Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
Buddha
Table of Contents
References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Images
Buddha Mahā Māyā dreaming of the white elephant dream of Maya presaging the Buddha's birth Buddha assaulted by Mara and his demon horde Gautama Buddha seated Buddha reclining Buddha Stupa III at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh Buddha Borobudur: Buddha sculpture and stupas
For Students
Gautama Buddha
Buddha summary
Quizzes
Buddha. Temple mural in Thailand of the Buddha founder of a major religions and philosophical system Buddhism.
Buddha and Buddhism
Read Next
The Chinese philosopher Confucius (Koshi) in conversation with a little boy in front of him. Artist: Yashima Gakutei. 1829
The Axial Age: 5 Fast Facts
Candles Burning On Table In Church
What Is the Most Widely Practiced Religion in the World?
Tibetan leader Dalai Lama, 2008.
The 14th Dalai Lama: A Life in Pictures
Discover
Hemp (Cannabis sativa).
9 Mind-Altering Plants
Fish. Lionfish. Lion-fish. Turkey fish. Fire-fish. Red lionfish. Pterois volitans. Venomous fin spines. Coral reefs. Underwater. Ocean. Red lionfish swims by seaweed.
10 of the World’s Most Dangerous Fish
Marriage. A couple getting married during a church wedding ceremony. (religion, ceremony, bride, groom)
The Seven Sacraments of the Roman Catholic church
July, 2006, Launch of Space Shuttle Discovery STS-121. See attached for full caption information.
Will Light-Speed Space Travel Ever Be Possible?
Shah Jahan. Taj Mahal. Mughal architecture. Emperor Shah Jahan fifth Mughal Emperor (reigned 1628-1658) India, Himachal Pradesh, Basohli or Jammu and Kashmir, Mankot, circa 1690 Drawings; Opaque watercolor, gold, and ink on paper (see notes)
6 Important Mughal Emperors
Candles Burning On Table In Church
What Is the Most Widely Practiced Religion in the World?
Lusitania sinking, illustration from The War of the Nations (New York), December 31, 1919. World War I, WWI. This image is one of three on the page. (See source file for the other two.)
7 of the World’s Deadliest Shipwrecks

Buddha: Facts & Related Content

verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Share
Share to social media
URL
https://www.britannica.com/facts/Buddha-founder-of-Buddhism
Written and fact-checked by
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

The Information Architects maintain a master list of the topics included in the corpus of  Encyclopædia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them.
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

News •

Sri Lankan police investigate photo of Buddha’s tooth relic • Apr. 20, 2025, 4:04 AM ET (The Guardian)
Indian Embassy, Dongguk University team up for Buddha’s Birthday • Apr. 15, 2025, 7:22 AM ET (Korea Herald)
Indian Embassy, Dongguk University mark Buddha’s Birthday • Apr. 15, 2025, 3:33 AM ET (Korea Herald)
Myanmar community holds quake fundraiser • Apr. 13, 2025, 7:27 AM ET (Taipei Times)
Workers save Buddha statue as South Korea's wildfires raze ancient temple • Mar. 27, 2025, 3:04 AM ET (Straits Times)

Facts

Also Known As Siddhartha Gautama • Sage of the Śākyas • Gotama Buddha • Siddhattha • Shaka • Shakyamuni • Shaka Nyorai • Śākyamuni • Gautama Buddha
Born Lumbini • Nepal
Died India
Notable Family Members mother Maha Maya

Did You Know?

  • The Mahabodhi Temple is one of the sacred sites surrounding the Buddha's life since it is built on the spot where the Buddha is said to have achieved enlightenment.
  • Theraveda Buddhism, which stresses the humanity of Buddha, is popular in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, and some parts of India.
  • There is a 5th century monument called Dhamekh Stupa built at Sarnath commemorating the Buddha's first sermon.

Photos

Buddha
Mahā Māyā dreaming of the white elephant
dream of Maya presaging the Buddha's birth
Buddha assaulted by Mara and his demon horde
Gautama Buddha
seated Buddha
reclining Buddha
Stupa III at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh
Buddha
Borobudur: Buddha sculpture and stupas
See All Images →

Related Topics and References

Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic
Jesus Christ
Jesus
Ananda
Ananda
Buddhist monk
Amoghavajra
Buddhist monk
14th Dalai Lama
14th Dalai Lama
Tibetan Buddhist monk
Nichiren
Nichiren
Japanese Buddhist monk
Shinran
Japanese Buddhist philosopher
Nagarjuna
Nagarjuna
Buddhist philosopher
Wendi
emperor of Sui dynasty
Angkor, Cambodia: Angkor Thom ruins
Jayavarman VII
king of Khmer empire
Hōnen
Buddhist priest
Alan Watts
Alan Watts
British-born American writer, philosopher, and lecturer
Xuanzang
Xuanzang
Buddhist monk
Pillar commemorating Ashoka at Vaishali
Ashoka
emperor of India
Faxian
Chinese Buddhist monk
Lobsang Sangay
Lobsang Sangay
Tibetan scholar and political leader
Philip Kapleau
American religious leader
Harsha
Indian emperor
Bodhidharma
Buddhist monk
Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh
Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh
Indian spiritual leader
Menander
Indo-Greek king

Related Quizzes and Features

Quiz
Buddha. Temple mural in Thailand of the Buddha founder of a major religions and philosophical system Buddhism.
Buddha and Buddhism
List
The Chinese philosopher Confucius (Koshi) in conversation with a little boy in front of him. Artist: Yashima Gakutei. 1829
The Axial Age: 5 Fast Facts
Demystified
Candles Burning On Table In Church
What Is the Most Widely Practiced Religion in the World?