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Top 6 Astonishing Facts about Gautama Buddha

Siddhartha Gautama is also known as Sakyamuni was the founder of the religion Buddhism. Gautama was born during the full moon and for this reason, his birthday is celebrated as Buddha Poornima.

His first name, Siddhartha, means the one who achieves his aim. This name was given to him by his followers after he became Buddha.  

Historians believe that he may have been a myth but there is enough evidence to show that he walked this earth. Gautama or Buddha as he was known by his disciples, had lived two lives.

The life before enlightenment meant Buddha lived a lavish lifestyle and after he became Buddha, his life was simple.

In his country of origin, India, Buddhism has been practised for more than two centuries. It is one of the most prominent religions in the Asian continent and it is practised in several other parts of the world.

1. Gautama was a prince

Gautama was born into a well-to-do family and had an easy life. He grew up as a Prince in what we know as Nepal today.

Just after he was born, it was predicted that he would become a great king or a saint that would change the world.  

After he became aware of his privileged life and how it was a sharp contrast with the rest of the people, he gave up his lavish lifestyle.

He attempted to live the middle way which included living between two extremes. His new lifestyle included no social indulgence but little deprivation.

It took him six years to find complete enlightenment while meditating under a tree. Buddha spent the rest of his life teaching how to achieve that spiritual state.

After leaving his comfortable life, Gautama dropped his birth name.

2. His fate was known before he was born

By Chainwit. – Wikimedia

His birth was predicted by an astrologer. This prediction became true when he left life in the palace for a simple life.

Gautama’s father did not want his son to lack anything and provided him with luxury. He would not let Gautama learn any religious teachings for fear of him becoming a holy man.

That did not work out well because when he saw the suffering outside his father’s walls. He got married to Yasodhara and the two had a son named Rahula.

After leaving the palace and his marriage, he realized that wealth was not his ultimate goal. Gautama chose faith over wealth.

3. Gautama preferred living frugally

He was born a wealthy prince but left it all to pursue the path of truth. This was after the realization of the existence of poverty and sickness outside their palace.

When he turned 29, Gautama went for a ride to the countryside. During the four trips, he saw different things that broke his heart.

There was an old man, a sick man and a corpse. These sights disturbed him and he could not enjoy his life at the palace while thinking of them.

His perception of how life ought to be was completely altered. He realized that nothing was permanent and those good things lasted a short while.  

4. He set out to find the answers by himself

By Gunawan Kartapranata – Wikimedia

Leaving the palace was not hard for Gautama, what he found to be difficult was finding a teacher. He needed to find a teacher who would teach him about the world and the different religions.

To fit in, he changed his wardrobe and wore robes. He also did his best to learn from the wisest teachers he could find.

One answer he never found was how to put an end to suffering. This pushed him to go find the answer by himself.

For six years, he lived a life of self-discipline and abstinence. He ate roots, fruits and raw vegetables.

Gautama mastered the art of yoga but this did not give him the answer he was looking for.

He sat under a pipal tree which is now known as the Bodhi. Buddha sat under the tree to meditate. He vowed not to leave until he found the truth he was looking for. It took him 49 days to find enlightenment.

5. His family joined his community

While he spent most of his time spreading his teachings to the world, he did not forget his family.

Buddha visited his son, father, his devoted wife and his foster mother. The family eventually joined him and practised Buddhism.

His cousin, Ananda, also joined the Sangha community and became a monk. Rahula, his son, also became the youngest monk at the age of 7.  

6. He travelled his entire life

By Hintha – Wikimedia

Buddha spent the rest of his life travelling and teaching. He did this until turned 80.

Before he died, he had one request to his disciples which was that the components of the world are changeable and do not last.

He encouraged them to work for their deliverance. Even after many years of his death, his words of compassion and kindness are still followed by people in different parts of the world.