Gautama Buddha or Siddhārtha Gautama Buddha) was a spiritual teacher from the Indian subcontinent [note 1], on whose teachings Buddhism was founded.[6]
The word Buddha is a title for the first awakened being in an era. In most Buddhist traditions, Siddhartha Gautama is regarded as the Supreme Buddha of our age, "Buddha" meaning "awakened one" or "the enlightened one
Gautama taught a Middle Way compared to the severe asceticism found in the Sramana (renunciation) movement [7] common in his region. He later taught throughout regions of eastern India such as Magadha and Kośala.[8][9]
Gautama is the primary figure in Buddhism, and accounts of his life, discourses, and monastic rules are believed by Buddhists to have been summarized after his death and memorized by his followers.
Various collections of teachings attributed to him were passed down by oral tradition, and first committed to writing about 400 years later.Siddhartha was born in a royal Hindu family.[21] He was brought up by his mother's younger sister, Maha Pajapati.[29]
By tradition, he is said to have been destined by birth to the life of a prince, and had three palaces (for seasonal occupation) built for him.
Although more recent scholarship doubts this status, his father, said to be King Śuddhodana, wishing for his son to be a great king, is said to have shielded him from religious teachings and from knowledge of human suffering.
When he reached the age of 16, his father reputedly arranged his marriage to a cousin of the same age named Yaśodharā (Pāli: Yasodharā). According to the traditional account,[which?] she gave birth to a son, named Rāhula. Siddhartha is then said to have spent 29 years as a prince in Kapilavastu.
Although his father ensured that Siddhartha was provided with everything he could want or need, Buddhist scriptures say that the future Buddha felt that material wealth was not life's ultimate goal.[29
The time of Gautama's birth and death are uncertain: most