Everyone knows Batman's comic book origins, but Bruce's journey from spoiled child to Dark Knight actually mirrors the path of the Buddha.

Batman has one of the best-known origins in superhero lore. Thanks to multiple film adaptations, comic book stories, and television shows, fans have seen how the tragic murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne led young Bruce Wayne to study under different masters before finally claiming the mantle of the Batman and developing his own unique brand of justice.

What is not so commonly known is that Bruces origin story has some remarkable similarities to another legendary figure the Buddha. While it might seem unlikely that a dark avenger like Batman could have anything in common with a spiritual teacher like the Buddha, the similarities in their stories have not gone unnoticed by Batmans writers or even Bruce Wayne himself.

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Historians and scholars believe that Buddha was likely born in the 6th century in the region known today as Nepal. Born Siddhartha Gautama (translated as he who achieves his aim), the future Buddha was a prince with a very wealthy father who ruled the Shakya clan. Although Siddharthas mother died seven days after his birth, his father decided to shelter his son from all human misery and suffering by raising him in a palace built just for the boy.

Not only was this palace extremely beautiful, Siddharthas father made sure that it was only populated by young and beautiful people, that any sick people were kept from Siddharthas sight, and that his son would never see any dead human or creature. Siddhartha was also never instructed in religion or human hardship, keeping him ignorant of old age, sickness, and even death. Siddhartha lived a life of luxury well into his adulthood, even marrying a princess and raising a son. However, upon reaching adulthood, he finally took a ride outside of his palace and came across an old man, a sick man, and a corpse. When his driver explained to him what all of these things were, Siddhartha was overcome by the experience and resolved to leave his palace and find a way to relieve humanity of this suffering.

His search led him to study under many teachers from different spiritual schools. A brilliant scholar, he learned quickly and meditated for long periods of time, hoping to find enlightenment. When this didnt produce the results he wanted, he decided to endure great pain and suffering, fasting and even refusing water until his body became so skinny that he resembled a corpse.

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Siddhartha finally achieved the insight he desired when a young girl offered him some rice. Suddenly realizing that living in extreme luxury and living in extreme poverty were both the wrong ways to achieve liberation, he ate the rice, recovered his health, and meditated for a long period of time before finally achieving the enlightenment that allowed him to become the Buddha. Now a spiritual teacher, Buddha encouraged his followers to follow The Middle Way which offered a more balanced path than one of overindulgence or extreme suffering. His teachings became known as the Dharma and he emphasized to his disciples that they should follow no leader but instead, be your own light.

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Batman: Bruce Wayne Has The Same Origin Story as The Buddha - Screen Rant