Founder of Buddhism – Gautam Buddha

Founder of Buddhism – Gautam Buddha

Buddha Purnima is celebrated on the full moon that falls in the month of Vaishakh. Gautam Buddha (Siddhartha Gautam), the ninth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, was born on the full moon of Vaishakh month. Siddhartha Gautama, after attaining Buddhahood, came to be known as “Gautam Buddha”. Gautam Buddha introduced many people to the truth. This day of Lord Buddha is celebrated not only by the people of Buddhism, but also by the people of Hinduism. Lord Buddha is also known as Sakamuni and Shakyamuni.

This day is very special for those who believe in Buddhism, because on this day Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, attained enlightenment and his Mahanirvana also took place on Buddha Purnima. People celebrate this day with great pomp.

In short, on the day of Vaishakh Purnima, Gautam Buddha was born, attained enlightenment and attained Mahaparinirvana (liberation or death) on this day.

Biography

Birth

Lord Buddha was born in 563 BC in Lumbini (Lumbini province of Nepal) near Kapilvastu, the then capital of the Shakya Republic. His father was of Ikshvaku dynasty Kshatriya Shakya clan’s king Suddhodhana and mother was of Koliya dynasty, whose name was Mahamaya. His mother died after 7 days of his birth.

Gautam Buddha was brought up by Mahaprajapati Gautami, the younger real sister of Mahamaya, the second queen of King Shuddhodana. At birth Gautam Buddha was named Siddhartha. He was born in the Gautam gotra, so he was also addressed as Gautam i.e. Siddhartha Gautama. Siddhartha’s heart was tender, a source of kindness and compassion from his childhood.

Siddhartha Gautam was more concerned about others because of his gentle nature. In horse racing during the game, when the horse got tired of running, they would stop the horse and deliberately lose. Similarly, he used to do the same in sports also because defeating someone and making someone sad was not seen from him.

Education and Marriage

Siddhartha Gautama was taught by the sage Vishwamitra in the Vedas, Upanishads as well as the administration and warfare. Siddhartha Gautama was married at the age of 16 to his aunt’s daughter Yashodhara, the reason being that there was no empire bigger than the Lakshvi dynasty at that time, when his father’s Maharaj Shuddhodhana married his sister’s daughter Yashodhara. Had it done.

Home Abandonment

Siddhartha Gautama’s mind started going into more detachment after marriage. He started thinking excessively about the life and death, sufferings, old age sorrow and poverty going on in the world and he decided to sacrifice his family for the sake of proper happiness and peace.

At the age of 29, Siddhartha Gautama left his wife Yashodhara and his infant son Rahul and set out at midnight in search of truth. They wandered for a long time. Siddhartha Gautama roamed around and approached Uddak Ramputta and Alar Kalam. There he learned to practice yoga, meditation, but he was not satisfied with it and from there he reached Uruvela and started doing penance.

Acquisition of Knowledge

Siddhartha Gautama, at the age of 35, meditated under a Peepal tree on the day of Vaishakh Purnima. At that place Buddha attained enlightenment and was called Buddha. The tree under which he did penance became known as Bodhi tree and the place became famous as Bodh Gaya, which is presently situated in Bihar.

Establishment of Buddhism

After attaining enlightenment, Gautam Buddha preached to his five sannyasi companions and founded Buddhism, which is one of the main religions of the world. Emperor Ashoka did the most preaching and propagation of the teachings and words of Lord Buddha.

Made People Aware of The Truth

Lord Buddha introduced the people to the truth and gradually they formed a huge association. He became many followers. Mahaprajapati Gautami (the mother of Buddha) was the first to enter the Buddhist sangha and Ananda was a beloved disciple of the Buddha.

Mahaparinirvana

Lord Buddha announced at the age of 80 that he would soon leave for Parinirvana and during this time he died of serious illness at Kushinagara (Kushinagar) in 483 AD. The followers of Buddhism call it ‘Mahaparinirvana’.

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