The founder, Prince Siddhattha Gotama, who became the Buddha, was born heir-apparent to the Sakyan royal family during the year 623 BC at Lumbini in Southern Nepal.

The young prince Siddhattha was confronted with the reality of life and the suffering of mankind and decided to find the solution- the way out of this universal suffering.

At the age of 29, he left his kingdom and became an ascetic in search of a way to the end this suffering. For six years, ascetic Gotama wandered and practiced extreme austerities that caused him to become physically very weak; and he began to realized that the answer to his searches lay not in the extreme austerities of others but in his own experience.

On a Vesak full moon night, at the age of 35, ascetic Gotama, while in deep meditation beneath a Bodhi tree, attained a state of enlightenment that enabled him to comprehend the true nature of life. This unique achievement eventually led him to be called the Buddha, which literally means "The Awakened One."

After his Enlightenment, Gotama the Buddha, with his great compassion and wisdom walked on the dusty paths of India teaching the Dhamma (teachings) so that those who heard and practiced could be ennobled and free.

After forty-five years of ministry, the Buddha passed away or entered into Parinibbana- the great passing away of body and mind at the age of eighty in Kusinara.

The Doctrines
The collection of Buddha* teachings is known as Tri-pitaka and the language used was Pali. The Tri-pitaka consists of:

• Sutta ~the conventional teachings on how to lead a noble life
• Vinaya~the disciplinary code for those who have renounced the worldly life
• Abhidhamma~moral psychology.

The core of Buddhism is contained within the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path taught by the Buddha can be summarized into the practice of Sila (morality), Samadhi (concentration) and Panna (wisdom).

The Four Noble Truths looks at things objectively by seeing its impermanent nature with the knowledge of whatever that is subject to origination is subject also to destruction. Change is the very constituent of reality.

• The Noble Truth of Dukkha (suffering)
• The Noble Truth of the Cause of Dukkha
• The Noble Truth of the End of Dukkha
• The Noble Truth of the Path leading to the cessation of Dukkha - Which is the Noble Eightfold Path.

The Noble Eightfold Path or The Middle Way is the path for leading a religious life avoiding indulgence in the two extremes of sensual pleasures and self-mortification.

• Right Understanding (samma ditthi)
• Right thoughts (samma samkappa)
• Right Speech (samma vaca)
• Right Action (samma kammanta)
• Right Livelihood (samma ajiva)
• Right Effort (samma vayama)
• Right Mindfulness (samma sati)
• Right Concentration (samma samadhi)

The other doctrines include the teachings on Kamma, Rebirth, The Law of Dependent Origination, Nibbana are as important as it teaches one to develop one's mind so that one finally sees life as it really is and that there is a way to end all suffering and attain supreme happiness.

The Aims of Buddha's Teaching
Buddha's teachings contributed to the maintenance of a peaceful, healthy religious atmosphere amongst different religious groups and races. It reminds us of the true human values that are universal in nature to be cultivated and promoted for the development of the positive human character which is essential for the welfare of the world, its peace, stability and harmony.

Loving kindness or Metta mediation for example promotes non-violence. The foundation of the Buddhist path recognises that all living beings are equal and that all living beings, men and animals alike share a common environment. If men want to live happily in this world, they must have concern for the welfare of others. Indeed, violence in any form or under any pretexts whatsoever is absolutely prohibited by the teaching of the Buddha.

Buddhism is for humanity. It recognizes that as human beings, it is our duty to perform some service to others by practicing generosity, kindness and giving a helping hand to others who need our support to rid themselves of grievances, worries and problems. By rendering selfless service to others, not only do we bring benefits to others; we reduce our selfishness as well. It is only through overcoming selfishness and developing goodwill, understanding and benevolence will one obtain happiness and contentment in life.

In the intellectual aspect, the spirit of free inquiry in Kalama Sutta is an important feature of Buddhism. In this discourse given by the Buddha to the Brahmin in Kalamas at Kesaputta, the Buddha gave prominence to and encouraged the spirit of free inquiry and independence of thought and action, subject to sound judgement.

Buddhism places heavy emphasis on practice. Sila or moral conduct is the principle of human behaviour that promotes orderly and peaceful existence in a community.

There are five moral principles or precepts for Buddhists to observe in their daily life and they are: abstaining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, telling lies and taking intoxicating drugs and liquor. These precepts are training rules voluntarily undertaken by the individual to help him lead a harmless life, a life filled with compassion, generosity, contentment, truthfulness and mindfulness.

The Significance Of Vesak Day
This is an important day in the Buddhist tradition, for it was on this day that the Buddha was born and 35 years later awoke to the unexcelled right self-awakening and another 45 years later passed away into total Nibbana or the great passing away of mind and body.

On this important day, Buddhists take the opportunity to pay homage to the Buddha as a way of expressing their gratitude for his goodness. Buddhists lay down their daily affairs to perform merit by way of practicing generosity, observing precepts and listening to the Dhamma at the temple. This is known as paying homage to the virtues of the Triple Gem: the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.

Although Buddhism originated in India and many Buddhist practices were nurtured according to Indian traditions and environment. Despite its place of origin, the Dhamma or sublime Teaching that the Buddha expounded is timeless and is meant for all mankind. The essence of the Buddha's Teaching is unalterable and constant and it transcend all national, racial and cultural barriers. The Buddha has said:

The Dhamma is not a set of teachings for us to accept and believe in, but to try out and see for ourselves. Our Enlightened Master himself said: "Ehipassiko" ~that is "come and see!". It is through the practice of Dhamma that the real Buddha can be known.