Buddha 563 – 483BC
Gautama Buddha lived over 2562 years ago as a monk and teacher on which Buddhism has been founded. Born a prince of the Shakya clan in modern day northern India, now Nepal. He became dissatisfied with his life and that of the human condition he left the royal palace in search of truth. After many years practicing with the Meditation masters of the time, learning yoga and other breathing techniques, he still had not discovered the truth he was seeking, leaving these old masters behind he went in search of places of tranquility and seclusion to practice deep meditation. After spending many hours sitting in a one pointed Meditative state for prolonged periods of time Gautama discovered his middle way or the “noble eightfold path” as a way to enlightenment.
For the remaining 45 years of his life the Buddha taught this path, established the Sangha and 100’s of monastery’s through-out his travels through modern day India and Nepal and in so Doing leaving behind a legacy that has endured for over a millennium.