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Shakyamuni Buddha

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Shakyamuni Buddha
(tib.: Shakya Thubpa) Shakyamuni Buddha (563-483 BC) was an Indian prince, born to queen Mahamaya and king Shudhodana, belonging to the Shakya clan in northern India. Before he became enlightened his name was Prince Siddharta. He had a very nice life as a prince, full of luxuries, he married a beautiful woman called Yasodhara and they had a son, whom they named Rahula. But at the age of 29 when he was travelling outside the palace, Prince Siddharta saw a sick man, an old man, a corpse and a spiritual seeker. Accustomed to the pleasures of the royal life, he was struck when he saw how much suffering exists in this world and he decided that he will find a way to stop all suffering. Therefore he renounced his royal life and became an ascetic and engaged in very austere practices, but after six years he realized that this is not the path to liberation. He walked to Bodhgaya, sat down under a tree and meditated until he became fully enlightened. Then he began teaching and turned the wheel of Dharma three times and continued to teach until his passing in parinirvana at the age of 80 in Kushinagar.
 
He is the fourth of the one thousand Buddhas of this fortunate eon.

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"When I talk of being detached, what I mean is to be simpler, more easy-going. Detachment doesn't mean totally renouncing everything. It means that you loosen your grip and be more relaxed."
- Lama Yeshe

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