The Hearth of Buddhism: the Birthplace of Buddha

Buddhism is a global religion practised by millions across the world, but where exactly did it begin; where is the hearth of buddhism? Ann Vrlak traces the origins of the Buddha...

Buddhism is one of the oldest world religions, now practised by over 480 million people. But where did this worldwide spiritual movement begin? 

The hearth of Buddhism

The “hearth” of Buddhism – where it was born and took hold – was on the plains of India’s Ganges river. It began with a man who went on an extraordinary journey that took him from the sheltered life of a prince to the humble life of a wanderer in order to seek enlightenment.

Buddha’s birthplace was a village called Lumbini, in what is now Nepal. As the hearth of Buddhism, Lumbini is now a pilgrimage site for Buddhists everywhere.

He was born Siddhartha Gautama in 563 BC to a wealthy royal family who wanted to keep their beloved son from the harsh realities of life in the Indian sub-continent. Siddhartha’s life was arranged so he would never leave the royal compound that was a haven of luxury and privilege.

Buddhism's hearth was in Lumbini (now Nepal)

Stories vary about how and why Siddhartha went outside the compound one day. But, for the first time, he saw elderly people. He saw people who were sick and suffering. And he saw death.

These realities of human life that had been hidden from him moved him so deeply he renounced his home. Knowing his family would want to stop him, he slipped out of the palace in the middle of the night. He chose to leave the comforts he had always known to find the true causes of human happiness and suffering. 

For six years, Siddhartha wandered through India immersing himself in the religions and philosophies of his time. He became an ascetic: leaving a chosen life of self-discipline, living on as little as possible.

The Birthplace of Buddha: Siddhartha Becomes the Awakened One

After these years of seeking and learning, Siddhartha remained unsatisfied. He knew he had not yet truly understood or lived the experience of freedom spiritual teachers spoke of. 

One day, he told his travelling companions he was going to sit under a pipal tree until he realized enlightenment. In his time, this meant release from the rounds of suffering and happiness that humans experience.

“Buddha’s birthplace was a village called Lumbini, in what is now Nepal. As the hearth of Buddhism, Lumbini is now a pilgrimage site for Buddhists everywhere.”

Siddhartha was true to his word and sat under the tree for 49 days. His friends brought him enough food and water for him to survive. It’s said that during this time his mind threw every kind of temptation at him – from fear to guilt to lust – to force him to give up his quest. But he persevered, until he realized enlightenment. 

Siddhartha became the Buddha, meaning the Awakened One – someone who is awakened to the truth of human existence. And the pipal tree has since been called the Bodhi Tree or “Tree of Awakening.”

Buddhist monk meditating under a tree in Ayutthaya, Thailand

The Core Teachings of Buddha

From that day on, the Buddha’s teaching developed. One of his core philosophies is the Middle Way. He learned from his life as a prince, then his life as an ascetic, that enlightenment would not come from either of these extremes. He talked about the Middle Way to awakening, avoiding both self-gratification and self-mortification.

The Buddha’s teachings remain founded on two doctrines:

• The Four Noble Truths, and
• The Eightfold Path

The Four Noble Truths are the Buddha’s explanation of human suffering and freedom from it. In modern language, “suffering” is often understood as an extreme condition, such as severe illness or living in a war torn country. Buddha included these situations, but most of all he meant the everyday suffering that can create so much mental and emotional turmoil.

These Four Noble Truths are:

• Life involves suffering (anxiety, anger, grief, sadness)
• Suffering is caused by desire (wanting our experience or our life to be other than it is)
• The end of desire is the end of suffering (wisdom and acceptance bring us into alignment with life as it is)
• The Eightfold Path is the way to end desire.

The Eightfold Path gives followers a detailed roadmap to develop these attitudes and skills to end suffering: right understanding, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration.

“The real birthplace of Buddhism was the heart of one man born over 2,500 years ago. A person who voluntarily gave up a life of ease and luxury to find an ultimate understanding of the human condition.”

Collectively, these teachings and others are called the Dharma – the Buddha’s philosophy on how to live a happy, peaceful life. These teachings have become the foundation for the many traditions within Buddhism.

How did Buddha die?

Siddhartha Gautama Buddha is believed to have lived to the age of 80, when he fell ill. By this time, he had travelled much of India and taught his Dharma for 45 years. His illness progressed as he sat outside among the trees, with his devotees. He passed away and attained Parinirvana – the final nirvana upon death.

Statues mark the birthplace of Buddha

In the Maha-parinibbana Sutta: The Last Days of the Buddha, he said to his most loved disciple and friend,  "Therefore, Ananda, be islands unto yourselves…with the Dharma as your island, the Dharma as your refuge, seeking no other refuge.”  He was saying, in part, that no external god [link to do Buddhists believe in god] was needed to awaken – only the practice of the teachings he left behind.

Buddha’s death was the final catalyst for the founding of the various Buddhist traditions. The first Buddhist council was formed to compile and codify his many years of teachings, that spread around the world from the original hearth of Buddhism in Lumbini. 

Takeaway: Buddhism hearth

The real birthplace of Buddhism, one of the world’s largest religions, was the heart of one man born over 2,500 years ago. A person who voluntarily gave up a life of ease and luxury to find an ultimate understanding of the human condition and help others.

His teachings on the nature of suffering and ethical living have profoundly influenced spiritual thought and practice worldwide. The founding principles of the Buddha flourished after his death and informed the diverse traditions of Buddhism. ●
Images: shutterstock/Sombat Muycheen, shutterstock/vectorx2263, shutterstock/Mongkolchom Akesin

Written by Ann Vrlak

Ann Vrlak is Founder of OneSelf Meditation and a meditation practitioner for over 25 years. She’s a Certified Meditation Teacher for adults and for children (the best job ever!). She loves to share how the perspective and practice of meditation can support people with their everyday stresses and on their journey of self-discovery.