Bhuddh`s Life

By armxsh18
  • 563 BCE

    Conception and Birth

    According to tradition, the Buddha's mother dreamt that an auspicious white elephant had entered her womb. He was born in Lumbini, Nepal and had a painless and pure birth. A wise man predicted that the Buddha would either be a great secular or religious leader. He was named Siddhartha- a man who achieves his goals. Soon after he was born, his mother died and he was brought up by his maternal aunt
  • 548 BCE

    Marriage

    He was married at the age of 15- the normal age of consent- to a younger bride called Yasodhara. She gave birth to a baby boy who they named Rahula.
    Siddhartha was understood to have been a well educated young man who was trained in martial arts. He lived a privileged life in the ancient capital city Kapilavastu.
  • 536 BCE

    Existential Crisis

    Siddhartha's father wanted his son to become the political leader that was predicted at his birth.
    He conspired to protect his son from becoming a religious leader, by giving him a life of pleasure and privilege, and hiding him from the harsh sides of reality. His plan did eventually fail, with Siddhartha becoming fascinated by the sight of religious people seeking answers to life's big questions.
  • 534 BCE

    Leaving Home to Rajagriha

    Siddhartha left home on his own. In a dramatic moment deep in the wilderness he abandoned his horse and cropped his hair. He became a religious wanderer and sought out the company of others who were doing the same. He travelled south into the neighbouring kingdom of Magadha (modern Bihar) where he was spotted by the young king Bimbisara as he begged on the streets of the capital Rajagriha
  • 533 BCE

    Meditation: Magadha

    Siddhartha first trained with a succession of meditation teachers- Alara Kalama and Uddaka Ramaputta. They taught him meditation methods by which his mind could be calmed and enter a more refined state of 'one pointed' serenity, where the awareness of the outside world recedes. Once his meditation finished he returned to as he was before. Siddhartha wanted a permanent solution, and despite being recognised as fully competent by his teachers, he left them behind.