Siddhartha and Jesus: Comparisons and Contrast Many people alive and dead can say they have had a major impact on the world. Figures such as George Washington helped secure the United States independence from England. Thus, he will be recorded in every American history book, making him infamous to all to all Americans. King Henry VIII had multiple wives, and due to his dissatisfaction with his first wife; he created the Church of England to be free from Catholicism. However, these two men don’t quite size up to two great men; Siddhartha and Jesus. Both are responsible for popular religious beliefs that billions around the world actively practice to this day. To understand why billions of people follow the teachings of these men, their lives and …show more content…
from the Himalayas which is now called Nepal. Siddhartha was raised by his father (Suddhodana) because his mother died while giving birth to him. Though, soon after Siddhartha was born an oracle predicted to Suddhodana that his son Siddhartha would be great in either religion or politics. Suddhodana was determined to raise a great military leader rather than a religious one. Due to the oracle's prophecy, Suddhodana made sure Siddhartha experienced no dissatisfaction. Thus, Siddhartha lived a very sheltered life in a palace where he had no wants or needs (Prothero). When Siddhartha became a young man with a family and no wants or needs, he became self-aware. Siddhartha began to wonder about his origin and ask his father to see the real world (Prothero). Suddhodana reluctantly agrees and sends him on a tour outside the palace. While on tour Siddhartha learns of sickness, old age, and death. Siddhartha is saddened to learn that everyone must go through these stages in life. At this point, Siddhartha adopts the concept that life is suffering. Siddhartha also learns of a sannyasin who is a person wandering life searching for spiritual liberation