Inspiration to become a Buddha

The story goes back incalculable numbers of eons ago to when there lived an ascetic called Sumedha (the future Buddha Shakyamuni) who encountered the Buddha Dipamkara. This meeting affected Sumedha in such a way that he too aspired to becoming a Buddha. Sumedha thus set out on the path of the cultivation of the "Ten Perfections."

The Bodhisattva cultivated these perfections over many lifetimes. The life in which he becomes the Buddha Shakyamuni some time in the fifth century BCE, represents the fruition of Sumedha’s distant aspiration and tireless endeavors.

Conception of Buddha

An old tradition tells us that shortly before his final rebirth the Bodhisattva spent his life as a god in Tusita (the Heaven of the Contented). Surveying the world from Tusita, the Bodhisattva saw the time had come for him to take a human birth and at last become a buddha; he saw that the "Middle Country" of the great continent of Jambudvipa (India) was the place in which to take birth, for its inhabitants would be receptive to his message. The Bodhisattva was conceived on the full moon night in July; that night his mother, Maya, dreamt that a white elephant carrying a white lotus in its trunk came and entered her womb through her right flank.

The birth

Historians estimate that the founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama, lived from 566(?) to 480(?) B.C.

He was born a prince circa 563 BC, in Lumbini in the Terai lowlands near the foothills of the Himalayas. At the time, this was part of northern India. It is now part of Nepal, a small country located between India and Tibet. He was a member of the Sakyas clan, the second of the four Indian castes- the aristocratic warrior caste called Kastriya. His father, Suddhodana, was king of the clan. His mother was named Maha-Maya, who died seven days after giving birth to her son.  Therefore, the young prince was called-the prince who born on the corpse of the mother.

Miraculous stories of his birth

In common with many other great religious leaders, many miraculous stories were associated with his birth.

• He emerged from his mother's side without causing her any pain.
• The earth shook as he was born. as a newborn,
• He was miraculously showered with water.
• He stood up, took seven steps, announced that he would be the "chief of the world."
• He also stated that this would be his last reincarnation.

Meanings behind Buddha's names

There are many notions associated with addressing Buddha

• He was given the name Siddharta Gautama.  Siddhartha means "one who has achieved his aim."
• Gautama was clan a name
• He was sometimes referred to as Sakyamuni which means "the sage of the Sakyas."