- THE LIFE OF THE BUDDHA
- Ministry of Religious Affairs, Myanmar
In his early years the Buddha was known by the name Siddhattha Gotama
(Sanskrit: Siddhartha Gautama) and it was predicted that he would either become a
universal monarch or a great religious teacher. Many wondrous miracles are said to have
accompanied the prince's birth. However, his mother died seven days after he was born and
he was thereafter brought up by Pajapati, his aunt and foster mother. Siddhattha showed
signs of greatness from his early childhood. He was kind, compassionate, and extremely
intelligent. His love was known to extend to all living creatures and his wisdom was
extraordinary. He was, indeed, destined to become a great personality whose life would
affect humanity as a whole.