nd the Buddha as leaders stems from their environment and the status of society when they were born. The Axial Age was when people sought new answers to solve their religious void stemming from unhappiness with the violence and ruthlessness of society, mostly because of a shift to commerce. Islam and Christianity were restatements of the original Axial impulse (Buddha, 12). Therefore, both Muhammad and Buddha were able to perceive the needs of those around thema skill necessary for the success of any religion or major movementand draw supporters and followers based on the newly-established needs of the recently-transformed society. [Muhammad] had realised, at a more profound level than any of his peersthe root of Meccan malaise (Muhammad, 94). Both were able to provide the solutions to the problems that had been plaguing many people for quite some time. However, to successfully gain followers one must have compelling reason for people to believe you.Muhammad and Buddha both were able to inspire people that their respective religious solution was the legitimate one. There are similarities and differences when it comes to the divine knowledge that each possessed. The source of the knowledge differed. The immediate reaction to the knowledge differed. What each did after gaining knowledge differed. Motivation to preach even differed. That which was used to convert people to followers was different. But the end result was the same: people were drawn to these men and the answers they proffered.As an adult managing his wifes business affairs, Muhammad would often withdraw to a mountain cave outside of Mecca as a spiritual retreat. After having radiant dreams, on the seventeenth night of Ramadan in 610 C.E., Muhammad received his first revelation. The substance of this revelation was that Allah had chosen him as His prophet, or messenger, and that his task was to convey to all of mankind the same message that had been taught by Al...
