Twelve Stages of the Buddha's Life

More than 2,500 years ago, a man decided to find out why there is suffering, and how to overcome it. He succeeded, and became known as "The Buddha," which means, "One who is awake."

Over the centuries, many details of his life and his teachings have been lost, distorted, or confused. Yet by comparing what remains with the teachings given by other men and women who reached similar development, his full teachings become very evident.

The Buddha—also known as Gautama Shakyamuni—did not intend to start a religion or to gather worshippers: he only wanted to demonstrate to all beings how they themselves must work to escape suffering. This is the essence of Gnosis: authentic knowledge that is acquired by one's own efforts.

“I cannot pull someone from the hell realm and carry them to nirvana. Leaving samsara, attaining nirvana or buddhahood, depends on your own efforts. You cannot rely on anyone - not the guru, or the Buddha and bodhisattvas.” – The 14th Dalai Lama

Many biographers have presented his life story with twelve essential stages. The twelve stages of the life of Buddha have deep symbolic importance that has rarely been revealed. By comparing these twelve stages with the esoteric knowledge of Kabbalah and Tarot, the meanings of the events of the life of Buddha Shakyamuni are made brilliantly clear.

Twelve Stages of the Life of Buddha Shakyamuni