by Maureen Leung

Created on: May 28, 2011

Siddhartha Gautama (566-486 B.C.E.) was a man who went through many transitions in life.  During his journey in life, Siddhartha had earned many titles. Siddhartha was a prince and a warrior. He was also a seeker.  In addition, Siddhartha was the founder of Buddhism, a spiritual teacher and a philosopher.  Furthermore, Siddhartha was a Buddha, meaning the awakened one, which has inspired many people to know about his life and his teaching. 

Siddhartha was born in what is now a modern Nepal.  His father, Suddhodana, was the ruler of Kapilavastu.  His mother was a Koliyan princess, who died later after Siddhartha’ birth. When Siddhartha was born, a seer named Asita predicted his future.  He told Siddhartha’s father that his son would one day either be the greatest ruler of an entire kingdom or be the greatest godly man.  When he heard this news, Suddhodana held a ceremony to celebrate his son’s birth.  He invited eight seers to predict his son’s future.  All eight seers predicted the same things as Asita did about Siddhartha’s future.

King Suddhodana did not want his son to become a godly man when he heard the news.  Instead, he wished Siddhartha to become a king.  Thus, King Suddhodana did everything to prevent his son from becoming a godly man.  He provided everything that his son wanted or needed to shielded his son from going out the palace.  He did not want his son to know the knowledge of human suffering.  He also did not want Siddhartha to study any religious teaching. 

At age sixteen, Siddhartha had an arranged marriage arranged by his father.  King Suddhodana arranged Siddhartha to marry his cousin named Yasohara.  He married her. Later, she gave birth to a son named Rahula.  Siddhartha was living happily with his wife and son in the palace.  He also was indulging the luxury life living in the palace for 29 years.  On the other hand, Siddhartha was curious about the world beyond the palace walls.  Therefore, one day, Siddhartha went outside the palace with an attendant.

During his journey beyond the palace walls, Siddhartha saw an old man, a sick man, a corpse, and a spiritual seeker.  He was not sure why those men were not healthy.  Thus, he asked his attendant.  His attendant replied that everybody would grow old one day.  He or she would never stay young and perfect forever.  Moreover,

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