Buddha was born to a royal family in Lumbini, Nepal around 2,500 years ago. His father Suddhodana Gomata was a Kshatriya king who ruled over the land of the Sâkyans at Kapilavatthu on the Nepalese frontier. Mahamaya, the princess of Koliyas was Buddha's mother.

On a full moon day in 623 BC, Queen Mahamaya was traveling to Devadaha, her parental home to give birth to her child. However, the child was born when she was halfway between the two cities in Lumbini (100 miles north of Varanasi). 316 years after this incident, Emperor Ashoka erected a massive stone pillar to mark this holy spot where Prince Siddharta, the future Buddha was born. The mighty column can still be seen at the place.

On the fifth day after the birth of the prince, Suddhodana summoned eight wise men to choose a name for the child and to speak about his future. The child was named Siddhârtha that literally translates as one whose purpose has been achieved. After some deliberation the wise men declared that the prince would either become a great king or a famous spiritual teacher.

Queen Mahamaya passed away on the seventh day after the birth of her child. As a result, the young prince was nursed by his mother's sister, Pajâpati Gotami. Surrounded by luxury and abundance, Prince Siddharta always led a sheltered life as Suddhodana wanted to keep him away from everything that would incline him towards spiritualism. Siddharta soon proved himself to be an excellent sportsman and learner. He soon became very well versed in various branches of knowledge. Nevertheless, from his childhood the prince was given to serious contemplation. Soon enough at the age of 29, when he discovered the true nature of suffering, old age and disease, he gave up all his material luxuries and bonds to embark on a quest for the eternal truth.