Where is Buddha from

“Buddham saranam gacchami…

Dhammam saranam gacchami…

Sangham saranam gacchami…”

— by Ishita Mondal

— Reading Time – 15 Min Approx

These are the very first words that our soul enchants whenever we heard of His name, the great mystic Gautam Buddha. He is that divine spirit who once taught the world the blissful lesson of peace and non-violence. But many a time, the origin of this great sage is put under question. But why? What confuses the people to find the authentic identity of origin of the heavenly spirit, to decide where is Buddha from?

The prolonged cold war of claims and arguments between China and India along with other multiple factors raise doubts over the identity of Buddha. Both of the countries have claimed to own the heritage of Buddha’s birthplace. But, as per the established theories, considering all of the facts and researches, it is said that Buddha is from Lumbini Province, Nepal.

Till now, the age-old answer to the question of where is Buddha from is valid. Whenever the question arises, this very answer becomes the most prominent one. However, every historical fact tends to be re-written or re-modified at any time. It is also no different. So, let’s delve into a more detailed study of this question. Indeed, it will help the readers to clear the doubts to a great extent

A Guide to where is Buddha from – Lumbini

As per the historical documents found till now, it is evident that Goutam Buddha took birth in Lumbini province, Nepal. Lumbini is also known as Rummin-dei. It lies at the northern bank of the Ganges River. Archaeological shreds of evidence like the inscription on the pillar erected by the great emperor Ashoka in 249 BC denote that Buddha was born at the gardens of holy Lumbini.

Lumbini is a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Rupandehi district of Lumbini province. Here, Queen Mahamaya Devi gave birth to little Buddha. This place, in this way, holds a magnetic attraction for tourists and pilgrims from different parts of the world. With an excellent exhibition of old and new temples, monuments, and monasteries, this holy site is a blissful place for any ardent devotee of Buddha.

Even if one is not a follower of Buddhism, this place will surely mesmerize that person with its aura. Considering its rich historical and divine significance, UNESCO has declared it as a World Heritage Site in 1997. The main focal point of the holy Lumbini garden is Mayadevi Temple. The spot also experienced the divine steps of the little Siddhartha (the last name of Buddha, before enlightenment.). As the different scriptures say, reverend Queen Mayadevi bathed in the sacred pond Puskarini at Sal grove in Lumbini garden.

And soon after she took a bath, she gave birth to the little angel, who later preached the sermons of peace to the world. The auspicious day was Baishakhi Purnima, a full moon day in the month of Baishakh. The place is noteworthy to remember for the beautiful monasteries built by the countries like China, Japan, Mayanmar, etc.

More Words on the Holy Birth of Siddhartha Gautam – The Buddha:

Though, after a series of researches, we can say that Buddha lived from the 5^th century to the 4^th century (bce), the exact date is still unclear. The available resources are insufficient to point out the particular period of Lord Buddha. However, in general, historians claim that he lived for nearly 80 years and died at around 400 BCE. They determine the chronologies based on Buddhist legends across the world.

Therefore, if we go by the established theories, Buddha was born in Nepal nearly 2600 years ago. And, later, he came to India, where he attained salvation. After he got enlightened, he gave his sermons that transformed many lives across the world. The teachings of Buddha connected the whole world with one thread-the preaching of Ahimsa.

The Origin and Nature of the Varied Sects of Buddhism:

If we look at the origin of the sects under Buddhism, our area of research about the Buddha’s birthplace gets widened. The significant sects under Buddhism are Hinayana and Mahayana. Hinayana, also known as Theraveda, is practiced primarily in Southeast Asia. The followers of this sect of Buddhism believe in monk’s life and concentrate solely on attaining salvation surpassing the sufferings.

On the other hand, the ones who follow Mahayana treat Buddha or Shakyamuni as a deity. This sect has Bodhisattvas, who were believed to be the enlightened ones who lived to teach mankind the lessons of Buddha throughout their lives. Mahayana Buddhism was majorly spread from India to the different parts of Central Asia.

Thus, since Buddha lived, the sacred thread of Buddhism had undergone many changes and modifications. Different viewpoints emerged, which were followed by sectarian divisions. Hence, finding the exact time and place where Buddha was born becomes more onerous. As a consequence, conflicts influenced by socio-political pressures within a country arise.

Where is Buddha from: A Constant Argument between China and India:

Though we accept Lumbini as an answer to the perennial question “Where is Buddha from”, the battle of arguments between China and India should not be neglected. Who knows, someday, some exciting facts may come up out of these claims? So, an in-depth discussion on it is much needed.

The conflict arises as both of the countries have Buddhist influence within their periphery. From cultural heritage to ethnic foods and clothing, from historical excavations to spiritual presence, both countries are enriched with a wide range of evidence supporting their claims. However, the pieces of evidence are still not enough to justify the origin of Buddhism or the birth of Buddha in any of these provinces.  But, one must not ignore the mysterious doubts that these claims raise regarding the original place where is Buddha from.

If we go back to 2013, a promotional video came on a private Indian news channel portraying that Buddha is born in India. The channel was about to start a new TV series on Buddha’s life and preaching.  Naturally, the Chinese government found it a threat to its ownership of the rich heritage of Buddha’s birthplace. Therefore, they took specific actions to mitigate the issues. They blocked the channel at that time when the show was about to be premiered.

Moreover, to clear all doubts, Nepal circulated a new 100 rupee note with an imprint of “Lumbini, the Birthplace of Buddha”. This somehow ended the Indo-China war of claiming the heritage. Anyways, the issue is not resolved entirely.

Well, we also must ponder over the political aspects of the claims. India tends to use its cultural heritage to surpass China’s ethnic ties with the overseas Chinese individuals in the south-eastern part of Asia. On the other hand, China targets to control the damage done from its repression of religious freedom in Tibet. In this way, the political upheavals propel them to claim to own the original birthplace of Buddha.

The Different Versions of Buddha:

The confusion about where is Buddha from is also heightened with the different concepts of Buddha in other parts of the world.  You can find the semi-historical Chinese monk called Budai, who is often known as “Laughing Buddha” in China. He is widely known as Maitreya Buddha, in Chan Buddhism, a school of Buddhism that spread from China to Korea.

It is said that the monk belonged to the 10^th century. His appearance with ever-smiling face and humorous nature stood apart from most of the Buddhist masters or figures.

However, there remains a lingering confusion whether the Budai is the Buddha or not. It is possible that Buddha may belong to China, but by time, due to the lack of awareness and information, the concept of Him is modified in this way.

Many people often misunderstand the Budha in Hindu astrology as a divine image of Buddha. In reality, as per the research, the Budha is the Sanskrit connotation of the planet Mercury. As per the Hindu Puranic scriptures, Budha is a deity as well.

Due to natural artistic traditions, foreign invasions in ancient times, and many other reasons, the concepts of Buddha and Buddhism have gone through certain modifications. Consequently, different versions of Buddha emerged at different parts of the world. And, thus, it left us wondering where is Buddha from actually.

Where is Buddha from: The Conclusion:

Analysing all of the documents and scriptures, we can conclude that Buddha was born at Lumbini in Nepal and attained enlightenment in India, where he also rested in peace. When he spread his sermons, his divine preaching was embraced wholeheartedly by Chinese people.

Amidst the conflicts, mysteries, and confusions, one factor remains constant. Buddha is a great preacher of the peace who taught people the values of life worldwide – from Nepal to India, China, and other countries. Much research is still needed to ensure the authenticity of his origin. We hope, someday, we will receive more evidence that will put an end to the conflict.

Bottom the Line:

So, here, we shed light on the essential aspects of the very question “Where is Buddha from,” from a study of an established theory to some probable hypothesis. Alongside this, we discussed the other relevant factors that help the readers understand the life and origin of the divine saint. I hope this will guide the readers through the path of knowledge and bliss.

— by Ishita Mondal