The Buddha
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The Buddha was born on April 8, 1 BC in Lumbini and died in 483 BC in Kushinagar. He was a Buddhist monk, philosopher, father of faith, religious leader, writer, and social reformer[1][2] who practiced the religion of Buddhism. He was married to Yaśodharā and had siblings named Sundarānanda and Sundari Nanda.
The Buddha's fields of work included philosophy, religion, Social Reform or Revolution, and peace. He was influenced by Dīpankara Buddha.
Key Facts
- Date of birth: 623 BC[11], 500 BC[12]
- Date of death: 543 BC[13], 500 BC[14]
- Father: Śuddhodana[15]
- Mother: Maya[16]
- Spouse: Yaśodharā[17]
- Child: Rāhula[18]
- Occupation: social reformer[19], spiritual teacher[20], psychiatrist[21], psychologist[22], preacher[23]
- Field of work: philosophy[24], religion[25], Social Reform or Revolution[26], peace[27], mind[28], Eastern philosophy[29]
- Student: Kṣemā[30], Bimbisara[31], Gyalpo Dawa Zangpo[32], Sharibu[33], Maitreya-nātha[34], Gawo[35], Lobpön Magakpa[36], Küngawo[37]
- Religion or worldview: Buddhism[38]
- Influenced by: Dīpankara Buddha[39]
- Sex or gender: male[40]
- Family: family of Gautama Buddha[41]
- Noble title: prince[42]
- Movement: Noble Eightfold Path[43], nirvana[44], dharma[45]
- Follows: Kassapa Buddha[46]
- Followed by: Maitreya[47]
- Part of: Buddhism[48]
- Commons category: Shakyamuni Buddha[49]
- Canonization status: thaumaturge[50], avatar[51]
- Said to be the same as: Shakyamuni Tathāgata[52], Rulai Buddha[53], The Buddha in Hinduism[54]
- Honorific prefix: Tathāgata[55], lord[56], Bhagavan[57]
- Commemorates: Tathāgata[58], Bhagavan[59]
- Residence: India[60], Nepal[61]
- Family name: Gautam[62]
Body
Works and Contributions
Things named for The Buddha include Buddh International Circuit[63], Buddha bowl[64], Buddah Records[65], and Siddhartha Highway[66].
Why It Matters
The Buddha has Wikipedia articles in 30 language editions, a strong signal of global cultural recognition.[67] He is known by 145 alternative names across languages and contexts.[68]
He has been cited as an influence by Mahatma Gandhi[69], a politician[70], 1869–1948[71], of British Raj[72], awarded the Time Person of the Year[73], specialised in philosophy[74]; Leo Tolstoy[75], a writer[76], 1828–1910[77], of Russian Empire[78], awarded the Order of Saint Anna, 4th class[79], specialised in philosophy[80]; B. R. Ambedkar[81], an economist[82], 1891–1956[83], of British Raj[84], awarded the Bharat Ratna[85], specialised in economics[86]; Viktor Bout[87], an arms trafficker[88], b. 1967[89], of Soviet Union[90], specialised in entrepreneurship[91]; Ashoka[92], a politician[93], -0304–-0232[94], of Maurya empire[95]; and Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck[96], a monarch[97], b. 1980[98], of Bhutan[99], awarded the doctor honoris causa of Keiō University[100].
Works attributed to him include Heart Sutra[101]. Entities named for him include Buddh International Circuit[63], Buddha bowl[64], Buddah Records[65], and Siddhartha Highway[66].
FAQs
Where was The Buddha born?
The Buddha's place of birth was Lumbini[2].
Where did The Buddha die?
The Buddha died in Kushinagar[4].
Who were The Buddha's parents?
The Buddha's father was Śuddhodana[15]. The Buddha's mother was Maya[16].
Who was The Buddha married to?
The Buddha's spouses include Yaśodharā[17].
What did The Buddha do for work?
The Buddha worked as a Buddhist monk[5], philosopher[6], father of faith[7], religious leader[8], and writer[9].
Who did The Buddha influence?
The Buddha has been cited as an influence by Mahatma Gandhi[69], Leo Tolstoy[75], B. R. Ambedkar[81], and Viktor Bout[87].