- Buddha was born at Lumbini village of Kapilavastu Nepal in 563 BC in the Shakya Kshatriya clan.
- His clan considered themselves to be descendants of Ikshvaku dynasty.
- He died in 483 BC near Kushinara (Kushinagar, UP) and the event is known as Mahaparinirvana.
- Mahabhiraskramana or the Great Going Forth is the event when Gautam Buddha left his home and discarded worldly life.
- His first teacher was Alara Kalama from whom he learnt the technique of Meditation.
Discovering Buddha’s Path
- After leaving his home in search of enlightenment Buddha visited Vaishali and learnt Sankhya darshan.
- He then went to Rajgriha and learned yoga.
- He later went to Uruvela(Bodh Gaya) on the bank of river Niranjana(Falgu) where he attained enlightenment(Nirvana) at the age of 35. This event is known as Sambodhi.
- He then went on to Sarnath where he delivered his first sermon also called Dharmachakrapravartana.
- Buddha delivered his maximum sermons from Shravasti and made Magadha his promotional centre.
- Ashta-mahasthana refers to the eight significant places associated with the life of Buddha. These include: Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Shravasti, Sankissa, Rajgriha and Vaishali.
Chronology of places Buddha visited
Kapilavastu(563 BC) – Bodhgaya(500 BC) – Sarnath(528 BC) – Kushinagar(483 BC)
