Buddhism's Important Figures
Buddha
The Buddha means "the enlightened one". The Buddha is Siddhartha Gautama. His thoughts and teachings were the basis for Buddhism in its original form. He laid out the four main ideas, also known as the Four Noble Truths, to understand his enlightenment. His teachings were written down shortly after he died. After he died Buddhism was spread throughout Asia. The Hindus saw him as one of the ten reincarnations of the god Vishnu.
Siddartha Gautama
Siddartha Gautama was born in the Himalayas of Nepal, in a city called Kapilavastu around 563 B.C. He was born into a noble family. At his birth, his parents were given a prophecy saying that if they kept him locked up in their palace, he would be destined to be a world leader, and if he left the palace he would become a universal spiritual leader. Four times he left his palace, when he was 29 years old. He meditated for 49 days until he achieved an understanding of the cause of suffering. He then became known as the “Buddha” or the awakened one. He died in about 483 B.C. Festivals are held in many Buddhist countries on the dates when he was believed to be born, died, and attained enlightenment. Siddartha Gautama is not worshipped as a deity, rather he is honored and revered as a visionary and an example for Buddhists the world over.
Dalai Lama
Dalai Lama loosely translates to "Ocean of Wisdom". The 14th Dalai Lama was born as Lhamo Thondup. He was born in Taktser, a small village of northeastern Tibet, in 1935. He is still alive and the current Dalai Lama. He is still worshiped throughout the world. He is one of the most noticed and minded political/spiritual leaders in the world because of his struggles for peace and freedom. Traveling takes much of his time as does speaking for peace. ("Dalai Lama")
The Buddha means "the enlightened one". The Buddha is Siddhartha Gautama. His thoughts and teachings were the basis for Buddhism in its original form. He laid out the four main ideas, also known as the Four Noble Truths, to understand his enlightenment. His teachings were written down shortly after he died. After he died Buddhism was spread throughout Asia. The Hindus saw him as one of the ten reincarnations of the god Vishnu.
Siddartha Gautama
Siddartha Gautama was born in the Himalayas of Nepal, in a city called Kapilavastu around 563 B.C. He was born into a noble family. At his birth, his parents were given a prophecy saying that if they kept him locked up in their palace, he would be destined to be a world leader, and if he left the palace he would become a universal spiritual leader. Four times he left his palace, when he was 29 years old. He meditated for 49 days until he achieved an understanding of the cause of suffering. He then became known as the “Buddha” or the awakened one. He died in about 483 B.C. Festivals are held in many Buddhist countries on the dates when he was believed to be born, died, and attained enlightenment. Siddartha Gautama is not worshipped as a deity, rather he is honored and revered as a visionary and an example for Buddhists the world over.
Dalai Lama
Dalai Lama loosely translates to "Ocean of Wisdom". The 14th Dalai Lama was born as Lhamo Thondup. He was born in Taktser, a small village of northeastern Tibet, in 1935. He is still alive and the current Dalai Lama. He is still worshiped throughout the world. He is one of the most noticed and minded political/spiritual leaders in the world because of his struggles for peace and freedom. Traveling takes much of his time as does speaking for peace. ("Dalai Lama")