Buddhism FAQ0 >> 20.Buddha's Wife & Son Rahul?
Buddhism FAQ[]
(Frequently Asked Questions About Buddhism)
20. 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.
Buddha returns to his father's Kingdom, link : Returns_to_Father's_Kingdom
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.
Links:
Apadana2#His_Son_Rahul_is_Born
Apadana3.2
Mahavogga 1.54
Thera 4.8: Rahula
Maha-Rahulovada_Sutta
Cula_Rahulovada_Sutta
Ambalatthika-Rahulovada Sutta
SUTTA-NIPATA 2.11
SN2-version2:Sutta 188-201 - Discourses to son Rahul(RahulaSamyutta 18)
SN3-version2:Sutta 91,92 - Discourses to son Rahul
SN4-version2:Sutta 121 - Discourse to son Rahul
AN4.The Book of Fours-ver2 : Sutta 177 - Discourse to son Rahul
Wife of Lord Buddha : She is also mentioned as Yasodhara, Yasovati, Bhaddakaccana , Bimbadevi & Rahulmata in Buddhist texts. When father of Buddha, King Suddhodana died(Nirvana), his wife Prajapati Gotami, the aunt & foster mother of Buddha, along with Yasodara & many ladies of royal family, left the kingdom & became nuns as students under Buddha (after installing a Gotami's son as heir). 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(nirvana) in monastery/nunnery at 70 years of age, 10 years prior to Buddha.
Links:
Yasodhara-Wife-of-Lord-Buddha or Apadana4.1-Theris : Yasodara at no. 28
Canda-Kinnara-Jātaka
Vessantara-Jataka
Kuṇāla-Jātaka
Abbhantara-Jātaka
Supatta-Jātaka
See Also: Therigatha6.6 - Mother Pajapati Gotami; (also Apadana 4-1-17)
Conclusion : Buddha left his family only for a short period, similar to any person who goes to foreign lands for learning or for employment. After enlightenment of Buddha, they were united , also they all achieved the supreme divine state. Thus their family is considered as most sacred by the Buddhists along with the Arahants.