The story of Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as The Buddha, is one of immense spiritual journey and growth. Born in 563 BCE in what is now Nepal, Siddhartha was a prince who had it all–wealth, privilege, and power. As he grew up surrounded by lavish luxuries and wealth, Siddhartha became increasingly aware of the suffering in his world. This led him to seek out a path to enlightenment, and ultimately renounce the material pleasures of his royal life.
What followed was a six-year long search for truth which eventually propelled him into a deep meditative state beneath a bodhi tree. By finding the path to Enlightenment, Siddhartha was led from the pain of suffering and rebirth towards the path of Enlightenment and became known as the Buddha or ‘awakened one’. His teachings on wisdom and compassion have become an integral part of many Buddhist teachings across cultures over centuries.
To understand more about Siddhartha Gautama’s life journey and how it impacted Buddhism around the world today, we recommend watching ‘The Buddha’, an acclaimed documentary on his life story. Filmed across India, Sri Lanka and Japan with interviews from Buddhist monks and scholars from around the world, this enlightening documentary offers insight into Buddha’s philosophy and how his teachings continue to shape our understanding of life today. With stunning visuals that capture ancient sites such as The Great Stupa at Sanchi or The Ajanta Caves – places made sacred by Buddha’s teachings – viewers are encouraged to watch this remarkable documentary to gain a deeper understanding of Buddhism’s core principles like wisdom and compassion. So don’t miss your chance to become enlightened with ‘The Buddha’!
