Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)
c. 563–c. 483 B.C.
Google searches: 4 million+ per month
Number of books: c. 7 million
You might be surprised to know that most of the people who google Buddha are not Buddhists.
In the Western Hemisphere and throughout Europe, Buddhism is not as well understood as the
three major monotheisms. A few clarifications:
In the Western Hemisphere and throughout Europe, Buddhism is not as well understood as the
three major monotheisms. A few clarifications:
Gautama was probably born in Kapilavastu or Lumbini, Nepal in about 563 B.C., about 24 years
after Babylon sacked Jerusalem. Gautama was a mortal man who attained Nirvana, or spiritual
awakening and peace of mind, at the age of 35, while seated under a Pipal tree, now referred to
as the Bodhi tree, in Bodh Gaya, India. The tree growing there now was planted in 288 B.C.
from a seed of the original. Buddha sat in meditation for 49 days until he attained the knowledge
of how to thoroughly end suffering for all people on Earth. The people do have to follow his
teaching in order to free themselves from the various griefs of life.
after Babylon sacked Jerusalem. Gautama was a mortal man who attained Nirvana, or spiritual
awakening and peace of mind, at the age of 35, while seated under a Pipal tree, now referred to
as the Bodhi tree, in Bodh Gaya, India. The tree growing there now was planted in 288 B.C.
from a seed of the original. Buddha sat in meditation for 49 days until he attained the knowledge
of how to thoroughly end suffering for all people on Earth. The people do have to follow his
teaching in order to free themselves from the various griefs of life.
This is called the Noble Eightfold Path: right view, right intention, right concentration, right
speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, and right mindfulness. If you hold to all these,
you will be able to put away all worries and you will be truly happy and unaffected by anything.
Buddha rejected the notion of any literature being infallible, and argued that truth must be
experienced to be known.
speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, and right mindfulness. If you hold to all these,
you will be able to put away all worries and you will be truly happy and unaffected by anything.
Buddha rejected the notion of any literature being infallible, and argued that truth must be
experienced to be known.
Gautama, the Supreme Buddha, is worshipped in Hinduism as well, as one of the ten
representations of Vishnu, who is the god above all others. Baha’i also venerates Gautama as a
mortal manifestation of God, who descended to teach mankind to love one another and how to
be happy. Gautama is traditionally said to have died in about 411 B.C., at the age of 150 or so.
Modern scholars place his death at about 483, at the age of 80.
representations of Vishnu, who is the god above all others. Baha’i also venerates Gautama as a
mortal manifestation of God, who descended to teach mankind to love one another and how to
be happy. Gautama is traditionally said to have died in about 411 B.C., at the age of 150 or so.
Modern scholars place his death at about 483, at the age of 80.
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