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GAUTAM BUDDHA

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Key Facts about Gautama Buddha

  • Original Name: Siddhartha Gautama
  • Birth Place :  Lumbini (563 BC)
  • Father: Suddhodana
  • Clan:   Shakya
  • Mother: MahaMaya
  • Wife: Yashodhara
  • Son: Rahul
  • Charioteer: Channa
  • Teachers (Gurus):Alara Kalama and Uddaka Ramaputt

     Major Events in the Life of Gautama Buddha

    EventPlaceImportant Fact
    Birth (Janma)LumbiniBirthplace
    Great Renunciation
    (Mahabhinishkramana)    		KapilavastuLeft home at the age of 29 years
    Enlightenment
    (Sambodhi)    		Bodh GayaAttained enlightenment under Bodhi tree
    First Sermon
    (Dharmachakra Pravartana)    		SarnathDharmachakra Pravartana (Turning of the Wheel of Dhamma)
    MahaparinirvanaKushinagarDied at the age of 80 years

    FOUR  NOBLE TRUTHS OF GAUTAMA BUDDHA (Arya Satya)

    The core teachings of Gautam Buddha is the Four Noble Truths (Arya Satya):

    1. Dukkha – Life involves Suffering.
    2. Samudaya – The cause of suffering is Desire
    3. Nirodha – Suffering can be ended.
    4. Magga – The path to end suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path.

       THE EIGHTFOLD PATH (Ashtangika Marga)

    1. Right View
    2. Right Intention
    3. Right Speech
    4. Right Action
    5. Right Livelihood
    6. Right Effort
    7. Right Mindfulness
    8. Right Concentration

    Triratna (Three Jewels) of Buddhism:

    • Buddha (The Enlightened One).
    • Dhamma (The Teachings/Doctrine).
    • Sangha (The Monastic Order).

    IMPORTANT BUDDHIST CONCEPTS

    • Dhamma/Dharma: Buddha’s teachings.
      • Karma: Actions and their consequences.
      • Nirvana: Free from suffering and the cycle of rebirth.
      • Ahimsa: Non-violence.
      • Middle Path: Avoidance of extreme paths
      • Ahimsa: Non-violence.
      • Anatta/Anatman:  Absence of permanent and unchanging self.
      • Anitya/Anicca: Everything is not lasting forever
      • Pratityasamutpada:  phenomena arise through interconnected causes    and conditions.

    SOME IMPORTANT PERSONS IN GAUTAMA BUDDHA’S LIFE

    • Ananda – Buddha’s cousin and close attendant; known for his excellent memory.
    • Sariputta (Shariputra) – One of the two Chief Disciples; foremost in wisdom.
    • Moggallana (Mahamaudgalyayana) – Second Chief Disciple; foremost in psychic powers.
    • Mahakassapa (Mahakashyapa) – Principal disciple; associated with ascetic practices and the First Buddhist Council.
    • Mahapajapati Gotami – Buddha’s foster mother; traditionally the first Bhikkhuni.
    • Rahula – Buddha’s son; became a monk.
    • Upali – Foremost in Vinaya (monastic discipline); recited Vinaya at the First Buddhist Council.
    • Anuruddha – Buddha’s cousin; associated with the divine eye.
    • Kondanna (Kauṇḍinya) – One of the five ascetics; first to understand Buddha’s teaching after the First Sermon.
    • Anathapindika – Wealthy lay patron; associated with Jetavana at Sravasti.