Buddha

The Buddha passed away in Kushinagar, achieving Parinirvana, the final state of liberation from the cycle of rebirth. His last words to his disciples were a reminder to strive diligently and to be lamps unto themselves.

Siddhartha Gautama, who would later become known as the Buddha, was born in Lumbini, a region in modern-day Nepal. He was born into the Shakya clan as a prince, with his father, King Suddhodana, ruling the small kingdom of Kapilavastu.

Shortly after his birth, Siddhartha was presented to a sage who predicted that the young prince would either become a great king or a great spiritual leader, depending on his life experiences.

Siddhartha received a privileged education, learning the arts, sciences, and the skills of a warrior. His father ensured that he was well-prepared to inherit the throne, but also sheltered him from the harsh realities of the world outside the palace.

At the age of 19, Siddhartha married Yasodhara, a beautiful and noble princess. Their marriage was arranged to strengthen political alliances and ensure the continuation of the royal lineage.

Siddhartha and Yasodhara's son, Rahula, was born. This event deepened Siddhartha's contemplation of the impermanence of life and the suffering that accompanies it.

Siddhartha, deeply moved by the suffering he witnessed during his chariot rides outside the palace, decided to renounce his royal life. He left his family, wealth, and kingdom in search of a solution to end human suffering.

Siddhartha studied with various ascetics and spiritual teachers, practicing extreme austerities in an attempt to find enlightenment. However, he found that these practices did not lead to the liberation he sought.

After six years of searching and intense meditation, Siddhartha attained enlightenment while sitting under a Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya. He realized the nature of suffering and the path to its end, becoming the Buddha, meaning 'the Awakened One.'

The Buddha delivered his first sermon in the Deer Park at Sarnath, near Varanasi. This sermon, known as the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, laid out the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, the core teachings of Buddhism.

The Buddha's first five disciples, who had previously studied with him, joined him in forming the Sangha, the community of monks. This marked the beginning of the organized spread of Buddhism.