Śuddhodana

Suddhodana (Sanskrit: Śuddhodana) was the father of Gautama Buddha. He was a leader of the Shakya, who lived in Kapilavastu.

Family

Suddhodana’s father was Sihahanu while his mother was Kaccanā. Śuddhodana's son, Siddhartha Gautama (who became known as Shakyamuni, the "Sage of the Shakyans," or the Buddha), married his cousin Yasodharā, daughter of Suppabuddha and his father’s sister, at the age of 16.

Suddhodana’s consorts, Maya and Mahapajapati Gotami, were Buddha’s mother and stepmother.

Other children of Suddhodana include Nandā and Nanda, both of who became Buddhist monastics.

Biography

Birth of the Buddha

Siddhartha Gautama was born in the Shakya capital of Kapilavastu. Siddhartha renounced his family in his 20s, leaving behind a wife and an infant to become a śramaṇa.

Later life

Suddhodana lamented his son’s departure and spent considerable effort attempting to locate him. Seven years later, after word of his enlightenment reached Suddhodana, he sent nine emissaries to invite Siddhartha back to the Shakya land. The Buddha preached to the emissaries and their entourage, who joined the Sangha.