The sage known as Buddha is also known by many other names. Sometimes he is called Gautama, Shakyamuni, or by his birth name, Siddhartha. Gautama was said to have lived somewhere between 600 BCE and 400 BCE, around five hundred years before the birth of Jesus Christ. Hundreds of millions of people adhere to the teachings of this sage today, millions more simply have a little brass Buddha statue as a good luck charm.
Gautama is said to have taught somewhere in the northeastern region of India and his name translates to "awakened one". His teachings were became the basis of the religion known as Buddhism and were a somewhat middle ground between two extremes being taught at the time. Gautama's teachings, stories, and life accounts are said to have been recorded after his death. Many of this beliefs were passed down by oral tradition before they could be written down.
Gautama Buddha was born to the life of a prince and was expected to be great king. He led a very sheltered life from an early age, and never witnessed any pain and suffering until one day he wished to step outside of his palace walls. It was the new curiosity of the human condition that began his spiritual journey and sparked a religion that has to this day survived and thrived.
Although he was born a man and history suggests he existed and died, Buddhists have never traditionally regarded this sage as being mortal. Buddhist scriptures speak of the miracles, omniscience, and superhuman abilities of Gautama. In fact scriptures detail the man as having been a demi-god with all the abilities of a superman.
The purported birthplace of Siddhartha is in Nepal. Although it is uncertain as to when and where he was actually born, his followers celebrate his date of birth on April 8th. His life was filled with riches and opulence for the first twenty-nine years. After which he departed on a quest to understand the human condition.
Gautama gained many followers on his quest and with his disciples he set out to attain enlightenment through self-deprivation. He and his disciples would deny themselves basic comforts and needs such as shelter, food, and water. Eventually Gautama realized the error of his actions when he grew ill from such efforts. The results of Buddha's efforts gave him a new path, a path of divine meditation.
Approximately twenty-give hundred years after Gautama's death it is estimated that his teachings became the basis of spiritual following for over 300 million people world wide. It is the fourth largest religion preceded by Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity. It is difficult to ascertain how many true followers of Buddhism there are as there are few ways to measure a belief system that is often entangled with others.
It is tradition for Buddhists to have a statue of their sage at home. Having a statue of Gautama is considered good luck. Most often it is a little brass Buddha statue somewhere in plain view. There are several different types of statue which vary from a happy, laughing figure, to a calm, meditative one. Each form of statue serves a different purpose. The custom isn't exclusive to adherents of the religion, many spiritualists simply like having the statue for decoration.
Gautama is said to have taught somewhere in the northeastern region of India and his name translates to "awakened one". His teachings were became the basis of the religion known as Buddhism and were a somewhat middle ground between two extremes being taught at the time. Gautama's teachings, stories, and life accounts are said to have been recorded after his death. Many of this beliefs were passed down by oral tradition before they could be written down.
Gautama Buddha was born to the life of a prince and was expected to be great king. He led a very sheltered life from an early age, and never witnessed any pain and suffering until one day he wished to step outside of his palace walls. It was the new curiosity of the human condition that began his spiritual journey and sparked a religion that has to this day survived and thrived.
Although he was born a man and history suggests he existed and died, Buddhists have never traditionally regarded this sage as being mortal. Buddhist scriptures speak of the miracles, omniscience, and superhuman abilities of Gautama. In fact scriptures detail the man as having been a demi-god with all the abilities of a superman.
The purported birthplace of Siddhartha is in Nepal. Although it is uncertain as to when and where he was actually born, his followers celebrate his date of birth on April 8th. His life was filled with riches and opulence for the first twenty-nine years. After which he departed on a quest to understand the human condition.
Gautama gained many followers on his quest and with his disciples he set out to attain enlightenment through self-deprivation. He and his disciples would deny themselves basic comforts and needs such as shelter, food, and water. Eventually Gautama realized the error of his actions when he grew ill from such efforts. The results of Buddha's efforts gave him a new path, a path of divine meditation.
Approximately twenty-give hundred years after Gautama's death it is estimated that his teachings became the basis of spiritual following for over 300 million people world wide. It is the fourth largest religion preceded by Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity. It is difficult to ascertain how many true followers of Buddhism there are as there are few ways to measure a belief system that is often entangled with others.
It is tradition for Buddhists to have a statue of their sage at home. Having a statue of Gautama is considered good luck. Most often it is a little brass Buddha statue somewhere in plain view. There are several different types of statue which vary from a happy, laughing figure, to a calm, meditative one. Each form of statue serves a different purpose. The custom isn't exclusive to adherents of the religion, many spiritualists simply like having the statue for decoration.
