Buddhism FAQ20 Buddha's Family

Buddhism FAQ0 >> 20.Buddha's Wife & Son Rahul? =Buddhism FAQ=

(Frequently Asked Questions About Buddhism)

Why did Buddha abandon his wife & son, what happened to them?
Ans : Prince Siddhartha of Kapilavastu i.e. Buddha did not abandon his wife & son. He left his kingdom for only 6 years for practicing celibacy and meditation in jungle. After his supreme enlightenment, he went back to his kingdom to be reunited with his family. But the difference is this that he continued to practice celibacy & meditation.

Son Rahul : Then he immediately took away his 7 year old son Rahul and ordained him as a young monk. Rahul stayed with him for entire life, he also practiced celibacy & meditation and became enlightened & was recognised as one of the Arahants, a title received by those who achieved supreme enlightenment equal to Buddha. Rahul died(Nirvana) in monastery aged 51 before Buddha.

Wife Yasodara : She is also mentioned as Baddakaccana, Bimbadevi & Rahulmata in Buddhist texts. When father of Buddha, King Suddhodana died(Nirvana), his wife, the aunt & foster mother of Buddha along with Yasodara & many ladies of royal family, left the kingdom & became nuns as students under Buddha. They also followed celibacy & meditation and became supremely enlightened. Yasodara i.e. Rahulmata also achieved great spiritual powers. Similar to Buddha, she could also see unlimited previous lives of herself as well as of any person. She also died in monastery/nunnery prior to Buddha.