The child was given the name of Siddhartha, which means "He who has attained his aim".

Surrounded by the careful concern of a loving father and mother, the Prince grew into a strong and skillful young man besting all others in the kingdom.  A the age of nineteen, he married the beautiful Yashodara and soon became the father of a son. But his courtly life seemed to be empty and family concerns seemed to weigh heavy on him for he named his son Rahula, "The Fetter".

The despair that Prince Siddhartha felt soon drove the young Prince out into the world to seek the Light of Truth.  He left home and family at the age of 29 years and resolved to find freedom for himself and all others who suffered the sorrows of Life and Death.

For six years, he studied with various ascetics and wise men learning from each the different systems of freedom they offered. He underwent severe ascetic practices both physically and mentally but finally concluded that asceticism, like luxury and self-indulgence, lead nowhere. The truest path to the freedom of complete Enlightenment, he found lay in the patient and systematic examination of all aspects of life, and discovering the true cause of one's suffering and sorrow.

Quietly meditating under the Bodhi Tree he came to a deep spiritual insight into the nature of suffering.  When the day ended Siddhartha attained Enlightenment; the wisdom eye of the Bodhi had opened, and he became Buddha, "The Awakened One". All through the night that followed he saw causes and the cure for Birth, Death, Pain and Suffering.

The Buddha spent forty-five years teaching his awareness to other with warmth, wit and great compassion.  Finally at the age of eighty, he passed peacefully away leaving his disciples with the Dharma, or Teachings, to be their guide.

So great has been the influence of this Dharma that today it is estimated that 1/3 of humanity pays homage to his Noble Teachings.