Birthplace and Early Life
This is the birthplace of the Buddha. He was born Siddhārtha Gautama around 500 B.C.E. in the city of Lumbini. Before his birth his mother, Queen Maha Maya had a dream about a great white elephant entered into her right side. She gave birth to Siddhārtha nine months later next to a sal tree. In Buddhist art his birth is usually depicted with Maha Maya holding onto the branches of the tree as the Buddha is being born. Immediately after birth Siddhārtha walked seven steps across seven lotus leaves and said “This is my last life.” Brama and Shiva come down to wash the infant and bless him. Sadly his mother dies in childbirth leaving Siddhārtha’s father a King to raise him.
Siddhārtha eventually marries and lives a life of luxury until he decides to take a carriage ride in his lands and sees three things that deeply disturbs him. He views and old man, a crippled man and a peasant. He decides that instead of his lavish life he must dedicate himself to finding an end to suffering which leads him on his life endeavor.
