Traditional belief is that he was born a prince in Lumbinī, Nepal in the
Terai lowlands near the foothills of the Himalayas. However,
considerable archeological evidence now shows that he may have been
born in Kalinga, now Orissa in India. He was a member of the Śakyas
clan. His father, Suddhodana, was king of the clan. His mother was
named Maya.
There is no consensus on the date of his birth. Modern Buddhists of the
Theravada tradition suggest he was born in 623 or 624 BCE. Until
recently, many religious historians have preferred birth dates ranging from 567 to 487 BCE. Various
modern scholars have suggested dates from 420 to 502 BCE. In short, nobody really knows.
In common with many other great religious leaders, many miraculous stories were associated with his
birth. He emerged from his mother's side without causing her any pain. The earth shook as he was born.
As a newborn, he was miraculously showered with water. He stood up, took seven steps, announced
that he would be the "chief of the world." He also stated that this would be his last reincarnation.
He was given the name Siddhartha Gautama. Siddhartha means "one who has achieved his aim."
Gautama was his clan name. He was sometimes referred to as Śakyamuni which means "the sage of the
Śakyas." He may have been born into the second of the four Indian castes, the aristocratic warrior caste
called Kşatriyas.