15 Must Know Facts about Buddha and Buddhism

Buddha and Buddhism

Founder of Buddhism:

Gautam Buddha was the founder of Buddhism, he was born in 563 BC as Prince Siddhartha on the Vaisakha Poornima day at Lumbini (near Kapilvastu) in Nepal.

Prince Siddhartha:

His father Suddhodana was a ruler of Saka dynasty, and his mother Mahamaya was of Kosala dynasty.

Stepmother Gautami:

His mother died only after 7 days of his birth. He was brought up by his stepmother Gautami.

Marriage and Son:

He got married at the age of 16 to Yashodhara. He had a son named Rahula.

Mahabhinishkramana:

At the age of 29 Gautam Buddha left the palace in search of truth, the event was known as ‘Mahabhinishkramana’.

Nirvana:

He wandered for 6 years in the search of truth and finally attained ‘Nirvana’ or ‘Enlightenment’ at Gaya in Magadh (Bihar) under the Pipal tree.

Horse n Charioteer:

Buddha’s favorite horse was Kanthaka and charioteer was Channa.

Teachers of Buddha:

For the first time, Buddha meditated with Alara Kalama, his next teacher was Udraka Ramputra.

Ascetics:

Buddha joined five ascetics namely Kondna, Vappa, Bhadiya, Mhanama, and Asagi.

First Sermon (Buddhism)

Mahatma Buddha delivered the first sermon at Sarnath, his first sermon is called “Dharmachakrapravartan” or “Turning the Wheel of Law”.

Mahaparinirvana

Mahatma Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana at Kushinagar in 483 BC at the age of 80 in the Malla republic.

Tripitakas (Buddhism)

Buddhist Literature is mainly written in Pali Language. Buddhist scriptures in Pali are commonly referred to as Tripitakas, i.e. ‘Threefold Basket’.

Vinaya, Sutta, and Abhidhamma

Vinaya Pitaka is the rules of discipline in Buddhist monasteries. Sutta Pitaka is largest, and it contains a collection of Buddha’s sermons. Abhidhamma Pitaka explains the philosophical principles of the Buddhism.

Mahavansh and Deepvansh

Mahavansh and Deepvansh are other Buddhist texts; these provide information about then Sri Lanka.

Dhamma and Sangha

Buddha’s teaching are called Dhamma and the Order of Buddhist monk and nuns is known as Sangha.

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