GAUTAM BUDDHA - PICTORIAL BIOGRAPHY

Gautama Buddha was born in Nepal in the 6th century B.C. He was a spiritual leader and teacher whose life serves as the foundation of the Buddhist religion. During his meditation, all of the answers he had been seeking became clear, and achieved full awareness, thereby becoming Buddha. Gautama is the primary figure in Buddhism. He is recognized by Buddhists as an enlightened or divine teacher who attained full Buddhahood, and shared his insights to help sentient beings end rebirth and suffering. Accounts of his life, discourses, and monastic rules are believed by Buddhists to have been summarized after his death and memorized by his followers. The Buddha is undoubtedly one of the most influential figures in world history, and his teachings have affected everything from a variety of other faiths to literature to philosophy, both within India and the Western world.