; It was always the same yet every moment it wasnew"(Hesse pg.83). Breaking this cycle was the main goal of the Buddha. This has beenthe way of thinking in Buddhism, since its beginning."Buddhism emerged in India more than 2.5 thousand years ago as a religious andphilosophical teaching"(Buddhism pg.1). In fact "Buddhism is the most ancient of thefour world religions"(Buddhism pg.1). They have many followers. Although an exactnumber cannot be calculated, for various reasons, "one can speak of approximately 400billion lay practitioners and 1 billion Buddhist monks and nuns in the world"(Buddhismpg.1). Buddhism was not started by the first Buddha, for " there have been manyBuddha"(Buddhist Basics pg.1), but by the historical Buddha.Siddartha fasting as a Samana."The historical Buddha was born in approximately 563 B.C.E. in NorthernIndia"(Who is Buddha pg.1). His birth took place "in the towm of Kapilavastu (located intoday's Nepal)"(Introduction to Buddhism pg.2). He was named " Siddartha, whichmeans 'he whose aim is accomplished'"(Introduction to Buddhism pg.2). "Siddartha'sparents were King Shuddhodana and Queen Maya, who ruled the Sakyas"(Introduction toBuddhism pg. 2). Being the historical Buddha, "his compassion and patience werelegendary"(What is Buddhism pg. 3). He "is seen as a timeless mirror of mind's inherentpotential"(Who is Buddha pg.1). "His teaching make being fearless, joyful, andkind"(Who is Buddha pg 1). Although Buddha felt that "nobody finds salvation throughteachings"(Buddhism FAQ's pg.1), he did have "Dharma, the teachings of the Buddha; thelaw of the Buddha"(FAQ'S pg.1). Because of the way he felt about teachings, "Buddhastrongly encouraged his followers to 'be a lamp unto themselves' and put his teachings to atest"(Buddhist Basics pg.2). His Dharma consisted of The Four Noble Truths and TheEightfold Path. "These are the central teachings of the Buddha"(Tokyo n.pag.).Anuradhapura, Sri LankaThe First N...
