The origin of the Buddhist tradition can be traced back to the year 563 BCE, the birth of Siddhartha Gautama. He was the son of a wealthy land owner and destined to be a respected leader of his land. Siddhartha's birth was a mysterious one, he was placed inside of the womb of his mother as a white elephant and born out of her side ten months later. When Siddhartha was an infant, a wise scholar immediately noticed the 32 auspicious signs of an enlightened one. Siddhartha's father, fearful that he would lead the life of an ascetic, rather than a king, endeavored to protect his son from the painful realities of life. He kept Siddhartha confined to the grounds of his estate, far away from pain, old age, death and tragedy. On three occasions, though, Siddhartha managed to leave the confines of the estate and witnessed several scenes that changed the meaning of his existence. He saw an old man, a sick woman, and a corpse being burned during a Ghat ceremony. He was troubled by these images, but did not understand his calling until he saw a Jain ascetic begging for alms in the city square. It was then that he realized that there was meaning beyond physical existence. He gave up all of his worldly goods and left his family in search of enlightenment. Siddhartha studied under many religious teachers and ascetics, never finding the answers that he needed. He tried fasting, severe hardship, and marathon meditation but none were able to bring him any solace. Finally, he realized that enduring harsh conditions would end his life before he could find the answers he so eagerly sought. He then discovered the middle path, the way of moderation. It was through this method that he attained Buddhahood, or perfect enlightenment. Buddha then endeavored to share his wisdom with all those around him. He traveled all through what is present day India and Nepal preaching and educating others about the middle path. He created a theology based on moderation and the necessity of separation between physical and spiritual existence. He taught that the body and the physical trappings of life were merely distractions from true enlightenment. This world, or Samsara, was an illusion designed by Mara an evil spirit that tries to keep souls away from wisdom and the Dharma ( teachings of the Buddha). In general, Buddhism is a practice of finding peace within oneself. It is a religion formulated to win happiness during the present life as well as in the next. Through the influence of Karma, the mechanism that determines how a person's acts will impact their next incarnation, Buddhists practice finding the good within everything. Their desire is to live happily, not harming others, working towards their ultimate goal of enlightenment. Buddhism acts as a philosophy that regulates a persons place in the world, and the universe. When we look at Buddhism in the West, we tend to see it as resembling psychology more so than a religion, with it's hands on approach towards undesratnding the self and suffering.
