Buddhism began with a man called Siddartha Gotama who lived nearly 2500 years ago. He was a famous teacher and he preached against war and class, helping people whether they were rich or poor. He made peace between people and did his best to help people who were unhappy or suffering in their minds. .
Gotama taught people to look at the results of their thoughts and actions. He showed them that if they acted wisely and well they could live happier lives. Men and women who continue to follow Gotama's teaching and example are called Buddhists.
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The Life of the Buddha.
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Many legends surround the Buddha's birth. It is said that the earth was flooded with light and the blind were able to see; the lame walked and the prisoners were freed from their chains. .
Stories are told that the baby, Siddartha Gotama, was born 2500 years ago. He was the son of King Sudhodana, the ruler of a small kingdom in north-east India, near the country that is today called Nepal. The people he ruled were known as the Shakyas. .
Fortune tellers told the King what the future held for his son. They all agreed that if Gotama stayed in the world he would become a great emperor, ruler of all India but if he decided to lead a holy life he would not become an emperor. The King wanted his son to be the Emperor and so gave him everything he wanted to keep him happy. .
When Gotama was a young man he married his cousin and in time they had a baby son. Although he loved his wife and son, he was bored with having to stay in the palace all the time. All the riches he had meant nothing to him. He wanted to find out more about life. .
The fortune tellers had told the King not to let Gotama see an old man, a sick man or a dead man. So the King had ordered that the old, sick and dead should not be allowed near the prince. .
One day when Gotama was out in his chariot he saw a hobbling old man. He asked his charioteer about this and he said that old age comes to everyone.