NEW QUESTIONS AND IDEAS
Siddhartha Gautama was born around 2500 years ago during a time of socio-political change. This era saw the rise of powerful kings and the emergence of new cities, marking significant shifts in urban and rural lifestyles.
Gautama belonged to the Sakya gana (clan) and was of the Kshatriya (warrior) caste.
Despite being born into luxury and comfort, Siddhartha was moved by the suffering he saw in the world. He decided to renounce his princely life in search of deeper knowledge and understanding.
He became an ascetic and travelled extensively, engaging in discussions with various thinkers and philosophers of his time.