The Life and Teachings of Siddhartha Gautama.
The region that lay among the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains in the farthest northern regions of India in Nepal is where the life of "the Buddha", Siddhartha Gautama begins. There are thousands of legends and stories that are not certain to be true, and many of sayings can be attributed to him, but what we do know is the basic historical outlines of his life. .
In Nepal there was a small country that was ruled by a clan called the Shakyas. The head of the clan was named Shuddodana Gautama, and his wife's name was Mahamaya. Mayhamaya was expecting her first born, when she had the strangest dream. The dream was a baby elephant had come and blessed her with his trunk, not knowing the meaning; Mayhamaya did not ponder her thoughts. When the time came to give birth, she was to go to her father's kingdom, which was custom in the day. On the way her pains began and she lay under the shade of a large tree and the process they say was painless. It is said that the child was born fully awake and could speak. He told his mother that he was sent to free all mankind from suffering. She named him Siddhartha, which means "he who has attained his goals." Sadly Mahamaya died seven days after his birth and the role of mother was taken over by Mahaprajapati, Mahamaya's sister. .
When Siddhartha was born it was predicted that he would either be a great king or he would save all of humanity. His father feared that he would not follow in his footsteps as great king so he was kept in one of three of their family palaces, and has prevented from seeing and experiencing such things as elderly, the sick, the dead or anyone else who suffered. Siddhartha was surrounded by beauty and happiness at all times.
Siddhartha grew up to be a strong and handsome young man. As a prince of the warrior caste, he was well trained in the art of war. He was married at the age of sixteen to a princess Yashodhara.
