Siddhartha Gautama was born into a royal family in Nepal in 563 BC. He was shielded from suffering in his youth but eventually saw an ill, old, and dead man outside the palace walls. This led him to renounce his life of luxury and meditate under a bodhi tree, where he attained enlightenment and became the Buddha. He then taught the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path to end suffering through moderate living and wisdom. Buddhism spread widely based on these teachings of Buddha.

1. Gautama Buddha
by Pushti Shah

2. Siddhartha Gautama
(Gautama Buddha) was
born into a royal family, in
563BC. His father’s name
was King Shuddhona and
his mother’s name was
Queen Maya. Buddha was
born under a Sal tree near
a place called Lumbini in
Nepal, when his mother
was travelling to her
father’s place. Gautama
Buddha’s birth is
celebrated as Buddha
Purnima and it falls on full
moon day.
Early life of Buddha

3. Life as Prince
After his birth Brahmins made a
prediction that he will become
either a greatest king or a great
religious leader. His father
wanted him to be a great king so
he kept him protected within the
walls of the palace where he can
experience only happiness and
good things in life. Prince
Siddhartha lived a life of luxury
and abundance in a protected
palace. He married Princess
Yashodhara and they had a son
named Rahul.

4. One day, Gautama left his palace to see
the outside world for the first time. He
saw three simple things: A sick man, A
old man and a Corpse. He charioteer
told him that all beings are subject to
sickness, old age and death. Gautama
was very disturbed and returned to the
palace. He decided to leave the palace
in search of the answer to the problem
of sufferings after bidding his wife and
child a silent farewell without waking
them up he rode towards the forest. He
cut his hair with a sword and changed
his clothes to a simple robe.
Buddha’s Renunciation (Departure)

5. Siddhartha Gautama wandered
for years and met with Hindu
Scholars, whose ideas didn’t
answer his questions. He fasted
and meditated under a tree
pondering the mystery of life.
Legend tells that during the night
evil spirits tempted Gautama to
give up meditating, but he didn’t.
He meditated until he found full
awakening. After he rose, he
believed he understood the cause
and cure for suffering and sorrow.
He then became Buddha or
“Enlightened One”. This event
occurred under a Peepal tree
which is also known as the Bodhi
tree.
How Gautama became Buddha?

6. The First Sermon
After realising that meditation was
the right path to awakening
Gautama discovered ‘’The Middle
way’’- a path of moderation away
from extremes of self indulgence
and self modification.
After awakening Buddha hesitated
that if he should teach
Dharma(UNIVERSAL TRUTH) to
others. It is said that God Brahma
Sahampati convinced him to spread
his teachings to others. He gave his
first Sermon(PREACHINGS) to a
group of five monks. The Buddha
continuous to teach others and
formed the first Sangha(Group).

7. The Eight-fold Path or The middle Path
The Eight-fold Path Means:
• Right views
• Right intentions
• Right action
• Right conduct
• Right livelihood
• Right effort
• Right concentration
• Right mindfulness

8. Four Noble Truths:
All life is full of suffering, pain,
and sorrow.
The cause of suffering is non
virtue, thinking such as hatred
and desire.
The only cure for suffering is to
overcome these negative deeds
and thoughts.
The way to overcome these
negative deeds and thoughts is
to follow the Eightfold Path.
Key teachings of Buddhism

9. Life is suffering
Follow the 4 Noble Truths
and Eightfold Path
This Path leads to better
Karma(destiny or fate,
following as effect from
cause)and a life purity.
A pure and enlightened soul
can ultimately achieve
Nirvana(a state of perfect
happiness, liberation)
MAJOR BELIEFS

10. Buddha started a religion which is
known as Buddhism. Buddhism explains
a purpose to life, it explains apparent
injustice and inequality around the
world, and it provides a code of practice
or way of life to true happiness and
according to Buddhist doctrine,
happiness comes from inner peace. The
main form of mental training is
meditation. Studies show that
meditating has many mental health
benefits such as reducing stress, anxiety
and depression. Buddhism is a religion
to about 300 million people around the
world. The word comes from
‘’Budhi’’,’to awaken’.
WHAT IS BUDDHISM?

11. Thank you!