Gautama Buddha

The founder of Buddhism, Gautama alias Siddhartha was born at Lumbini near the border of Nepal in about 563 B.C. Buddha was contemporary of Mahavira. Gautama’s father seems to have been the elected ruler of Kapilavastu, and headed the republican clan of the Shakyas. His mother was princess from the Kosalan dynasty. He was deeply depressed by all forms of human misery and yearned for freedom. From his early childhood Gautama showed a meditative bent  of mind. He was married early, but married life didn’t interest him. He was moved by the misery which people suffered in the world, and looked for solution. At the age of 29, like Mahavira, he left home. He kept wandering for about seven years and then attained knowledge at the age of 35 at Bodh Gaya under a pipal tree. From this time onwards he began to be called the Buddha or the enlightened.  

             Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermons at Sarnath in Banaras. He undertook long journeys and took his message far and wide. He had a very strong physique which enabled him to walk 20 to 30 km a day. He preached most of his sermonds at Sravasti. Gautama Buddha passed away at the age of 80 in 483 B.C. at a place called Kushinagar.