Gautama Buddha Family Tree: The Story Behind The Founder of Buddhism

Siddhartha Gautama (later known as The Buddha), traditionally born c. 563 BCE in Lumbini, Shakya Republic (now Nepal), was the founder of Buddhism — left his royal life at 29 to seek enlightenment; achieved Bodhi (enlightenment) at Bodh Gaya after 6 years; taught for 45 years across northern India. He died c. 483 BCE at Kushinagar at age 80.

The Family's Roots: The Shakya Clan

The Shakya family ruled a small republic (oligarchic kingdom) in the Lumbini-Kapilavastu region of the Himalayan foothills.

His Parents

Father: Suddhodana — King of the Shakyas at Kapilavastu.

Mother: Maya Devi (Mahamaya) — Queen; died 7 days after giving birth to Siddhartha.

His Stepmother / Aunt

Mahapajapati Gotami — Maya Devi's younger sister; Suddhodana's second wife; raised Siddhartha after his mother's death; later became the first Buddhist nun (bhikkhuni) when Siddhartha allowed women to enter the Sangha.

His Half-Brother

Nanda — Siddhartha's younger half-brother (Mahapajapati's son); later a monk.

His Half-Sister

Sundari Nanda — Mahapajapati's daughter; later a nun.

His Wife: Yashodhara

Yashodhara (Bhaddakaccana) — princess; married Siddhartha at 16 (per tradition); after Siddhartha left to seek enlightenment, she eventually entered the Sangha as a bhikkhuni with Mahapajapati.

Their Son

Rahula (c. 534–? BCE) — Siddhartha's son; born on the day Siddhartha left home for enlightenment; later became a monk and one of the Buddha's chief disciples.

His Notable Cousins and Disciples

Ananda — Siddhartha's cousin; the Buddha's chief attendant for 25 years; the primary memoriser of the discourses.

Devadatta — cousin; rival who tried to kill the Buddha and split the Sangha.

Mahanama — cousin.

Anuruddha — cousin; became a chief disciple.

The Shakya / Gautama Family Tree at a Glance

Father: King Suddhodana.

Mother: Maya Devi (Mahamaya) — died 7 days after giving birth.

Stepmother / Aunt: Mahapajapati Gotami — first Buddhist nun.

Half-Brother: Nanda — monk.

Half-Sister: Sundari Nanda — nun.

Wife: Yashodhara — later a bhikkhuni.

Son: Rahula — monk; chief disciple.

Cousins: Ananda (attendant); Devadatta (rival); Mahanama; Anuruddha (disciple).

Gautama Buddha:

  • Born c. 563 BCE, Lumbini (Nepal) — under a sal tree
  • Childhood as crown prince in Kapilavastu
  • At age 29: famously saw the Four Sights (old man, sick man, dead man, ascetic) — and left his royal life
  • 6 years of ascetic search with various teachers including Alara Kalama and Uddaka Ramaputta
  • Enlightenment: at Bodh Gaya, under the Bodhi tree, after 49 days of meditation — became the Buddha
  • First sermon: at the Deer Park, Sarnath — Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta
  • 45 years of teaching across the Magadha and Kosala kingdoms
  • Parinirvana: c. 483 BCE, Kushinagar, age 80 — between two sal trees

What the Shakya Family Story Teaches Us

A king father. A mother who died 7 days after birth. A stepmother who became the first Buddhist nun. A wife and son who both eventually entered the Sangha. Multiple cousins who became disciples — and one cousin who became the Buddha's chief enemy.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Buddha story carries the same lesson. Sometimes the entire family follows the founder's path. The Buddha's mother, wife, son, and multiple cousins all entered Buddhism — and one cousin opposed him.

👉 Start building your family legacy today with Family Root App

📜 Disclaimer The family tree and biographical information provided in this article are based on publicly available historical sources and records. While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee the completeness or authenticity of all data. This content is intended for educational and informational purposes only. If you believe any information is incorrect or wish to request edits or removal, please contact us at Info@familyrootapp.com.