Life of the Buddha

By MatronLeBlanc
  • 566 BCE

    The Dream

    The Queen was given a vision in her sleep, where a beautiful elephant with six tusks came to her right side and touched her with a lotus blossom.
  • 566 BCE

    Prophecy of the Sage

    The queen described her dream to the Great Sage, Avista. Upon examining the marks on young Siddartha's feet, the Sage predicted that he would become a great political leader or a great religious spiritual leader.
  • Period: 566 BCE to 550 BCE

    Siddartha's Childhood

    Upon hearing the Prophecy, The King, Siddartha's father, decided that the Buddha was to live an enclosed life away from suffering and death as ways prevent him from thinking to become a religious leader. Siddartha was forbidden to leave the palace walls. He was trained to become a king but did not feel satisfaction or belonging to such a career.
  • 558 BCE

    Siddartha and the Plough

    When the annual Plough festival arrived, Siddartha was permitted to go outside and witness such event. Siddartha saw the hard work and suffering that the Ploughing was required, and noticed a worm eaten by a bird in the ploughed soil. Siddartha realised that all things were connected and questioned why there was suffering.
  • 550 BCE

    Siddartha visits the Outside world.

    Siddhartha married at the age of 16 and was given every luxury. Despite this, he continued to grow more restless. After 13 years, he ventured outside the palace walls and here he witnessed human suffering, sickness and death. His eyes were now open to the reality of life, and he became aware of the inevitable cycle of life, suffering and death. On his second venture outside, he found a monk at peace and humility and was inspired to take up this lifestyle.
  • 550 BCE

    Siddartha leaves the Palace

    Siddhartha now decided to leave his family and luxurious lifestyle in order to seek truth and to find peace. Just before he leaves, his wife gives birth to his son.
  • 540 BCE

    Siddartha and the Five Hermits.

    During his search for Truth, Siddhartha became accustomed with the practice of meditation. Soon, he joined five hermits who denied their bodies comfort. He remained with them for six years, eating little and enduring great pain.
  • 530 BCE

    Siddartha realises the Middle Way.

    After denying his body comfort for six years with the hermits, Siddhartha decided to follow a middle path and live in moderation. He ate, bathed, and sat beneath a bodhi tree to meditate.
  • 530 BCE

    Siddartha under the Bodhi Tree

    Under the Bodhi Tree, Siddartha meditated and entered a state of mind where he confronted the Demon King that lied within him and overcame the temptations that were thrown at him.
  • 530 BCE

    Siddartha's time under the Bodhi Tree

    Siddhartha sat in meditation for 49 days under the Bodhi tree. At dawn on the 50th day, Siddhartha became enlightened.
  • 530 BCE

    Siddartha reaches Enlightenment.

    After reaching enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, Buddha sought out the five hermits and taught them the Four Noble Truths he had discovered and the Eightfold Path to follow. The hermits then became Buddha’s first disciples and helped spread his word.
  • 486 BCE

    Siddartha's death and entrance into Nirvana

    After preaching for 45 years, Buddha died at the age of 80. Having reached enlightenment, he then entered a state known as nirvana, his soul never to come to earth again.