that the world is full of sorrows and people suffer on account of desire. Hence desires needed to be conquered by following Eightfold Path. Of these eight paths, the first three would ensure physical control, the next two ensures mental control, and the last two would ensure intellectual development.

Buddha taught that the final goal of every Buddhist is the attainment of ‘Nirvana’. ‘Nirvana’ could be attained neither by prayer nor by sacrifice. It can be achieved by right kind of living and thinking. Buddha did not speak of God and his teachings constitute more of a philosophy and system of ethics than a religion. Buddhism affirms the law of Karma by which a person’s action in life determines his status in future incarnations.

Buddhism is identified with the principles of non-violence. The Tripitika’ is a collection of Buddha’s teachings, life and philosophical discourses on the teachings and the commentaries. Buddha attained his Nirvana in Khushinagar (U.P.) in 483 B.C.

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Essay on Gautam Buddha in English For Students and Children

We are Sharing Essay on Gautam Buddha in English for students and children- In this article, we have tried our best to give the best essay about Gautama Buddha for Classes 5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12 and Graduation in 200, 300, 400, 500, 800 1000 words, a Short essay on Gautam Buddha.

essay on gautam buddha 500 words in english

Essay on Gautam Buddha in 150 to 250 words

Gautama Buddha who started Buddhism is known as the Rational Prophet and Philosopher. It is so because he believes, not in blind faith but in reason, inquiry, test, analysis, research, and insight.

He is said to have been born in 563 BC at Lumbini in the Kapilvastu state. He was the son of Shudhodhana, the king of Kapilvastu and his childhood name was Siddhartha.

He was very compassionate by nature from his very childhood and loved solitude. He was not fond of a luxurious life as was available in the palace.

In order to draw his attention to the pursuit of worldly pleasures, the king married him to a beautiful Princess Yashodhara. She bore him a charming son, Rahul. But Siddhartha still could not give up the unworldly outlook.

He wanted to move out of the palace and reach out to the people to know their real position, but he was forbidden to do so by the king.

Also Read- 10 Lines on Gautam Buddha

One day he disguised himself as a merchant and went out of the palace with his charioteer who was disguised as a clerk.

He was greatly pained to see an old man, a sick man, and a dead man. He is known to have uttered: “Either, there is no God or if He is there, He is too cruel or indifferent to allow so much misery in the world.”

One night, he kissed his sleeping wife and child for the last time and left the palace never to return again. He went out in search of truth and in his endeavor to find out some means for mitigating the misery of the world.

He attained enlightenment as he was sitting under the Bodhi Tree at Gaya. Thereafter, he traveled far and wide to spread his message and to make known to the people the truth that he had discovered.

The people gave him the title “Gautam Buddha.” He preached the Middle course, Eightfold Path for Truth, non-violence, and service to human beings and animals.

His message which assumed the shape of Buddhism spread far and wide in India and later to several countries including Sri Lanka, China, Japan, Thailand, Korea, etc.

Buddhism spread in full fury after Emperor Ashoka embraced it and sent his missionaries, including his son, Mahendra, and daughter, Sanghmitra to several countries to spread it.

The Buddha attained salvation in 483 BC at Kushinagar in Deoria (Uttar Pradesh).

Gautam Buddha Essay in 500 to 600 words

Gautam Buddha is among the greatest religious teachers of the world. He gave the message of truth, peace, humanity, and equality. He founded Buddhism. It is followed in China, Japan, Burma, and the countries of Southeast Asia.

Gautam Buddha was born in 563 BC in the Lumbini forests in Nepalese Terai. His father, Suddhodana was the ruler of Kapilavastu and the chief of the Sakya clan. His mother’s name was Mahamaya. Gautam Buddha’s childhood name was Siddhartha.

Buddha was a child with a contemplative bent of mind. His father always worried that his son might leave home to become a wandering ascetic’ as the Brahmans had predicted. So, he took every care to influence him in favour of worldly life. Gautam Buddha was married at the age of 16, to a beautiful princess Yashodhara. He lived in luxury and comfort. A son, Rahul, was born to him.

A turning point in prince Siddhartha’s life came when he was 29 years old. Driving with his charioteer, one day he saw an old man, as bent as a roof gable. Another day he saw a sick man, suffering and very ill. On a third occasion, he saw a dead body. All these produced a profound effect on his mind. Miseries of old age, the dying Sickman, and mysteries of death puzzled and haunted Buddha’s thoughts. He felt that life was an imitation cover only.

The actual was missing and he must look for the real. He departed from the palace quietly leaving his wife, infant son, and all the royal comforts in search of peace and truth.

He visited many places, met many scholars and saints but was not satisfied. After six years of wandering and meditation, at the age of 35, Siddhartha got enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. Siddhartha got transformed into ‘Buddha’ or ‘enlightened’. The pipal tree under which he got enlightenment came to be known as the ‘Bodhi Tree’.

Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath called ‘Turning of the Wheel of Law’. Buddha taught that the root cause of suffering is desire. The essence of Buddha’s early preaching are the Four Noble Truths :

1. Life is fundamentally disappointment and suffering; 2. Suffering is a result of one’s desires for pleasure, power, and continued existence; 3. In order to stop disappointment and suffering, one must stop desiring; 4. The way to stop desiring and thus suffering is by following the Noble Eightfold Path (ashtangika marg). The Eightfold Path is right views, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right awareness, and right concentration.

Buddha also attacked some religious and social practices of his times. He refused to recognize the religious significance of the caste system. But he recognized the connection between economic welfare and moral development. According to Buddha, trying to suppress crime through punishment is futile4. Poverty is the cause of immorality and crime. Therefore, he laid stress on the improvement of the economic condition of the people.

Buddha was a man of great wisdom and great compassion. He spent his life spreading his teachings, making converts to the religious truths and beliefs he propounded, and training large numbers of learned, well-disciplined followers to continue the work after his death.

Buddha attained nirvana in Kushinagar (Uttar Pradesh) in 483 BC. Before his soul rested in peace, he uttered his famous last words: ‘Be you lamps unto yourselves. Hold fast to the Truth as a lamp, look not for refuge to anyone besides yourselves.’

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Essay On Gautam Buddha – 10 Lines, Short And Long Essay For Children

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Key Points To Note: Essay On Gautam Buddha For Lower Primary Classes

10 lines on gautam buddha in english for kids, short essay on gautam buddha for kids, long essay on gautam buddha for children, interesting facts about gautam buddha for kids, what will your child learn from this essay.

Everybody knows Gautam Buddha as the embodiment of peace, serenity, wisdom and enlightenment. The Buddha figurines and statues are popular as a reminder in homes and offices to maintain calmness and focus. From a moral and philosophical perspective, children have much to gain by writing an essay on Gautam Buddha. Their research on the topic will familiarise them with one of the most loved and respected spiritual leaders. This article will show you how to write an essay for classes 1, 2 and 3 on Gautam Buddha.

Here are some important points to remember when writing an essay on Gautam Buddha:

  • Essays on Gautam Buddha should have basic facts about him, such as his place of birth, the names of his family, and his early life.
  • Long and short-form essays should have introductory and concluding lines.
  • The narrative of the events of his life should be chronological to keep the readers engaged.
  • Avoid including exaggerated content in the essay, and stick to simple facts.

One-line essays are a great place to start essay writing for children. Here is an example of an essay for classes 1 and 2 on Gautam Buddha:

  • Gautam Buddha is the founder of Buddhism.
  • He was born to a royal family in 623 BC in Lumbini, Nepal.
  • His father was King Shuddhodan, and his mother was   Queen Maya.
  • His mother died soon after he was born, so he was raised by a stepmother Mahaprajapati.
  • In his childhood, he was also called Siddharta.
  • Gautam was given all the material pleasures to stop him from leaving the palace.
  • He fell into deep contemplation at first sight of illness and death, and decided to find a way to end the suffering.
  • Gautam left his wife, kingdom and son Rahula to find the solution to suffering.
  • After six long years of penance and meditation, he finally attained enlightenment under the bodhi tree.
  • Gautama taught the noble eight-fold path to free oneself from suffering until he died.

A short paragraph on Gautam Buddha is a good exercise for the narration of a story in brief. Children can learn from this 150-word essay on Gautama Buddha:

Gautam Buddha is one of the most well-known spiritual leaders in history who started the religion of Buddhism. He was born in Lumbini, near the Indo-Nepal border, in the 6th century BC. He belonged to a wealthy family. His mother died shortly after his birth, and he was raised as a prince with every imaginable comfort and luxury.

Not knowing suffering or death, Gautama was touring his kingdom one day when he came across sick and dead people. Deeply disturbed by the existence of suffering in the world, he decided to find a way out of it. He left his wife and child to live an ascetic life and find answers to existential problems.

Wandering in search of truth, he reached Gaya, where he sat in penance under a peepal tree. Having meditated for years under the tree, he finally attained enlightenment one morning under the very tree. The enlightened Gautam Buddha then set out to teach what he had learned to the rest of the world. His teachings eventually became the basis of the religion of Buddhism.

Essay On Gautam Buddha - 10 Lines, Short and Long Essay for Children

A long composition should have a good narrative to keep the reader engaged. Here is an example of an essay for class 3 on Gautam Buddha:

Born in the 6th century BC, Siddharta Gautama was a prince of a small kingdom in the Terai region of Nepal. His mother dreamed that the boy would grow up to become a great king or saint but died soon after his birth. His father, king Suddhodhana, was worried that he might leave the kingdom to become a saint and changed the environment of the palace to be one of endless comforts and pleasures. As Gautam grew into a young man, he was kept away from anything that would provoke spiritual thoughts. He was married to Yashodhara, a beautiful princess with whom he had a son named Rahula.

While on a tour of the kingdom one day, Gautam saw an ailing person and a corpse. He was disturbed by it as he had never known suffering in his lavish life. He soon worried that his life of pleasure also had a timeline and nothing was permanent. Deeply troubled by the thought, he looked for answers but found none that satisfied him. Gautam then decided to find the answers for himself and left behind his family and kingdom.

Gautam searched for answers and studied under many gurus but never felt satisfied with the answers. He tried meditation techniques and every trick in the books. Finally, when nothing came to fruition, he starved himself thinking his physical being was the problem. A kind woman offered him rice to eat, and it suddenly rejuvenated him that punishing himself was not the way.

Recovering from starvation, he sat under the bodhi tree   and vowed not to leave until he experienced an awakening. His effort paid off, and after six long years of searching, he finally attained enlightenment under the same tree. Gautam Buddha went ahead to teach what he had learned and become a great leader. His teachings eventually became central to Buddhism, one of the most respected religions in the world.

Here are some interesting facts about Gautam Buddha:

  • Gautama Buddha left home in search of spirituality.
  • He gave up his palace life after seeing four things – a corpse, an old man, a sick man, and a wandering ascetic.
  • To stop him from becoming a sage, he was married at 16.
  • He left his palace at 29 and attained enlightenment at 35.
  • He died at the age of 80.

The Gautam Buddha essay is a source of good information on the topic for children. By studying the long and short-form articles written above, they can learn how to write an essay on Buddha.

1. What Did Gautam Buddha Do To Attain Knowledge And Peace?

Gautam Buddha gave up his family, kingdom and lavish life to live and wander as an ascetic for years. He learnt various important things through his journey, including meditation, which finally blossomed as his enlightenment. With his awakening, he was liberated from the cycles of birth and death and instantly at peace.

2. What Does Buddhism Teach Us?

Buddhism teaches us the most basic truths about existence:

  • The fact of suffering in reality
  • The reason behind suffering
  • The end of suffering
  • The path one should take to end suffering

Gautam Buddha was an enlightened teacher who led many to the path of righteous life and out of suffering. The above essays are a snapshot of his life and some events, teaching a great deal about him.

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Life of Gautama Buddha and his Teachings

essay on gautam buddha 500 words in english

Buddha, the light of Asia, was one of the greatest men of all times. Great was his teaching which the mightiest religion of humanity became.

The name, of Gautama Buddha has enriched the history of India more than any other name.

The founder of the largest religion on earth, he was the only man in history to be regarded as God by a larger part of mankind.

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Gautama was born in the Kshatriya Sakya clan of the state of Kapilavastu, situated in the Tarain region of modern Nepal. The exact place of his birth was the garden of Lumbini-Grama near the city of Kapilavastu. At a much later date, Emperor Asoka Maurya erected the famous Rummindei pillar at that place to make it ever memorable. Lumbini is now known as Rummindei or Rupandehi.

Gautama was the son of the Sakya chief of Kapilavastu, Suddhodana. His mother was Maya Devi who died seven days after the birth of her son. The child thereupon was nursed by his step-mother and mother’s sister, Mahaprajapati Gautaini. According to her name, the child was named as Gautama. The family also belonged to the Gautama gotra. Another name of Gautama was Siddhartha.

The exact dates of the birth and death of Gautama Buddha are not yet definitely known to history, though it is known for certain that he lived a life of 80 years. There are two theories about these dates, supported by # arguments. According to a calculation derived from the Sinhalese tradition, Buddha was born in 623 B.C. and died in 543 B.C. at the age of eighty. These dates are supported by some historical evidences. But, by another calculation derived from the established dates of Asoka’s life, the dates of Buddha are seen to be different from the above noted dates.

According to this calculation, the coronation of Asoka took place 218 years after the death of Buddha. The established dates of Asoka show that he came to the throne in 273 B.C. and was coroneted after four years in 269 B.C. If Buddha had died 218 year before Asoka’s coronation, the date of Buddha’s death falls in 487 B.C. and his date of birth thus comes to 567 B.C.

These dates are supported by another historical evidence of great value. At Canton, a dot was put on a record for each year after the death of Buddha.

This was continued till the year 489 A.D. The total number of the Canton Dots is seen to be 975. When the number of the years of the Christian Era, namely, 489 is taken out from the total number of dots, that is, 975, it brings the number to 486. Thus, according to the calculation from the famous Canton Dots, the date of the death of Buddha falls in 486 or 487 B.C.

Thus, from view point of Asoka’s coronation date and the Canton Dots, the year of birth of Buddha may be taken as 566 or 567 B.C. and the year of death as 486 or 487 B.C.

Early life:

Much of the life of Buddha is shrouded in mystery. But much of it also appears clearer from the Buddhist sources. It is said that from his childhood young Gautama showed signs of detachment towards the worldly life. Yet as a khyatriya prince he was given the customary training in the use of arms and weapons, in riding horse and driving chariot.

Father Suddhodana paid enough attention to keep the mind of his son engaged in the stately activities. The palace of Kapilavastu also presented enough of pleasures and luxuries for enjoyment. But, Gautama was seen to have possessed no attraction for the so-called happiness of life. Everything appeared rather painful to him.

When he was sixteen, he got married to Yosodhara, also named as Subhadraka, Gopa or Bimba. Marriage was yet another bond for the thoughtful prince. For several years thereafter Gautama enjoyed the usual pleasures and comforts of the palace like other youthful princes elsewhere.

Four great signs:

At last, he came across four scenes of man’s existence which left a deep impression on his thought. One day, as his charioteer, Chhanna, took the prince through the streets of Kapilavastu, Gautama saw on old man, bent with age, and having wrinkled face, and presenting a pathetic appearance. He came to understand that the miseries of the old age were natural in life.

Subsequently, when be saw another man, suffering from disease with extreme pain, he was told by the charioteer that sickness and disease were like the companions of life. The third scene was yet more shocking, when the prince came across the sight of a dead man, being carried by his sorrowful relatives, weeping and lamenting. He came to know that man had no escape from death which was inevitable.

Regarding the futility of life which ends in death, prince Gautama is said to have thought about the indifferences of living man towards that absolute reality.

One day the following feeling came to his mind:

“How senseless the man appears to me

whose neighbour ill and old and dead.

He sees and yet holds fast

to the good things of this

life and is not thrilled with anxiety.

It is as if a tree divested of all flower and fruit

must fall or be pulled down – unaffected remaining the

neighbouring trees.”

While overtaken by distressing thoughts of old age, disease and death, Gautama came across yet another scene. It was the sight of a sannyasi who had renounced everything and was walking alone without any sign of worries or anxieties on his happy face.

These four experiences of prince Gautama had been described as the Four Great Signs. They proved like a turning point in his life, causing him to think seriously on the meaning of human existence. While a change of mind was thus taking place, Gautama was blessed with a son at the age of 29. To him, it was yet another bond to tie him to worldly life.

Great Renunciation:

Without waiting further, Gautama decided to renounce the world. So, at the age of 29, in the silent hours of a dark night, he came out of the palace, leaving behind his sleeping wife and the son, as well as his old father, and accompanied by his faithful charioteer Chhanna, disappeared into darkness “from a home to a homeless life”. This event in Gautama’s life is famous as the Great Renunciation.

At the boundary of the Sakya territory, Gautama asked Chhanna (or Chauna) to return to Kapilavastu and tell his father “not to make efforts to find his whereabouts, because he had now accepted, once and for all, the homeless way of life of a wandering monk”. When the most devoted charioteer insisted that he should stay with the prince, Gautama persuaded him to go back saying that “man is born alone and he must pass away alone. And in aloneness the whole truth of life was hidden”. Gautama wanted to search the truth alone.

The prince proceeded to Rajagriha and tried to satisfy his inner hunger at the feet of two learned saints named Alara and Udraka. For some time there after he tried to seek guidance from various wise teachers, but got no satisfaction. Thereupon he decided to subject his body to extreme physical pain. Going to dense forests, far from human beings, he practised hard penance. For six years he was thus wandering from place to place in the quest of answers to his doubts. At Uruvilwa near Gaya, he practised the most severe penance by reducing his body almost to bones and skins. That, too did not bring any result.

Enlightenment:

So, finally, there at Uruvilwa, after taking a bath in river Niranjana, he sat down under a pipal tree with the supreme resolve: “I will not leave this place till I attain that peace of mind which I have been trying for all these years”. As he sat in deep meditation, there at last came to him the great knowledge from the ‘Great Unknown’. Prince Gautama Siddhartha got the Enlightenment and became the Buddha or the Enlightened One. He also came to be known as Tathagata or one who attained the Truth and the Sakya-Muni or the Sage of the Sakyas. Buddha was then 35 years in age.

The Pipal Tree under which he got enlightenment became famous as the Bodhi Tree, and the place came to be known as Bodh Gaya.

The truth which Buddha got was the “Truth underlying life as a whole, namely, Life is full of Suffering, Desire is the cause of Suffering, Suffering ends at the destruction of Desire and Desire is destroyed by Right Living.”

It is worth noting here the words of Buddha at this moment as contained in the Buddhist texts:

“This Truth will not be easy to understand by beings that are lost in lust and hatred. Given to lust, surrounded with thick darkness, they will not see what goes against the current of their thoughts. This Truth is abstruse, profound, difficult to perceive, and very subtle”.

“When I pondered over this matter, my mind became inclined to remain quiet and not to preach the Truth to anyone.

“Then something happened. Two merchants from Orissa and travelling on the road with their wagons observed me seated under a tree. They offered me food in the form of rice-cakes and lumps of honey in a stone-bowl. They gave their names as Tapassu and Bliallika”.

“They evinced great interest and asked questions which I answered. To my great surprise, I found them very receptive. I felt sure that they understood the essence of the new teaching. And on their insistence I agreed to accept them as my disciples. They became my first lay disciples. They told me that they would propagate the truth themselves as best they could and also through their many travelling merchant friends”.

“This proved to be a great event. It brought about a change in my resolve not to propagate the truth. My encounter with the two travelling merchants convinced me that there were men in the world who could understand the truth”.

Dharma Chakra Pravartana:

After deciding to preach the truth, Buddha proceeded from Bodh Gaya to the Deer Park in Sarnath where he gave his first sermons to five Brahmins. This event is famous as the Dharma Chakra Pravartana or the Turning of the Wheel of Law. Thus began the mission of Buddha as a preacher. There also began the rise of the Buddhist Order of Monks or the Buddhist Sangha.

For long 45 years Buddha travelled with his disciples to preach his doctrines. He visited many places including Kapilavastu where his own son Rahul was taken to the new faith and became a monk. As Buddha moved, princes and people alike felt attracted towards his teachings.

At places like Benares, Uruvilva and Rajagriha, hundreds of people became his disciples. At Shravasti, Kapilavastu, Vaisali and Magadha, Buddha’s message spread among myriads of men. Among his famous disciples, the names of Sariputta, Moggalayana, Sanjuya, Rahula (Buddha’s own son), Aniruddha, Ananda, Upali and Sudatta occupy permanent places in Buddhist history. A new wave of religious thinking soon swept over the country.

Describing his daily life as a preacher, historian Oldenberg writes:

“In the days when his reputation stood at its highest point, and his name was named throughout India among the foremost names, one might day by day see that man, before whom kings bowed themselves, walking about, begging alms, bowl in hand, through streets and alleys, from house to house and without uttering any request, with downcast look, stand silently waiting until a morsel of food was thrown into his bowl”.

Buddha died at the age of 80 at a place named Kusinagar in the present day Gorakhpur district of modern Uttar Pradesh. Till the last moment of his life he was a wandering preacher. At the very moment of death, he gave the following instruction to his faithful disciple Ananda:

“Therefore, O Ananda, be ye lamps unto yourselves. Betake yourselves to no external refuge. Hold fast to the Truth as a lamp. Hold fast as a refuge to the Truth. Look not for refuge to any one besides yourselves”.

While uttering these words, he closed his eyes. The Nirvana of Buddha took place in the year 486 B.C. The Great Decease of Buddha is known as the Parinirvana.

It was Buddha’s renunciation, his search for truth, his valuable discoveries regarding the earthly sufferings of man, his earnest endeavour for liberation of man from the bondage of desires, and his ultimate advice for a nobler and better life for salvation, made deep appeals to human mind. The story of his life has ever remained a source of spiritual inspiration to millions. In a world of sufferings, he suffered himself to know the means of eternal happiness. And, he lived to teach man the meaninglessness of worldly affairs.

Buddha’s own life was a life of supreme dedication. At a time when his fame was at its height, and when his name was on the lips of millions of men all over India, and when monarchs bowed before him in veneration, he was himself moving with a begging bowl in hand for a morsel of food just for survival. That is how lived the greatest Indian ever born and the founder of world’s largest religion.

Teachings of Buddha :

The religion of Buddha is famous as Buddhism. The followers of that religion are known as Buddhists. In his teachings, Buddha showed a new path. In his religious mission, he did not give value to the so-called sacred rites and rituals. Instead, he showed the way for a life of ethics and spirituality. He preached in simple language and to the common people. His doctrines were simple as well as practical for adoption.

He preached against the extreme means of worldly life which led to man’s self indulgence, pleasures and unending desires. At the same time, he did not prescribe for the common man extreme hardship of ascetic life by physical punishment and self torture. His was the noble ‘Middle Path’ which was possible for every man to follow. Between the two extremes of pleasures and penance, he showed the path of a really virtuous life.

The following main doctrines constitute the substance of his teachings:

The Four Noble Truths or the Arya Satya :

In his enlightenment, Buddha discovered the real causes of the miseries of human existence. He also discovered the way to escape from those miseries which followed endlessly in the wheel of Karma, birth and rebirth. These discoveries were called the Four Noble Truths.

The first truth was the Truth of Pain or Sorrow. “Birth is pain, old age is pain, sickness is pain, death is pain.” felt Buddha. Everything in the world was transient, sorrowful and full of pain. The existence of this sorrow was in the nature of life.

The second truth, according to Buddha, was the Truth of the Cause of Pain or Sorrow. This cause was the Desire. The desire or the Trishna was the lust and the thirst for all worldly things. It was the root of all evils leading to pain.

The third truth was the Truth to end the Pain or Sorrow. This end or cessation of pain was possible by ending desires. Elimination of desires was to lead to the end of sorrows. Perfect bliss was to follow the end of the sorrows. It was like the end of life and death. It was the real freedom or emancipation.

The fourth truth was the Truth to End the Desires. This was possible by a noble way to attain the real bliss without desires. Extreme penance was not necessary for this, while extreme pleasure was unnecessary by all means. Avoiding both, it was the noble middle path which was the right way to end the Desires. This path was to lead to the real state of freedom or emancipation. Buddha described this path as the Arya Astangika Marga or the Noble Eight-fold, path. This Path was the real path to end the cycle of Karma and the rebirth.

The Noble Eight-fold Path :

Buddha gave eight principles to follow as his noble eight-fold path. They were: the Right Vision, Right Aims, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Efforts, Right Mindfulness, and Right Meditation.

By right vision or views, Buddha meant that man should realise how sorrowful was this world for man’s greeds, desires and selfishness. Man should, therefore, rise above for a new vision for his own happiness and for the happiness of all. By right aims or aspirations, man should not run behind his power and wealth, and should not run for passion, pleasures and enjoyment. Instead, he should aim at loving other fellow men and giving them happiness. By right speech, man should give up falsehood, lies, criticism of others and quarrels which spoil the peace of others and of the society.

Instead, man should be truthful in his words and friendly and kind in his talks. By right action or conduct, man should avoid violence and killing, give up harmful acts like theft, and stealing, and instead could work for the good of all in a virtuous way. By right livelihood, Buddha advised man to live by harmless means, not by selling or taking wine or butchering animals for himself or others.

Instead, he should live an honest and simple life for peace within and peace outside. By right effort or exertion, Buddha meant a correct discipline in mind and action not for any evil thought or practice, but for a proper exercise towards all that was good. Man was asked to give up evil designs from his thought and to develop nobler feelings for better efforts.

By right mindfulness or awareness, Buddha wanted man to be conscious of the unrealities of his existence, unrealities of the body and the bodily pleasures, the meaninglessness of the worldly bonds and attachments. Instead, he was to search for the real happiness beyond the flesh and material existence which had no substance. Finally, by right meditation or contemplation, Buddha wanted man to concentrate his mind on the real truth of existence. It was necessary for the discipline and training of the mind towards the higher goal.

The Noble Eight-fold Path was thus a code of conduct for every man. It became the basis of Buddhism as a religion. It was a religion for social happiness of all. Buddhism has been rightly described as ‘the most social of religions’.

Buddha taught the householders:

“Honouring mother and father, cherishing of child and wife,

And a peaceful occupation: This is the best good omen.

Giving of alms and righteous life, to cherish kith and kin,

Doing deeds that bring no blame: This is the best good omen.

Ceasing and abstaining from sin, to shun intoxicating drinks,

Not neglecting religious duties: This is the best good omen”.

The Path which Buddha showed was a practical path to follow. This path was meant for the common people as the lay disciples of the faith. For the Buddhist monks there were other strict regulations like celibacy which were not binding on the lay followers.

Non-violence and Morality :

Buddha was the prophet of non-violence. “Let not one kill any living being”, he said. Ultimately, the philosophy of non-violence became a cardinal principle of Buddhism. The Buddhists rejected animal sacrifice and killing of animals in every form. Non-violence also called for kindness towards all creatures. It denied man to hate man. “Let a man overcome anger by kindness, evil by good….Never in the world hatred ceases by harted. Hatred ceases by love”, said Buddha.

Social morality was given the highest priority in Buddhist thought. “Let not one take what is not given to him; let not one speak falsely, let not one drink intoxicating drinks; let not one be unchaste”, were Buddha’s guidelines for moral living.

Buddha did not preach the Fatherhood of God. Instead, he preached the Brotherhood of Men. His religion thus rested on ethics, morality and virtue. It rejected worships, rituals and rites. It has thus no respect for the priestly class and the so-called high-born. Buddha opened the doors of his Sangha to all men.

He asked his followers to preach the Noble Path by advising them: “Go into all lands and preach this gospel. Tell them that the poor and the lowly, the rich and the high, are all one, and that all castes unite in this religion as do the rivers in the sea”.

Karma and Rebirth :

In the Buddhist thought, the doctrine of Karma and rebirth was given great prominence. It was the Karma of the creature which caused its transmigration. Man’s action in life could be bad or good. For Karma, he was destined to suffer when reborn in form of any living creature. The chain of birth, death and rebirth was thus endless. To Buddha, the supreme purpose of consciousness was to attain liberation from that endless chain of misery.

In view of the danger of Karma, Buddha left a serene message to men to understand the value of a good life and of good actions.

“Happy the solitude of the peaceful; who knows and beholds truth

“Happy is he who stands firmly unmoved, who holds himself in check at all times.

“Happy he whose every sorrow, Whose every wish is at an end.

“The conquest of the stubbornness of the egoity is truly the supreme happiness”.

In his search for that ultimate liberation, Buddha brought the concept of Nirvana. Nirvana was the eternal salvation from the misery of existence. To enjoy the bliss of Nirvana, he advised man to follow the Middle Path or the Noble Eight-fold Path of a purer life. It should be a life of no possessions, no desires and no worldly attachment. It should also be a life of compassion, goodness and kindness.

As Buddha said:

“When one sees sorrow, suffering or misery as the first and the most fundamental Truth underlying human existence, while one is walking on the ‘Middle Path’, one also becomes aware of the fact that, there is only misery and no one miserable ; there is only action and no doer of action.

This awareness, friends, is the indication of the fact that when one has started to walk on the Middle Path one becomes aware that it leads to Nirvana or liberation from all bondage. And, when one now looks at the world around him, one sees that most men feel miserable and are driven to do this, that or any other thing to be free from misery.

This doer, with which men identify themselves, is the generator of all misery. The doer is the ego. But to one who is walking on the Middle Path, there is only misery and not the miserable, there is action and not the doer of action”.

To Buddha, “the Eight-fold Path would bring the realisation that everything was transitory, full of misery and unreal. The sense of nothingness would take away the sense of ‘I-ness’ or ‘me’, and destroy the ego. It would bring a state of happiness, far above selfish desires and worldly attachment. That would liberate the man from his self-consciousness and from rebirth. With desires gone and with the annihilation of the self, the Nirvana comes as the final liberation from all pains, and the pain of worldly existence once for all.”

Thus, the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eight-fold Path and the realisation of Nirvana were the basic fundamentals of Buddha’s teachings.

Spread of Buddhism :

A messiah of the poor and the down trodden, Buddha believed in equality of status and freedom for all. He wanted to improve the existing pattern rather than replace it with a new one.

The ethics and morality which Buddha propounded as the true religion of mankind created a deep impression on the Indian mind. Both the learned and the common men saw in Buddha’s teachings a remarkable way of life for true happiness. During his life, as he preached, his words attracted princes and the poor alike. A new mental ferment was marked, with far reaching consequences.

Soon after the death of Buddha, the First Buddhist Council was held at Rajagriha where 500 Buddhist monks gathered from different Sanghas. The Council adopted the sayings of Buddha as the canonical texts for future guidance of men. They were divided into two parts, namely, the Vinaya Pitaka and the Dhamma Pitaka. Mahakassapa, the President of the council, and two other disciples of Buddha named Upali and Ananda conducted the works of the Council and guided the Sangha.

The Second Buddhist Council met one hundred years after the death of Buddha at Vaisali under the patronage of the king of Magadha. The Third Buddhist Council was held at Pataliputra during the reign of Asoka. It was presided over by Moggaliputta Tissa. The Fourth Buddhist Council was held in Kashmir under the guidance of Vasumitra and Asvaghosha during the time of Kanishka. It was the last Buddhist Council.

The religion of Buddha spread as a popular religion. The simple and practical tenets of the faith carried appeal to the mass mind. It was preached in the simple language of the people, the Pali, The equality of men, as upheld by the Buddhists, brought the lowly and the downtrodden to its fold. No ceremonies and costly rituals were necessary.

There was also no need for priests. The tireless efforts of the Buddhist Sanghas, and the missionary zeal of the monks and preachers carried the gospels of Buddha to every corner of the country.

But, it was the conversion of Emperor Asoka after his Kalinga War which gave Buddhism a new dimension. Under the patronage of that monarch, grounds were prepared for the spread of Buddhism far and wide. Inside India and outside India’s frontiers, the spread of the religion became rapid. In course of time Buddhism became the religion of the Asian humanity and Buddha became the Light of Asia.

Related Articles:

  • Gautama Buddha and His Contribution towards Buddhism
  • Gautama Buddha: Teachings, Rise, Spread and Decline of Buddhism
  • Short Biography of Gautama Buddha | Buddhism
  • Teachings of Lord Buddha | Buddhism
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Gautama Buddha: Biography

Last updated on March 25, 2023 by ClearIAS Team

Buddha

Siddhartha Gautama, also known as Gautama Buddha, was a traveling monk and spiritual guide who founded Buddhism during the sixth or fifth century BCE. Read here to know the biography of Gautama Buddha.

Gautama Buddha taught that life is full of suffering and unhappiness. This is caused because we have cravings and desires. He taught that this constant craving could be removed by following moderation in everything.

Siddhartha Gautama was, according to legend, a Hindu prince who renounced his position and wealth to seek enlightenment as a spiritual ascetic, attained his goal and, in preaching his path to others, founded Buddhism in India in the 6th-5th centuries BCE.

Buddha was born during a time of social and religious transformation. The dominant religion in India at the time was Hinduism (Sanatan Dharma, “Eternal Order”) but several thinkers of the period had begun to question its validity and the authority of the Vedas as well as the practices of the priests.

Table of Contents

The early life of Gautama Buddha

According to tradition, Siddhartha was born more than 200 years before the reign of the Maurya king Asoka (lived 304–232 BCE).

Siddhartha was born in Lumbini in modern-day Nepal. His father was Suddhodana, the chief of the Shakya nation, one of several ancient tribes in the growing state of Kosala. His mother was Queen Maya, King Sudhodhana’s wife.

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On the night Gautama was conceived, Mayadevi dreamt that a white elephant entered her side, and following the dream, Siddhartha was born.

During the birth celebrations, the seer Asita announced that this baby would either become a great king (chakravartin) or a great holy man. His father, King Suddhodana, wished for Siddhartha Gautama to be a great king, and shielded his son from religious teachings or knowledge of human suffering.

When the prince reached the age of 16, his father arranged his marriage to Yasodhara, from an elite family of the same age. In time, she gave birth to a son, Rahula.

Siddhartha Gautama spent 29 years as a prince in Kapilavastu, a place now situated in Nepal. Although his father ensured that the prince was provided with everything he could want or need, he felt that material wealth was not the ultimate goal of life.

Journey of Buddha

The journey of Siddhartha the Prince to Gautama buddha is largely divided into three stages- the great departure, the great enlightenment, and the great passing.

The great departure or renunciation

Siddhartha’s father did not want him to experience anything other than luxuries as he grew which might inspire him to adopt a spiritual path. But eventually, the prince ventured out of the palace and experienced, what is called the four signs which changed his path forever.

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During his 29 th year, the prince slipped through his father’s defenses and saw the four signs in the outside world-

  • An aged man
  • A religious ascetic

Through these signs, he realized that he, too, could become sick, would grow old, would die, and would lose everything he loved. He understood that the life he was living guaranteed he would suffer and, further, that all of life was essentially defined by suffering from want or loss.

Siddhartha disturbed by these sightings and realization renounced his luxurious life, wife, son, and family at the age of 29. He left the palace on his favorite horse, Kanthaka for a life dedicated to learning how to overcome suffering.

He meditated with two hermits, and, although he achieved high levels of meditative consciousness, he was still not satisfied with his path.

He began his training in the ascetic life and practiced vigorous techniques of physical and mental austerity. Gautama proved quite adept at these practices and surpassed even his teachers.

However, he found no answer to his questions regarding freedom from suffering. Leaving behind his teachers, he and a small group of close companions set out to take their austerities even further.

Gautama tried to find enlightenment through the complete deprivation of worldly goods, including food, and became a complete ascetic. After nearly starving himself to death, Gautama began to reconsider his path.

The great enlightenment

He finally reached Gaya in modern-day Bihar where he seated himself under a Bodhi tree and meditated.

Finally, in a moment of illumination, he understood that suffering was caused by the human insistence on permanent states of being in a world of impermanence.

  • One suffers because they are unaware that life is changing, and they may stop suffering by understanding that believing anything will last or being attached to it is a grave mistake that will keep them stuck in a never-ending cycle of desire, effort, rebirth, and death.

His illumination was complete, and Siddhartha Gautama was now the Buddha, the enlightened one.

Although he could now live his life in contentment, he chose instead to teach others the path of liberation from ignorance and desire and assist them in ending their suffering.

He preached his first sermon at the Deer Park at Sarnath at which he introduced his audience to his Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. The Four Noble Truths are:

  • Life is suffering
  • The cause of suffering is craving
  • The end of suffering comes with an end to craving
  • There is a path that leads one away from craving and suffering

The fourth truth directs one toward the Eightfold Path, which serves as a guide to living one’s life without the kind of attachment that guarantees to suffer:

  • Right Intention
  • Right Speech
  • Right Action
  • Right Livelihood
  • Right Effort
  • Right Mindfulness
  • Right Concentration

For the remaining 45 years of his life, the Buddha is said to have traveled in the Gangetic Plain of Northeastern India and Southern Nepal, teaching his doctrine and discipline to everyone from nobles to outcast street sweepers, including many adherents of rival philosophies and religions.

The Buddha founded the community of Buddhist monks and nuns (the Sangha) to continue the dispensation after his Parinirvana or “complete Nirvana”, and made thousands of converts. His religion was open to all races and classes and had no caste structure.

The great passing

According to the Mahaparinibbana Sutta of the Pali canon, at the age of 80, the Buddha announced that he would soon enter Parinirvana, or the final deathless state abandoning the earthly body.

He died in Kusinara.

The Buddha’s body was cremated and the relics were placed in monuments or stupas, some of which are believed to have survived until the present.

Symbols of Buddha’s life

The great events of the life of the Buddha, are important milestones in the life of Siddhartha Gautama which are represented by various symbols.

  • The birth of buddha is represented by the lotus flower representing purity, beauty, and spiritual growth.
  • The renunciation is depicted by his horse, Kanthaka.
  • The great enlightenment is depicted by the Bodhi tree.
  • The first sermon is represented by the wheel of dharma.
  • The mahaparinirvana is depicted by the stupa.

 Conclusion

Buddha urged his pupils to examine his teachings and validate them through personal experience throughout his life. Buddhism is still characterized by this lack of dogmatism today.

-Article written by Swathi Satish

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Study Today

Largest Compilation of Structured Essays and Exams

Essay on Gautam Buddha (The Great Saint)

December 22, 2017 by Study Mentor Leave a Comment

Gautam Buddha was great saint of India . Born at Lumbini, he came from a royal family. His father, Sudhoan was the king of Kapilavatsu. As a prince, he was called Siddhartha and was a quiet and soft-spoken child.

He did not enjoy royal comforts of the palace. He was married to the beautiful princess, Yashodhara, and had a son, Rahul, from her.

While he was going somewhere, he saw an old man, a patient, a dead body and, finally, a Sadhu at four different occasions. He could not believe that those were also the stages one had to face.

Seeing so much suffering of the mortal body affected him a lot. He resolved to work for getting relief from the suffering. He left the palace in search of truth.

Siddharth, wandered here and there seeking truth and reached Gaya. He sat under a peepal tree and meditated there for many years.

Finally, he attained enlightenment. He went from place to place preaching people about the truth. Wherever he went, many people started following him. They started calling him, Gautam Buddha. It means “Enlightened” or the “Awakened One”.

He started a new religion, Buddhism. Buddha’s teachings were simple. He preached non-violence and humanity. Buddha preached that we must not be attached to our body or to this world.

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Essay On Gautam Buddha

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Lord Buddha was born at Lumbini in the north hills of India. His father was the ruler of tribe known as Sakyas. He was named ‘Siddhartha’. At the time of his birth, the pandits predicted that either he would be a brave king or a saint. So his father was very careful to look after him. All kinds of luxuries and comforts of life were provided to him.

He was very kind to the animals and birds from his childhood as he had very soft heart. He married a pretty princess named ‘Yashodhara’. They had a lovely son named ‘Rahul’. In spite of all comforts, he was not happy at heart. He visited city many times to see the life of common men. The sight of sick man, an old man and a dead body shocked him. Once he saw a sanyasin who had given everything and was in search of God. The thought about the sufferings of human beings snatched away his peace of mind.

One night he left his palace silently and decided to find the cause of sorrow and unhappiness and also ways of liberation from them. He wandered here and there in search of truth but failed. At last at ‘Gaya’ in Bihar under a Bodhi tree he meditated and found a way for ‘Salvation and peace.

He preached that our desire and wishes are the cause of sufferings and unhappiness. The less desire one has, more happy he is. He laid down eight principles. If we follow these principles, there can be an end to sorrows and unhappiness. He preached the message of love, truth and Ahinsa. Very soon he became popular among the common men because of his simple philosophy and simple language. Thousands became his followers. His wife and son also became his followers. His teachings brought much change in Indian history. The great king Ashoka adopted Buddhism and spread it in India and in Sri Lanka, China, Japan and many other countries. Mahatma Gandhi got inspiration from Lord Buddha and adopted peaceful methods for freedom of India. Gautam Buddha was a great son of India who showed the path of peace to suffering world.

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Siddhartha Gautama, the Lord Buddha, was born in 623 B.C. in the famous gardens of Lumbini, which soon became a place of pilgrimage. Among the pilgrims was the Indian emperor Ashoka, who erected one of his commemorative pillars there. The site is now being developed as a Buddhist pilgrimage centre, where the archaeological remains associated with the birth of the Lord Buddha form a central feature.

Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0

Lumbini, lieu de naissance du Bouddha

Siddharta Gautama, le Bouddha, est né en 623 av. J.-C. dans les célèbres jardins de Lumbini et son lieu de naissance est devenu un lieu de pèlerinage. Parmi les pèlerins se trouvait l'empereur indien Asoka qui a fait édifier à cet endroit l'un de ses piliers commémoratifs. Le site est maintenant un foyer de pèlerinage centré sur les vestiges associés au début du bouddhisme et à la naissance du Bouddha.

لومبيني، مكان ولادة بوذا

ولد سيدهرتا غوتاما أي بوذا في العام 623 ق.م. في حدائق لومبيني الشهيرة التي أصبحت مكانًا للحج. وكان من بين الحجاج الامبراطور الهندي اسوكا الذي شيد في هذا المكان إحدى دعائمه التذكارية. ويُعتبر هذا الموقع اليوم مركزًا للحج يتضمَّن بشكلٍ أساسي الآثار المرتبطة ببداية البوذية و بولادة بوذا.

source: UNESCO/CPE Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0

释迦牟尼佛祖于公元前623年诞生于兰毗尼一座著名的花园,后来该处就成为朝圣之地。印度的阿育王也是朝拜者之一,并在此建立了一个他的纪念碑。这里现在已逐渐成为佛教徒的朝圣中心,以考古遗迹和佛祖诞生地为主要特色。

Lumbini, lugar de nacimiento de Buda

Sidharta Gautama, Buda, nació el año 623 a.C. en los famosos jardines de Lumbini, que pronto se convertirían en un lugar de peregrinación. Un ilustre peregrino, el emperador indio Asoka, ordenó erigir en ellos uno de sus pilares conmemorativos. Hoy en día, este sitio sigue siendo un centro de peregrinación, en el que los vestigios arqueológicos vinculados al nacimiento de Buda y los comienzos del budismo constituyen uno de sus principales centros de interés.

source: NFUAJ

Lumbini, geboorteplaats van de Boeddha

Siddhartha Gautama, de Boeddha, werd geboren in 623 voor Christus in de beroemde tuinen van Lumbini, gelegen in de zuidwestelijke Terai van Nepal. Lumbini werd al snel een bedevaartsoord. In 249 voor Christus maakte de vrome boeddhistische keizer Ashoka een pelgrimstocht naar deze stad en richtte er een van zijn herdenkingszuilen op. De plaats ontwikkelt zich nu tot een boeddhistisch bedevaartcentrum, waar de archeologische overblijfselen verbonden met de geboorte van de Boeddha een prominente plaats innemen. Lumbini behoort tot de meest heilige en kenmerkende plaatsen voor een van ’s werelds grootste religies.

Source: unesco.nl

essay on gautam buddha 500 words in english

Outstanding Universal Value

The Lord Buddha was born in 623 BC in the sacred area of Lumbini located in the Terai plains of southern Nepal, testified by the inscription on the pillar erected by the Mauryan Emperor Asoka in 249 BC. Lumbini is one of the holiest places of one of the world's great religions, and its remains contain important evidence about the nature of Buddhist pilgrimage centres from as early as the 3rd century BC.

The complex of structures within the archaeological conservation area includes the Shakya Tank; the remains within the Maya Devi Temple consisting of brick structures in a cross-wall system dating from the 3rd century BC to the present century and the sandstone Ashoka pillar with its Pali inscription in Brahmi script. Additionally there are the excavated remains of Buddhist viharas (monasteries) of the 3rd century BC to the 5th century AD and the remains of Buddhist stupas (memorial shrines) from the 3rd century BC to the 15th century AD. The site is now being developed as a Buddhist pilgrimage centre, where the archaeological remains associated with the birth of the Lord Buddha form a central feature.

Criterion (iii): As the birthplace of the Lord Buddha, testified by the inscription on the Asoka pillar, the sacred area in Lumbini is one of the most holy and significant places for one of the world’s great religions.

Criterion (vi): The archaeological remains of the Buddhist viharas (monasteries) and stupas (memorial shrines) from the 3rd century BC to the 15th century AD, provide important evidence about the nature of Buddhist pilgrimage centres from a very early period.

The integrity of Lumbini has been achieved by means of preserving the archaeological remains within the property boundary that give the property its Outstanding Universal Value. The significant attributes and elements of the property have been preserved. The buffer zone gives the property a further layer of protection. Further excavations of potential archaeological sites and appropriate protection of the archaeological remains are a high priority for the integrity of the property. The property boundary however does not include the entire archaeological site and various parts are found in the buffer zone. The entire property including the buffer zone is owned by the Government of Nepal and is being managed by the Lumbini Development Trust and therefore there is little threat of development or neglect. However the effects of industrial development in the region have been identified as a threat to the integrity of the property.

The authenticity of the archaeological remains within the boundaries has been confirmed through a series of excavations since the discovery of the Asoka pillar in 1896. The remains of viharas, stupas and numerous layers of brick structures from the 3rd century BC to the present century at the site of the Maya Devi Temple are proof of Lumbini having been a centre of pilgrimage from early times. The archaeological remains require active conservation and monitoring to ensure that the impact of natural degradation, influence of humidity and the impact of the visitors are kept under control. The property continues to express its Outstanding Universal Value through its archaeological remains. The delicate balance must be maintained between conserving the archaeological vestiges of the property while providing for the pilgrims.

The property site is protected by the Ancient Monument Preservation Act 1956. The site management is carried out by the Lumbini Development Trust, an autonomous and non-profit making organization. The entire property is owned by the Government of Nepal. The property falls within the centre of the Master Plan area, the planning of which was initiated together with the United Nations and carried out by Prof. Kenzo Tange between 1972 and 1978.

The long-term challenges for the protection and management of the property are to control the impact of visitors, and natural impacts including humidity and the industrial development in the region. A Management Plan is in the process of being developed to ensure the long-term safeguarding of the archaeological vestiges of the property while allowing for the property to continue being visited by pilgrims and tourists from around the world.

  • World Heritage Journeys web site
  • Nepal Tourism Board

essay on gautam buddha 500 words in english

State of Conservation (SOC)

Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History Essays

Life of the buddha.

The Dream of Queen Maya (the Buddha's Conception)

The Dream of Queen Maya (the Buddha's Conception)

Birth of the Buddha Shakyamuni

Birth of the Buddha Shakyamuni

Vajrapani Attends the Buddha at His First Sermon

Vajrapani Attends the Buddha at His First Sermon

The Death of the Buddha (Parinirvana)

The Death of the Buddha (Parinirvana)

Buddha

Drum panel depicting a stupa with the Buddha’s descent from Trayastrimsa Heaven

Fasting Buddha Shakyamuni

Fasting Buddha Shakyamuni

Niche with the Seated Bodhisattva Shakyamuni Flanked by Devotees and an Elephant

Niche with the Seated Bodhisattva Shakyamuni Flanked by Devotees and an Elephant

Reliquary in the Shape of a Stupa

Reliquary in the Shape of a Stupa

Head of Buddha

Head of Buddha

Seated Buddha Vairocana

Seated Buddha Vairocana

Seated Buddha

Seated Buddha

Reliquary(?) with Scenes from the Life of Buddha

Reliquary(?) with Scenes from the Life of Buddha

Book Cover from a Manuscript of the Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita Sutra

Book Cover from a Manuscript of the Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita Sutra

Plaque with Scenes from the Life of the Buddha

Plaque with Scenes from the Life of the Buddha

Buddha Sheltered by a Naga

Buddha Sheltered by a Naga

essay on gautam buddha 500 words in english

“Devadatta,” Chapter 12 of the Lotus Sutra (Hoke-kyō, Daibadatta-bon)

Death of the Historical Buddha (Nehan-zu)

Death of the Historical Buddha (Nehan-zu)

Illustrated manuscript of the Lotus Sutra (Miaofa lianhua jing), Volume 2

Illustrated manuscript of the Lotus Sutra (Miaofa lianhua jing), Volume 2

Unidentified artist (mid-14th century)

Scene from the Life of the Buddha

Scene from the Life of the Buddha

Kathryn Selig Brown Independent Scholar

October 2003

According to tradition, the historical Buddha lived from 563 to 483 B.C. , although scholars postulate that he may have lived as much as a century later. He was born to the rulers of the Shakya clan, hence his appellation Shakyamuni, which means “sage of the Shakya clan.” The legends that grew up around him hold that both his conception and birth were miraculous. His mother, Maya, conceived him when she dreamed that a white elephant entered her right side ( 1976.402 ). She gave birth to him in a standing position while grasping a tree in a garden ( 1987.417.1 ). The child emerged from Maya’s right side fully formed and proceeded to take seven steps. Once back in the palace, he was presented to an astrologer who predicted that he would become either a great king or a great religious teacher, and he was given the name Siddhartha (“He who achieves His Goal”). His father, evidently thinking that any contact with unpleasantness might prompt Siddhartha to seek a life of renunciation as a religious teacher, and not wanting to lose his son to such a future, protected him from the realities of life.

The ravages of poverty, disease, and even old age were therefore unknown to Siddhartha, who grew up surrounded by every comfort in a sumptuous palace. At age twenty-nine, he made three successive chariot rides outside the palace grounds and saw an old person, a sick person, and a corpse, all for the first time. On the fourth trip, he saw a wandering holy man whose asceticism inspired Siddhartha to follow a similar path in search of freedom from the suffering caused by the infinite cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Because he knew his father would try to stop him, Siddhartha secretly left the palace in the middle of the night ( 28.105 ) and sent all his belongings and jewelry back with his servant and horse. Completely abandoning his luxurious existence, he spent six years as an ascetic ( 1987.218.5 ), attempting to conquer the innate appetites for food, sex, and comfort by engaging in various yogic disciplines. Eventually near death from his vigilant fasting, he accepted a bowl of rice from a young girl. Once he had eaten, he had a realization that physical austerities were not the means to achieve spiritual liberation. At a place now known as Bodh Gaya (“enlightenment place”), he sat and meditated all night beneath a pipal tree. After defeating the forces of the demon Mara, Siddhartha reached enlightenment ( 1982.233 ) and became a Buddha (“enlightened one”) at the age of thirty-five.

The Buddha continued to sit after his enlightenment, meditating beneath the tree and then standing beside it for a number of weeks. During the fifth or sixth week, he was beset by heavy rains while meditating but was protected by the hood of the serpent king Muchilinda ( 1987.424.19ab ). Seven weeks after his enlightenment, he left his seat under the tree and decided to teach others what he had learned, encouraging people to follow a path he called “The Middle Way,” which is one of balance rather than extremism. He gave his first sermon ( 1980.527.4 ) in a deer park in Sarnath, on the outskirts of the city of Benares. He soon had many disciples and spent the next forty-five years walking around northeastern India spreading his teachings. Although the Buddha presented himself only as a teacher and not as a god or object of worship, he is said to have performed many miracles during his lifetime ( 1979.511 ). Traditional accounts relate that he died at the age of eighty ( 2015.500.4.1 ) in Kushinagara, after ingesting a tainted piece of either mushroom or pork. His body was cremated and the remains distributed among groups of his followers. These holy relics were enshrined in large hemispherical burial mounds ( 1985.387 ), a number of which became important pilgrimage sites.

In India, by the Pala period (ca. 700–1200), the Buddha’s life was codified into a series of “Eight Great Events” ( 1982.233 ). These eight events are, in order of their occurrence in the Buddha’s life: his birth ( 1976.402 ), his defeat over Mara and consequent enlightenment ( 1982.233 ; 1985.392.1 ), his first sermon at Sarnath ( 1980.527.4 ), the miracles he performed at Shravasti ( 1979.511 ), his descent from the Heaven of the Thirty-three Gods ( 28.31 ), his taming of a wild elephant ( 1979.511 ), the monkey’s gift of honey, and his death ( 2015.500.4.1 ).

Brown, Kathryn Selig. “Life of the Buddha.” In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History . New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/buda/hd_buda.htm (October 2003)

Further Reading

Pal, Pratapaditya, et al. Light of Asia: Buddha Sakyamuni in Asian Art . Exhibition catalogue. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1984.

Snellgrove, David L., ed. The Image of the Buddha . Tokyo: Kodansha, 1978.

Additional Essays by Kathryn Selig Brown

  • Brown, Kathryn Selig. “ Nepalese Painting .” (October 2003)
  • Brown, Kathryn Selig. “ Nepalese Sculpture .” (October 2003)
  • Brown, Kathryn Selig. “ Tibetan Buddhist Art .” (October 2003)

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Friday, June 10, 2022

Essay on gautam buddha in english for school students, essay on gautam buddha (500 words).

essay on gautam buddha 500 words in english

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This is broadly known as Spokane Teachers Credit Union Bank was founded in 1934 in Spokane, Washington, and the bank is currently providing its services to the citizens of Washington state along with residents of Kootenai and Bonner in Idaho. STCU Online STCU has a total asset value of 1.5 billion dollars with a total of 91,000 members, which makes its third-largest credit union bank from Washington. Spokane Teachers Credit Union Bank does offer online banking services which enable a customer to utilize their mobile banking as well in different mobile operating systems.

Buddhism is a realy complex and interesting topic.

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Essay on “Lord Buddha” Complete Essay for Class 10, Class 12 and Graduation and other classes.

Lord Buddha

3 Essay on “Lord Buddha”

The childhood name of Gautama Buddha was Siddhartha. He was born in 563 B.C. His father’s name was Shuddhodhana was the kind of Kapilvastu. His mother’s name was Maya Devi. She died when Gautama was only seven days old. It was his stepmother, Gautami Devi, who brought him up.

          He grew up to be a very sensitive young man who was much concerned with the welfare of others. His father tried his best to keep him involved in the luxurious life of the palace. He did not want that young Siddhartha should go outside and see the misery of the world. But history tells us that the young man went out with this charioteer, Channa on three occasions, at least.

          Siddhartha was greatly touched as he saw an old man, a sick man, and a dead body. He wanted to do something to deliver humanity from all such misery. He reflected on this problem for a long. At last on hearing some words from the mouth of a hermit which encouraged him to renounce the world, he decided to leave the palace and go into the forest for meditation. Before going, he had a lasting glance on his beloved wife Yashodhara and son, Rahul, who were enjoying a sound sleep at midnight.

          He started austere meditation to know the secret of life and death and observed long fasts. At last, he got enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at Gaya. Now he became the Buddha the enlightened one.

          He delivered his first sermon at Sarnath. At first, five persons became his disciples. Soon his message began to spread far and wide and the number of his disciples grew quickly. Buddhist maths were later established all over the country.

          He was an agnostic. He challenged the truth of the Vedas. He laid stress on truth and reason. He preached that the sole cause of misery was our desires which should be controlled to bet peace and happiness. He laid emphasis on them the middle path and exhorted his disciples to follow the eightfold path to get rid of misery. IN essence, his message means service to mankind and all living beings without any selfish motives.

Essay No. 2

Many kings have lived and ceased to be; nobody remembers them, but Gautam  Buddha’s name will till the world lasts. He was born in the sixth century B.C. His name in childhood was Siddhartha Gautam. His father was the ruler of a small kingdom. His name was Shudhodana. When Gautam was born the world was filled with light. It was said, “This baby would be a great king or a great teacher or saint.”

Time passed. The little prince grew from a baby to a handsome boy. He lived in a beautiful place. His teachers were surprised because he knew so much without being taught. But his father was troubled because Gautam did not like shooting and hunting like other princes. He was very brave. He was an expert in handling weapons. He did not like hunting as a sport. He was very kind. Once he saved the life of a swan that was shot by his cousin named Devbrat. He became angry with Gautam but Gautam did not take it seriously. He spent his time wandering alone. Sometimes, he sat in deep thought under a tree. He thought over the questions of life and death. To divert his attention, his father married him to Yashodhara. It was all in vain. He was blessed with a son. But this did not make him happy. He decided to leave the world. He said, “ I must do something to bring peace to my friend,”

One dark night. Gautam stole away into the woods. He left his wife and son sleeping. While the sun was rising, he walked towards the mountains. On the way, he met a beggar. He exchanged his clothes with him. Thus he became free from all the ties of the world. From that day, Gautam became a beggar. He has asked many questions with no answer. He was very sad to see the old age, ill body, and poverty. So he had no attraction for this world. He left everything and spent his life like a fakir or beggar.

Gautam tried to find truth and knowledge. He went with five pupils to the forest. But he could not find peace. He gave suffering to his body but it was not a fruitful process. He became weak and could not find peace. He left the process and started to take meals. Thus he recovered after three months.

Gautam did not stop his search for truth and knowledge. One day he sat down to rest under a fig or Bo- tree. He ate his food and began to think. It was then that he got enlightenment. He understood the mysteries of life and death. He got up to teach his knowledge to the world.

Buddha taught something which even a child can learn and understand. He taught not to take the life of any living thing. He told that desires were the cause of all troubles. So they should be overcome. He taught that people should think of good thoughts. Do good deeds and lead good lives. 

Essay No. 3

Gautam Buddha (563 B.C. — 438 B.C.) is among the greatest religious teachers of the world. He founded ‘Buddhism’, one of the world’s leading religions. Gautam Buddha was born in 553 B.C. in the Lumbini forest in Nepalese Terai. His father’s name was Suddhodana, who was the ruler of Kapilvastu. His mother’s name was Mahamaya.

Buddha’s childhood name was Siddhartha. Gautham Buddha was a beautiful-princess Yashodhara and Lived in luxury. A son. Rahul was born to him. A turning point came in Siddhartha’s life. When he was passing by a road side, he saw an old man, a sick person, and a dead body. At the age of 29, he left his home in search of peace and truth. Siddhartha got enlightenment at the age of 35 at Bodh Gaya, under a pipal tree which later came to be known as the Bodhi Tree. Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath. He preached Four Noble Truth including the Eightfold Path. He also attacked some religious and social practices of his time. Buddha attained Nirvana in 483 B.C.

Many kings have lived and ceased to be; nobody remembers them, but Gautam Buddha’s name will live till the world lasts. He was born, in the sixth century B.C. His childhood name was Siddhartha Gautam. His father was the ruler of a small kingdom. His name was Shuddhoana. When Gautharn was born the world was filled with light. It was said, “This baby would be a great king or a great teacher or saint.”

Time passed. The little prince grew from a baby to a handsome boy. He lived in a beautiful palace. His teachers were surprised because he knew so much without being taught. But his father was troubled because Gautam did not like other princes. He was very brave.

Once he saved the life of a swan that was shot by his cousin named Devvrat. He became angry with Gautam. But Gautam did not take it seriously. He spent his time wandering alone. Sometimes, he sat in deep thought under a tree. He thought over the questions of life and death. To divert his attention, his father married him to a beautiful girl Yashodhara. It was all in vain. He was blessed with a son. But this did not make him happy. He decided to leave the world. He said, “I. must do something to bring peace in the world and enlighten mankind.”

One, dark night, Gautam stole away into the woods. He left his wife and son sleeping. While the sun was rising, he walked towards the mountains. On the way, they met a beggar. He exchanged his clothes with him. Thus he became free from all the ties of the world. From that day, Gautam became a beggar. He has asked many questions with no answer. He was very sad to see the old age, ill body, and poverty. So he had no attraction for this world. He left everything and spent his life like a beggar.

Gautam tried to find truth and knowledge. He went with five pupils in the forests. But he could not find peace. He gave suffering to his body but it was not a fruitful process. He became weak and could not find peace. He left the process and started to take meals. Thus he, recovered after three months.

Gautam Buddha taught something which even a child can learn and understand. He taught not to take the life of any living thing. He told that desires were the cause of all our troubles. So these should be overcome. He taught that people should think good thoughts, do good deeds, and lead noble lives.

Buddha was a man of great wisdom. He spent his life spreading his teachings. Buddha also attacked some religious and social practices of his times.’ He refused to recognize the religious significance of the caste system.

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Life of Gautam Buddha, Teachings and Relation with Hinduism_1.1

Life of Gautam Buddha, Teachings and Relation with Hinduism

Life of Gautam Buddha epitomizes enlightenment, compassion, and the pursuit of inner peace. Check out the Life, Teachings and Relation with Hinduism in This Article

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Gautam Buddha, or Siddhartha Gautam, stands as a transformative figure in Asian spirituality, founding Buddhism with a profound impact on the region’s philosophical fabric. Life of Gautam Buddha epitomizes enlightenment, compassion, and the pursuit of inner peace. Renouncing princely comforts, he embarked on a quest, ultimately attaining enlightenment under a Bodhi tree. Buddha’s teachings, encapsulated in the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, continue to resonate globally, shaping a legacy that transcends borders and time.

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Life of Gautam Buddha

Siddhartha Gautam was born around 563 BCE (the exact date is uncertain) in Lumbini, present-day Nepal. His father, King Suddhodana, ruled the Shakya clan, and his mother, Queen Maya, died shortly after his birth. Legend has it that astrologers predicted two possible paths for the young prince: he would either become a great king or a great spiritual leader.

In an attempt to shield him from the sufferings of the world, Siddhartha’s father raised him in luxury and kept him within the palace walls. Despite the efforts to create a perfect life, Siddhartha felt a deep sense of dissatisfaction and curiosity about the world beyond the palace.

The Four Sights

When Siddhartha was around 29 years old, he ventured outside the palace, and it was during these excursions that he encountered the “Four Sights” — an old man, a sick man, a corpse, and a wandering ascetic. These encounters exposed him to the realities of human suffering, illness, and death, prompting him to question the nature of existence and the meaning of life.

The Great Renunciation

Driven by a profound desire to understand the nature of suffering and find a solution, Siddhartha made a life-changing decision. He renounced his princely life, left his family, and set out on a spiritual quest as an ascetic. For several years, he practiced severe austerity and meditation under various teachers but found no ultimate solution to end suffering.

The Enlightenment

Realizing that extreme asceticism was not the path to enlightenment, Siddhartha decided to pursue a middle way. He sat under a Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya and vowed not to rise until he attained enlightenment. After intense meditation, on the night of the full moon in May, Siddhartha achieved enlightenment and became the Buddha, which means “the awakened one” or “the enlightened one.”

During his enlightenment, Buddha gained profound insights into the nature of suffering, the cycle of birth and death (samsara), and the path to liberation (nirvana). His teachings, known as the Dharma, centered on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path as a guide to end suffering and attain enlightenment.

Buddha’s Teaching: The Dharma of Liberation

Gautam Buddha’s teachings, known as the Dharma, form the core of Buddhism, providing a comprehensive guide for individuals seeking liberation from suffering. Central to his teachings are the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, offering a profound understanding of the nature of existence and a practical roadmap to attain enlightenment.

  The Four Noble Truths

  • Dukkha (Suffering): Buddha’s first truth acknowledges the inherent suffering in human existence – physical and mental anguish, dissatisfaction, and the impermanence of joy. Recognizing suffering is the first step toward transcending it.
  • Samudaya (Cause of Suffering): The second truth identifies craving and attachment (tanha) as the root causes of suffering. Attachment to desires, possessions, and the illusion of a permanent self leads to dissatisfaction and suffering.
  • Nirodha (Cessation of Suffering): The third truth offers hope by asserting that the cessation of suffering is possible. By eliminating craving and attachment, individuals can attain a state of liberation and inner peace (nirvana).
  • Magga (Path to the Cessation of Suffering): The fourth truth outlines the Eightfold Path, a practical guide to ethical and mental development leading to the cessation of suffering.

The Eightfold Path

  • Right Understanding (Samma Ditthi): Grasping the Four Noble Truths and understanding the nature of reality.
  • Right Intention (Samma Sankappa): Cultivating wholesome thoughts and intentions that align with the path to liberation.
  • Right Speech (Samma Vaca): Engaging in truthful, compassionate, and harmonious communication.
  • Right Action (Samma Kammanta): Adhering to ethical conduct and engaging in actions that promote well-being and avoid harm.
  • Right Livelihood (Samma Ajiva): Choosing a livelihood that aligns with ethical principles and does not cause harm to others.
  • Right Effort (Samma Vayama): Exerting diligent effort to cultivate positive qualities, overcome negative tendencies, and maintain a balanced mind.
  • Right Mindfulness (Samma Sati): Developing awareness of one’s thoughts, feelings, and actions in the present moment, fostering clarity and understanding.
  • Right Concentration (Samma Samadhi): Cultivating focused and tranquil states of mind through meditation, leading to heightened awareness and insight.

Three Marks of Existence

Buddha also expounded on the Three Marks of Existence, emphasizing the impermanence (Anicca), unsatisfactoriness (Dukkha), and the absence of a permanent self (Anatta) in all phenomena. Understanding these marks deepens one’s insight into the nature of reality and supports the journey towards liberation.

Buddha’s teachings are not confined to theoretical knowledge but are a practical and transformative guide for individuals seeking a path to enlightenment. The Dharma continues to inspire millions worldwide, fostering mindfulness, compassion, and a profound understanding of the interconnectedness of all existence.

Gautam Buddha in Hinduism

In Hinduism, Gautam Buddha is often regarded with reverence and respect, but the interpretations of his role vary within the diverse Hindu traditions. While Hinduism and Buddhism share historical, cultural, and philosophical roots, they are distinct religions with unique doctrines and practices.

  • Avatar of Vishnu: In certain Hindu traditions, Gautam Buddha is considered an avatar of Lord Vishnu, believed to incarnate to restore cosmic order (dharma) during times of disruption.
  • Syncretism of Ideas: Buddhist concepts, including meditation, non-violence (ahimsa), and the pursuit of self-realization, have influenced certain Hindu texts, showcasing a cultural and philosophical overlap between the two traditions.
  • Respect as a Wise Teacher: While not worshipped as a deity, Gautam Buddha is often acknowledged within Hinduism as a wise teacher and enlightened being. His ethical and spiritual teachings are respected for their insights.
  • Integration of Pilgrimage Sites: Pilgrimage sites associated with Gautam Buddha, such as Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, and Kushinagar, are revered by both Hindus and Buddhists, emphasizing a shared cultural and historical heritage.
  • Diversity of Beliefs: Hinduism’s diverse nature means that interpretations of Buddha’s role vary among Hindus. While some integrate Buddha into their pantheon, others may not actively incorporate Buddhist elements into their practices.

Gautam Buddha’s Death and Legacy

Gautam Buddha passed away at the age of 80 in Kushinagar, India, achieving parinirvana, which is the final liberation from the cycle of birth and death. His teachings continued to spread and evolve, giving rise to different schools of Buddhism.

The impact of Gautam Buddha’s life and teachings extends far beyond his historical context. Buddhism has become a global spiritual tradition, influencing art, philosophy, and practices that promote mindfulness and compassion. The story of Siddhartha Gautam’s journey from a privileged prince to the enlightened Buddha serves as an enduring symbol of the human quest for meaning and inner peace.

Gautam Buddha UPSC

Gautam Buddha, born around 563 BCE, founded Buddhism, emphasizing enlightenment, compassion, and inner peace. Renouncing luxury, he attained enlightenment under a Bodhi tree, revealing the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. His teachings, part of the Dharma, guide liberation from suffering. While not a deity in Hinduism, some see him as a Vishnu avatar. Pilgrimage sites are revered in both religions, reflecting a shared heritage. Buddha’s legacy persists globally, impacting art, philosophy, and the pursuit of mindfulness.

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Was buddha born in india or nepal.

The Lord Buddha was born in 623 BC in the sacred area of Lumbini located in the Terai plains of southern Nepal,

Was Buddha a Hindu prince?

Buddha was born around 560 B.C. as a Hindu prince named Siddhartha Gautam.

Is Gautam Buddha related to Hinduism?

Yes, Gautam Buddha is related to Hinduism, as he was born and raised in a cultural and religious milieu.

Is Buddha mentioned in Vedas?

No, Buddha is not explicitly mentioned in the Vedas, the ancient sacred texts of Hinduism. His life predates Vedic literature.

Is Buddhism part of Sanatan Dharma?

Buddhism is not considered part of Sanatan Dharma (Eternal Order), but it shares cultural and historical roots with Hinduism.

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By: History.com Editors

Updated: April 5, 2024 | Original: October 12, 2017

HISTORY: Buddhism

Buddhism is a faith that was founded by Siddhartha Gautama—also known as “the Buddha”—more than 2,500 years ago in India. With an estimated 500 million to one billion followers, scholars consider Buddhism one of the major world religions. As a non-theistic faith with no god or deity to worship, some scholars describe Buddhism as a philosophy or a moral code rather than an organized religion.

Many of the beliefs and practices of Buddhism revolve around the concept of suffering and its causes. Buddhism has historically been most prominent in East and Southeast Asia, but its influence is growing throughout the West. Many Buddhist ideas and philosophies overlap with those of other faiths.

Buddhism Beliefs and Practices

Some key Buddhism beliefs include:

  • Followers of Buddhism don’t acknowledge a supreme god or deity. They instead focus on achieving enlightenment—a state of inner peace and wisdom. When followers reach this spiritual echelon, they’re said to have experienced nirvana.
  • The religion’s founder, Buddha, is considered an extraordinary being, but not a god. The word Buddha means “enlightened.”
  • The path to enlightenment is attained by utilizing morality, meditation and wisdom. Buddhists often meditate because they believe it helps awaken truth.
  • There are many philosophies and interpretations within Buddhism, making it a tolerant and evolving religion.
  • Some scholars don’t recognize Buddhism as an organized religion, but rather, a “way of life” or a “spiritual tradition.”
  • Buddhism encourages its people to avoid self-indulgence but also self-denial.
  • Buddha’s most important teachings, known as The Four Noble Truths, are essential to understanding the religion.
  • Buddhists embrace the concepts of karma (the law of cause and effect) and reincarnation (the continuous cycle of rebirth).
  • Followers of Buddhism can worship in temples or in their own homes.
  • Buddhist monks, or bhikkhus, follow a strict code of conduct, which includes celibacy.
  • There is no single Buddhist symbol, but a number of images have evolved that represent Buddhist beliefs, including the lotus flower, the eight-spoked dharma wheel, the Bodhi tree and the  swastika  (an ancient symbol whose name means "well-being" or "good fortune" in Sanskrit). 

Swastika in Buddhism

Who Was the Buddha?

Siddhartha Gautama , the founder of Buddhism who later became known as “the Buddha,” lived during the 5th century B.C. 

Gautama was born into a wealthy family as a prince in present-day Nepal. Although he had an easy life, Gautama was moved by suffering in the world. 

He decided to give up his lavish lifestyle and endure poverty. For nearly six years, he undertook fasting and other austerities, but these techniques proved ineffectual and he abandoned them. He eventually promoted the idea of the “Middle Way,” which means existing between two extremes. Thus, he sought a life without social indulgences but also without deprivation.

After regaining his strength, he seated himself under a Bodhi tree in west-central India and promised not to rise until he had attained the supreme enlightenment. After fighting off Mara, an evil spirit who tempted him with worldly comforts and desires, Siddhartha reached enlightenment, becoming a Buddha at the age of 35. He spent the rest of his life teaching others about how to achieve this spiritual state.

When Gautama passed away around 483 B.C., his followers began to organize a religious movement. Buddha’s teachings became the foundation for what would develop into Buddhism.

In the 3rd century B.C., Ashoka the Great, the Mauryan Indian emperor, made Buddhism the state religion of India. Buddhist monasteries were built, and missionary work was encouraged.

Over the next few centuries, Buddhism began to spread beyond India. The thoughts and philosophies of Buddhists became diverse, with some followers interpreting ideas differently than others.

In the sixth century, the Huns invaded India and destroyed hundreds of Buddhist monasteries, but the intruders were eventually driven out of the country.

Islam began to spread quickly in the region during the Middle Ages , forcing Buddhism into the background. Nonetheless, Buddhism eventually spread to Central and Southeast Asia, China, Korea, Japan and, in the 20th century, to the West.

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Types of Buddhism

Today, many forms of Buddhism exist around the world. The three main types that represent specific geographical areas include:

  • Theravada Buddhism : Prevalent in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos and Burma
  • Mahayana Buddhism : Prevalent in China, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore and Vietnam
  • Tibetan Buddhism : Prevalent in Tibet, Nepal, Mongolia, Bhutan, and parts of Russia and northern India
  • Zen Buddhism is a form of Mahayana Buddhism that’s practiced in many of the same areas. It emphasizes simplicity and meditation—the word “zen” means meditation—in lieu of religious scripture, ceremonies or doctrines.
  • Nirvana Buddhism is closely related to Theravada Buddhism, but the concept of nirvana is also central to many paths of Buddhism. The term nirvana means “blowing out,” as a candle is blown out, thus ending all attachment and desire to achieve a state of pure enlightenment.

Each of these types reveres certain texts and has slightly different interpretations of Buddha’s teachings.

Some forms of Buddhism incorporate ideas of other religions and philosophies, such as Taoism and Bon.

Buddha’s teachings are known as “dharma.” He taught that wisdom, kindness, patience, generosity and compassion were important virtues.

Specifically, all Buddhists live by five moral precepts, which prohibit:

  • Killing living things
  • Taking what is not given
  • Sexual misconduct
  • Using drugs or alcohol

Four Noble Truths

The Four Noble Truths, which Buddha taught, are:

  • The truth of suffering (dukkha)
  • The truth of the cause of suffering (samudaya)
  • The truth of the end of suffering (nirhodha)
  • The truth of the path that frees us from suffering (magga)

Collectively, these principles explain why humans hurt and how to overcome suffering.

Eightfold Path

The Buddha taught his followers that the end of suffering, as described in the fourth Noble Truths, could be achieved by following an Eightfold Path. 

In no particular order, the Eightfold Path of Buddhism teaches the following ideals for ethical conduct, mental disciple and achieving wisdom:

  • Right understanding (Samma ditthi)
  • Right thought (Samma sankappa)
  • Right speech (Samma vaca)
  • Right action (Samma kammanta)
  • Right livelihood (Samma ajiva)
  • Right effort (Samma vayama)
  • Right mindfulness (Samma sati)
  • Right concentration (Samma samadhi)

Buddhist Holy Book

Buddhists revere many sacred texts and scriptures. Some of the most important are:

  • Tipitaka: These texts, known as the “three baskets,” are thought to be the earliest collection of Buddhist writings.
  • Sutras: There are more than 2,000 sutras, which are sacred teachings embraced mainly by Mahayana Buddhists.
  • The Book of the Dead : This Tibetan text describes the stages of death in detail.

The Dalai Lama and the history of Buddhism

The Dalai Lama is the leading monk in Tibetan Buddhism. Followers of the religion believe the Dalai Lama is a reincarnation of a past lama that has agreed to be born again to help humanity. There have been 14 Dalai Lamas throughout history.

The Dalai Lama also governed Tibet until the Chinese took control in 1959. The current Dalai Lama, Lhamo Thondup, was born in 1935.

Buddhist Holidays

Every year, Buddhists celebrate Vesak, a festival that commemorates Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death.

During each quarter of the moon, followers of Buddhism participate in a ceremony called Uposatha. This observance allows Buddhists to renew their commitment to their teachings.

They also celebrate the Buddhist New Year and participate in several other yearly festivals.

Buddhism: An Introduction, PBS . Buddhism, Ancient History Encyclopedia . The History of Buddha, History Cooperative . Demographics of Buddhism, Georgetown University Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, & World Affairs . Religions: Buddhism, BBC . Buddhist Scriptures, Georgetown University Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, & World Affairs . The Noble Eightfold Path: Tricycle . What Is Zen Buddhism and How Do You Practice It? Lion’s Roar .

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  1. Essay on Gautam Buddha in English || Biography of Mahatma Buddha || @studycentre4u

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    essay on gautam buddha 500 words in english

  3. Gautam Buddha essay in english

    essay on gautam buddha 500 words in english

  4. 10 Lines on Gautama Buddha for Students and Children in English

    essay on gautam buddha 500 words in english

  5. 20 Lines on Gautam Budha in english, About Gautam Buddha, Gautam Buddha essay in english, Ashwin's

    essay on gautam buddha 500 words in english

  6. Essay On Gautam Buddha || 10 Lines On Gautam Buddha in English || Essay

    essay on gautam buddha 500 words in english

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  1. Gautam Buddha Essay for Students in English

    Essay on Gautam Buddha. Gautam Buddha, the messenger of peace, equality, and fraternity, was born in Lumbini in the 6th Century BC, the Terai region of Nepal. His real name was Siddhartha Gautam. He belonged to the royal family of Kapilavastu. His father was Suddhodhana, the ruler.

  2. 500 Words Essay on GAUTAM BUDDHA and Buddhism

    500 Words Essay on GAUTAM BUDDHA and Buddhism. Gautam Buddha was one of the greatest religious teachers of the world. He gave the message of truth, peace, humanity and equality. His teachings and sayings became the basis of Buddhism, one of world's leading religions which are followed in some countries like Japan, China, and Burma etc.

  3. Essay on Gautam Buddha in English For Students and Children

    Gautam Buddha Essay in 500 to 600 words. Gautam Buddha is among the greatest religious teachers of the world. He gave the message of truth, peace, humanity, and equality. He founded Buddhism. It is followed in China, Japan, Burma, and the countries of Southeast Asia. Gautam Buddha was born in 563 BC in the Lumbini forests in Nepalese Terai.

  4. Gautama Buddha

    Gautama Buddha. Siddhartha Gautama (c. 563 BC - c. 483 BC [1]) was the founder of Buddhism. He is best known by the title the Buddha. The title means "Fully Awakened One". He was born as a prince in a region of what is now the country Nepal in a Shakya Kingdom in Lumbini. He is also called Shakyamuni Buddha. This is because he was a member of ...

  5. The Buddha

    Siddhartha Gautama, most commonly referred to as the Buddha ('the awakened'), was a wandering ascetic and religious teacher who lived in South Asia 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.

  6. Essay On Gautam Buddha in English for Class 1, 2 & 3: 10 Lines, Short

    Children can learn from this 150-word essay on Gautama Buddha: Gautam Buddha is one of the most well-known spiritual leaders in history who started the religion of Buddhism. He was born in Lumbini, near the Indo-Nepal border, in the 6th century BC. He belonged to a wealthy family.

  7. Life of Gautama Buddha and his Teachings

    Buddha, the light of Asia, was one of the greatest men of all times. Great was his teaching which the mightiest religion of humanity became. The name, of Gautama Buddha has enriched the history of India more than any other name. The founder of the largest religion on earth, he was the only man in history to be regarded as God by a larger part ...

  8. Gautama Buddha: Biography

    Siddhartha Gautama was, according to legend, a Hindu prince who renounced his position and wealth to seek enlightenment as a spiritual ascetic, attained his goal and, in preaching his path to others, founded Buddhism in India in the 6th-5th centuries BCE. Buddha was born during a time of social and religious transformation.

  9. Essay on Gautam Buddha (The Great Saint)

    Gautam Buddha was great saint of India. Born at Lumbini, he came from a royal family. His father, Sudhoan was the king of Kapilavatsu. As a prince, he was called Siddhartha and was a quiet and soft-spoken child. He did not enjoy royal comforts of the palace. He was married to the beautiful princess, Yashodhara, and had a son, Rahul, from her.

  10. Essay On Gautam Buddha

    Essay On Gautam Buddha. Lord Buddha was born at Lumbini in the north hills of India. His father was the ruler of tribe known as Sakyas. He was named 'Siddhartha'. At the time of his birth, the pandits predicted that either he would be a brave king or a saint. So his father was very careful to look after him.

  11. Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha

    Brief synthesis. The Lord Buddha was born in 623 BC in the sacred area of Lumbini located in the Terai plains of southern Nepal, testified by the inscription on the pillar erected by the Mauryan Emperor Asoka in 249 BC. Lumbini is one of the holiest places of one of the world's great religions, and its remains contain important evidence about ...

  12. Life of the Buddha

    October 2003. According to tradition, the historical Buddha lived from 563 to 483 B.C., although scholars postulate that he may have lived as much as a century later. He was born to the rulers of the Shakya clan, hence his appellation Shakyamuni, which means "sage of the Shakya clan.". The legends that grew up around him hold that both his ...

  13. Buddha

    Buddha (born c. 6th-4th century bce, Lumbini, near Kapilavastu, Shakya republic, Kosala kingdom [now in Nepal]—died, Kusinara, Malla republic, Magadha kingdom [now Kasia, India]) was the founder of Buddhism, one of the major religions and philosophical systems of southern and eastern Asia and of the world. Buddha is one of the many epithets of a teacher who lived in northern India sometime ...

  14. Essay on Gautam Buddha In English For School Students

    Essay on Gautam Buddha (500 Words) Introduction: Gautam Buddha was a great man, who is considered to be an incarnation of God. Gautam Buddha is also known as Lord Buddha or Mahatma Buddha. His real or childhood name was Siddharth Gautam. He showed the whole world the path of peace and non-violence.

  15. Essay On Gautam Buddha (500 Words) » ByTure

    Lord Gautam Buddha was a spiritual preacher from ancient India who founded Buddhism. The time of birth and death of Lord Gautam Buddha is uncertain. However, most of the historians believe his lifetime to be 563 BC to ... Spread the word. Share the link on social media. Share This Article. Facebook;

  16. Essay on "Lord Buddha" Complete Essay for Class 10, Class 12 and

    Essay No. 2. Lord Buddha. Many kings have lived and ceased to be; nobody remembers them, but Gautam Buddha's name will till the world lasts. He was born in the sixth century B.C. His name in childhood was Siddhartha Gautam. His father was the ruler of a small kingdom. His name was Shudhodana. When Gautam was born the world was filled with light.

  17. Life of Gautam Buddha, Teachings and Relation with Hinduism

    Gautam Buddha UPSC. Gautam Buddha, born around 563 BCE, founded Buddhism, emphasizing enlightenment, compassion, and inner peace. Renouncing luxury, he attained enlightenment under a Bodhi tree, revealing the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. His teachings, part of the Dharma, guide liberation from suffering.

  18. Buddhism

    Cancan Chu/Getty Images. Buddhism is a faith that was founded by Siddhartha Gautama—also known as "the Buddha"—more than 2,500 years ago in India. With an estimated 500 million to one ...

  19. Essay on Gautam Buddha In English

    👉 Visit Website : https://www.silentcourse.com/2022/06/essay-on-gautam-buddha.html👉 Playlist : Mahatma Buddha Essay/10 Lines https://www.youtube.com/play...

  20. Essay On Gautam Buddha || 10 Lines On Gautam Buddha in English

    Essay On Gautam Buddha || 10 Lines On Gautam Buddha in English ||Hello students in this video i am sharing 10 lines on Gautam Buddha in English.if you like m...

  21. Gautam Buddha

    Gautam Buddha | Gautam Buddha Essay in English | Mahatma Buddha Essay | Lord Buddha short life story#englishwriting #essaywriting #essayongautambuddha@writew...

  22. Gautam Buddha essay in english

    This video is all about Gautam Buddha essay in english#gautambuddha #essaywriting #studyexpress #गौतमबुद्ध #studyexpress #englishessay #essayinenglish #short...

  23. 6 Best Gautam Buddha Moral Stories in English With Audio

    Wisdom of Buddha - Gautam Buddha Moral Stories in English. Once upon a time, Gautama Buddha was on a journey with his disciples. While walking on the journey, Buddha felt thirsty, so he asked one of his disciples to go and fetch me drinking water. Now, when that disciple looked around, no source of water was found anywhere.