Throughout history there have been hundreds of influential figures. Some are well-known for their charitableness or kindness, or for their supreme knowledge which contributed to the growth of humanity. Others are noted for their religious, literary, or cultural contributions to the world. Yet very few are known as all of these. One figure in particular could be called not only a religious founder, but a humanitarian and a philosopher as well. This is Siddharta Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha. Born in about 563 B.C.E. in the Indian Subcontinent, the Gautama Buddha founded a well-known religion and proved to be an extremely influential figure whose traditions and beliefs are held in high regards today. Without the unique teachings of the Gautama Buddha, the world would be different for people of all practices, for in the path of this one great man were many more who helped to pass down and spread his beliefs across many cultures.

up in Kapilavastu, now known as Padeira, Gautama led an indulged life under the care of his maternal aunt and father. No pains were spared to make the course of his life smooth. At the age of sixteen he was married; his wife bore a son several years later. For twenty-five years Gautama was sheltered from the suffering of mankind. Yet one day he left the palace and immediately saw an aged man, a sick man, and a corpse by the roadside. Shocked by his first experience with sadness, the prince lost all joy in living. At the age of twenty- nine Gautama left his sleeping wife and son and rode away into the forest, impelled by a strong desire to find the origin of pain and suffering of mankind. This was known as the Night of the Great Renunciation. At first Gautama experimented with a life of ascetism, but found no solace in harsh penances. Finally he retired to the Bo tree, under which he sat for forty-nine days. As he meditated in solitude he experienced a spiritual awakening, known as "the enlightenment." He devoted the rest of his many years to the spread of his practices and ideas to better the lives of people everywhere.

Modern-day Buddhism is still very much alive and growing. In the East Buddhists have had to battle with communism and imperialism, but in the long run has overcome these threats. The most damage to Buddhism was done in Tibet, where the Chinese Communist occupation almost wiped out the spiritual and cultural basis of Tibetan culture. In Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Nepal and Mongolia Buddhism is still a strong force. In the West Buddhism is kept alive by the descendants of 19th- century immigrants, and anyone else who may have found truth in the teachings of Gautama. There are currently Buddhist communities all over the United States, with all sects of Buddhism being represented. The fastest growing schools in the U.S. are Zen and Tibetan Buddhism, both a variation of the Mahayana school. Many Westerners are so interested in Buddhism that they are becoming Buddhist teachers themselves. In the U.S. Buddhism is being modified to fit 20th- century American ideas and culture.

Buddha was said to be a kind, humble, charismatic and magnetic person. This is demonstrated by the fact that throughout his life, he and his followers lived off of the food and drink that was offered to them by townspeople as they walked through the villages. Never did Buddha farm or purchase his own food, but he always accepted what was offered to him. This was probably very helpful to his cause because he was able to spread his ideas and live comfortably while mingling with all different types of people. He was also very approachable, for he was a man who never claimed to be more than a man, and whose teachings were rooted in ideas of kindness and love towards everyone and everything. Furthermore this magnetism, the quality that drew other people to him, could be one of the reasons for the spread of Buddhism during Gautama's lifetime. One instance where the quality of a "charismatic leader" came into effect was when the Buddha was returning from the Bo tree and was on his way to the city of Benares to preach his first sermon. On the way he met five of his former companions in the Deer Park, whom he had renounced along with ascetic practices. "When these five saw... the Buddha coming towards them, they agreed... not to

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