Gautama Buddha's (563-483 B.C.) real name was Siddhartha, and in later life he was known also as Sakyamuni (Sage of Sakya). Buddha, born in Kapilavastu (Nepal), was the prince of the Sakya kingdom. All records of Buddha's life were written many years after his death by idealizing followers rather than by objective historians. Thus it is very difficult to separate facts from myth and legend. He married at an early age and was indulged in his life as a prince until the age of 29. One day while wandering in the street, he came across an old man, an ailing person and a corpse, and realized the suffering of mankind for the first time in his life. He forsook his wealth, family and power in quest of the truth and is known as the founder of Buddhism.

Gautama Buddha taught the Four Truths and the Eightfold Path