Siddhartha Gautama, who later became known as Buddha, was born around 563 BCE in Lumbini, which is now part of modern-day Nepal. He was born into a noble family of the Shakya clan, with his father being King Śuddhodana and his mother Queen Maya. Queen Maya passed away shortly after his birth, and he was raised by his aunt and stepmother, Mahapajapati Gotami.Siddhartha's early life was one of luxury and comfort. His father, King Śuddhodana, wanted to shield him from the harsh realities of life, such as old age, sickness, and death. This led to Siddhartha growing up in a palace environment where he was protected from the outside world. At the age of 16, he married his cousin, Princess Yasodhara, and they had a son named Rahula.Despite his privileged upbringing, Siddhartha was deeply moved by the suffering he witnessed outside the palace walls. This realization prompted him to leave his royal life in search of enlightenment. He renounced
