Question

The lifetime of Gautam Buddha is written as:
A. 563 BC-483 BC
B. 483BC-563BC
C. 563 BCE-483BCE
D. Both

Answer 1

Hint: Gautam Buddha is the founder of the religion of Buddhism. He was a Hindu Prince who was born in Lumbini in Nepal. CE refers to the Common or Current Era and BCE stands for Before Common or Current Era. BCE is used as a replacement for BC which stands for Before Christ and AD which is Anno Domini which is the Year of the Lord which refers to the birth of Jesus Christ. There is no difference in dating. Therefore 1402 AD and 1402 CE are the same and 5000 BC and 5000 BCE are also the same. Those who are non-Christian use the BCE and CE instead of BC and AD because the former represents the birth of Christ, to whom many of them do not associate themselves.

Complete answer: Siddharth Gautama was a prince of the Shakya clan. He was born in Lumbini in 563 BCE-483BCE. Legends about him tell that he renounced his worldly position and went on to seek the truth. While he was growing up his father sheltered him from all miseries in the world, fearing that otherwise, it might lead his son into religious life. Siddhartha was raised in great luxury. Gautama was married to Yashodhara. When he was 29, he went out in his chariot to look at the kingdom. On his way, he came across an old man, a sick man and a dead man. He was not able to understand what was happening, because he had no idea about misery. His chariot driver explained them to him. In the end, he also had an encounter with a holy man and was amazed as to how someone could remain calm in this miserable world. He decided to find out. Siddhartha left his palace at night. He became ascetic and travelled north and south. He received learning and learnt the art of meditation. He fasted for six years and faced all hardships. At the age of 35, he received ‘enlightenment’ under a Pipal tree in Bodh Gaya and came to be known as ‘Buddha’.
Option A is the correct answer.

Note: In the east the Buddha is portrayed as laughing because it is said that it brings prosperity and happiness. To the Buddhists, Buddha is a teacher and not a God. Buddhism helped the oppressed people in Hinduism to find an alternative and end their suffering since Buddhism did not require any expensive religious practices.