Buddha: The Story of Siddhartha Gautama Before Enlightenment

When we think of Buddha, we often picture a peaceful person full of meditation, calm, intelligent, and compassionate. But before he became enlightened, he was Siddharth Gautam.

A prince surrounded by luxury, yet searching for restless and deep meaning.

This is the story of his journey before enlightenment. A trajectory towards search, sacrifice, and courage to leave everything behind in exploration of truth.

If you are ready to find out how a royal life turned into a spiritual journey, let's dive in.

The Birth of Buddha: A Prince with a Unique Destiny

Siddhartha Gautama, who later became the Buddha, was born around 563 BCE in Lumbini. Which is now a sacred site in Nepal. His father, King Suddhodana, ruled the Shakya dynasty, and his mother was Queen Maya Devi. She was said to have given birth to Siddhartha Gautam underneath a sal tree in the beautiful Lumbini garden.

Legend tells us that the beginning of Gautama Buddha was remarkable. It is believed that Siddhartha took seven steps immediately after being born and declared:

"I'm born for supreme knowledge. That is my final birth."

 Soon after his birth, sages and astrologers predicted feasible futures for the younger prince. He could either become a great king who rules. Or a totally enlightened person who might lead humanity toward religious freedom.

King Suddhodana was afraid that Siddhartha might go away from the palace to follow a spiritual path. So, he did the whole thing he should to keep Siddhartha focused on royal life and far from whatever could make him follow a nonsecular path.

A Life of Privilege: The Sheltered Prince

Siddhartha Gautam was born as a prince. He was raised in wealth and comfort. His father built three magnificent palaces for him—one for each season—filled with entertainment, music, and fine clothes. 

Buddha, before his awakening, lived a preserved life with all kinds of sorrows. The king banned any mention or performance of illness, aging, or death inside the palace.

At the age of 16, Siddharth married Princess Yasodhara, and together they had a son named Rahula, meaning "fetus" or "bond." 

This name symbolizes Siddharth's growing awareness about his attachment to worldly life.

Nevertheless, despite his grand surroundings, Siddharth felt a deep, consistent disagreement. There was some stir inside him—a quiet yearning to understand the deep meaning of life beyond rest and royalty.

You can also explore our authentic hand-painted life story of Buddha thangkas.

Learn about the journey from suffering to enlightenment. From Siddhartha Gautama to Shakyamuni Buddha. 

The Four Sights: Siddhartha’s Awakening to Life’s Realities

At the age of 29, Siddharth marked an important chapter in Buddha's life story, beyond palace gates. During his journey outside, he faced what are known as four sights. These experiences shaped his fate:

1. An Old Man

For the first time, he saw an old man in weakness. Then, Siddharth realized that the nature of aging is unavoidable.

2. A Sick Person

He witnessed illness, and that left him in shock. He learned that anyone can suffer regardless of any status.

3. A Dead Body

Facing a corpse, Siddharth came face-to-face with the reality of death. A faith no one can escape from. 

4. An Ascetic Monk

Finally, he saw a wandering ascetic, peace, despite his physical poverty. This vision awakens the possibility of a life beyond worldly pleasures in Siddhartha. A life dedicated to spiritual practice.

These revelations broke his comfortable world vision. He understood that life was transient and full of sorrow. This feeling became the seed of his spiritual journey.

These moments of realization still guide practitioners today. This is the reason why many people choose to meditate in front of Buddha Thangka or quietly study Buddha to stay connected with his teachings.

The Great Renunciation: Siddhartha Leaves the Palace

Siddharth took a life-conversion decision, haunted by four sites. One night, under the cover of darkness, he quietly said goodbye to his sleeping wife and child. He left his family, title, and all physical property behind, mounted his horse, and left the palace.

This moment is known as the Great Sacrifice. It is one of the most intensive events in Buddha's life before enlightenment. It is a symbol of the courageous step in the unknown scope of spiritual discovery from worldly life.

Siddharth exchanged his royal clothes for the ordinary clothes of a monk. He cut his hair; this represents the symbolic work of abandoning pride and ego. Then he set off into the forests of ancient India.

Great renunciation is often a symbol in holy art. Our hand-painted thangka captures this life-changing moment beautifully.

Years of Ascetic Practice: The Search for Liberation

For the next six years, Siddharth Gautam wandered into the plains of India, seeking a way to liberation. He studied under famous spiritual teachers like Alra Kalama and Udaka Ramput and mastered advanced meditation techniques. Nevertheless, he realized that even the highest focus states did not reach a permanent end of grief.

Determined to find the truth, he joined a group of ascetics, who practiced excessive self-service. Siddharth fasted until he became weak and weaker. As ancient texts describe, his body became so weak that you could see his bones through his skin.

Despite pushing his body to its extent, Siddharth did not find the enlightenment he had asked for. He felt that there was no extreme ascetic way. Consequently, this insight became the foundation of that which he later taught as the Middle Way—a balanced path between indulgence and self-mortification.

This is why there is a balance in the root of Buddhist practice. We are often reminded of this balance when we sit before a Buddha thangka or gaze at sacred art.

Explore our Life of Buddha Thangka. This Thangka captures the essence of major events of Buddha's life—handcrafted at Buddha’s Art of Healing.

The Turning Point: Accepting the Rice Milk

One day, as Siddhartha sat near the banks of the Nairanjana River, he collapsed from exhaustion. A kind village woman named Sujata offered him a bowl of rice milk, which he accepted. This simple act of nourishment revived him, and he understood that the body must be cared for, not destroyed, in the pursuit of spiritual awakening.

This moment marked the end of his extreme ascetic practices and the beginning of his final journey toward enlightenment.

Under the Bodhi Tree: On the Brink of Becoming Buddha

With fresh strength, Siddharth traveled to Bodh Gaya, where he meditated under the holy Bodhi tree. He vowed:

"I will not get up until I find the ultimate truth."

At times, he faced his inner fear and temptations, symbols of the hits of the demon. He tried to distract him from his goal. But Siddharth remained stable.

After 49 days of meditation under the Bodhi tree, Siddharth Gautam finally gained the highest knowledge. He became Buddha, "the awakened one". From this moment, he was no longer Siddharth Gautam; he was a Shakyamuni Buddha.

Summary: The Journey of Buddha Before Enlightenment

Why This Story Matters Today?

Prior to enlightenment, Buddha's life teaches us about the courage to question the meaning of life. This reminds us that wealth, comfort, and status are not the ultimate goals of survival. 

His journey shows that awakening comes from compassion, balance, and internal investigation—not refusal.

His story is not only about religious devotion—it is about universal human discovery for freedom from meaning, inner peace, and sorrow. Before becoming Shakyamuni Buddha, he passed through deep struggle and feeling to make the path clear and accessible for all.

Whether you are praising Buddha's statue, meditating in front of Buddha Thangka, or reflecting on Buddha quotes, remember his early life. We will get connected more deeply with his teachings.

Learn about the Buddha's journey from suffering to enlightenment through our hand-painted Life of Buddha Thangkas. 

Discover more sacred art like Medicine Buddha, Amitabha, and others at Buddha’s Art of Healing

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Was Buddha always a spiritual teacher?

No, Buddha was not always a spiritual teacher. He was born as Prince Siddhartha Gautama. He lived a sheltered and luxurious life, unaware of suffering, until he encountered illness, aging, and death. It was only after these experiences that he left palace life, sought understanding, and eventually became a spiritual teacher who shared the path to enlightenment.

2. Why did Siddhartha Gautama leave his palace?

Siddhartha left his palace in search of truth and the end of human suffering. Despite his wealth and comfort, he was deeply troubled by seeing old age, sickness, and death for the first time. Realizing that worldly pleasures could not prevent suffering, he renounced his royal life to become an ascetic, meditating and seeking liberation for himself and all beings. 

3. What is the Middle Way in Buddhism?

The middle way is the Buddha's teaching of a balanced path between extreme self-indulgence and extreme asceticism. After trying harsh austerities that weakened his body, Siddhartha realized that neither luxury nor severe deprivation leads to enlightenment. The middle way emphasizes moderation, mindfullness, ethical conduct, and meditation, guiding practitioners toward wisdom and liberation. 

Start your journey of reflection. In the art of therapy of Buddha. Explore more Buddha Thangkas at Buddha’s Art of Healing.
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