Understanding the Buddha: His Life and Teachings
…ened', thus 'enlightened'.
-- Gotama was 'the Buddha', not just 'Buddha', the historical founder of Buddhism whose teachings, the Dhamma, form its core.
-- The historical Buddha, was born in 623 B.C. as Princ…
Buddha, meaning 'awakened', refers to a fully enlightened being. Gotama was the historical Buddha, born in 623 B.C. as Prince Siddhattha in present-day Nepal. At 29, he renounced royal life in search