Shakya

The words "Bu-dhe" and "Sa-kya-mu-nī" (Sage of the "Shakyas") in Brahmi script, on Ashoka's Rummindei Minor Pillar Edict (circa 250 BCE).

The Shakya (Skt. Śākya; P. Sākiya; T. shA kya ཤཱ་ཀྱ་; C. shijia) were an ancient India tribe that inhabited an area near the border of present-day Nepal and India, in the foothills of the Himalayas.

According to tradition, the Siddhartha Gautama, the future Buddha, was born into the Shakya tribe. His father was Śuddhodana, the ruler of the Shakyas, and his mother was Maya. Siddhartha Guatama was raised in Kapilavastu, the capital city of the Shakya tribe, living there until he was 29 years of age, when he left his home to begin his spiritual quest. After attaining enlightenment, the Buddha returned to Kapilavastu and taught the dharma to his family and relatives.

Siddhartha was known in his lifetime as "Siddhartha Gautama" and "Shakyamuni" (Sage of the Shakyas).