The Path to Enlightenment
An overview of Siddhartha Gautama's journey to becoming the Buddha and his core teachings.
Circa 563 BCE
Buddha
Siddhartha Gautama, The Enlightened One, Shakyamuni Buddha
Essence of the Avatar
Purpose of Incarnation
To teach the path to enlightenment and liberation from suffering, often interpreted as deluding the demonic from Vedic rituals and promoting non-violence.
Symbolic Meaning
- Path of Ahimsa (Non-violence)
- Spiritual realization through inner practice
- Challenging of external ritualism
- The importance of compassion (Karuna) and wisdom (Prajna)
Stories, Events & Teachings
Key Events
Renounced his palace at age 29 to seek the cause of suffering.
Attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya.
Delivered his first sermon at Sarnath, establishing the Dharma.
Founded the Sangha (monastic community) and spread teachings on the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path.
Stories & Leelas
Vishnu's Incarnation as Buddha: Interpretations
Explore the Puranic perspective on Buddha as an avatar of Vishnu, often seen as appearing to guide or mislead beings based on context.
Teachings
The Four Noble Truths
The Eightfold Path
Compassion for all beings (Karuna)
Mindfulness and meditation
Scriptural Quotes
"Conquer anger with non-anger. Conquer evil with good. Conquer the stingy with giving. Conquer the liar with truth."
"Then, at the beginning of Kali Yuga, to delude the enemies of the gods, He will be born as Buddha, son of Anjana, in the Kīkaṭa region."
Quick Facts
Category: Dashavatara (#9)
Era: Circa 563 BCE
Place: Lumbini (present-day Nepal)
Appearance: A serene monk in monastic robes, often seated in meditation or teaching posture (Golden complexion)
Associates: Lord Vishnu, Maitreya (Future Buddha), Avalokiteshvara
Asuras Defeated: Internal demons of desire, hatred, and ignorance
Festivals: Buddha Purnima (Vesak)
No specific stotras currently linked to Buddha.
Scriptural References:
- Bhagavata Purana (1.3.24)
- Agni Purana
tataḥ kalau sampravṛtte sammohāya sura-dviṣām | buddho nāmnāñjana-sutaḥ kīkaṭeṣu bhaviṣyati ||