How Did The Buddha Influence World History

When asked to write a report on an individual that influenced world history up until 1500, I knew exactly who to choose, the Buddha. The Buddha contributed to history in many different ways. Not only did he create what is now the fourth largest religion in the world, but he also helped to spread peace throughout the world. Without the Buddha’s influence and the influence of Buddhism, many empires may not have developed the way that they did and many other religions may not have developed at all. The story of the Buddha begins with the birth of Prince Siddhartha Gotama, in Nepal around 586 bce. Siddartha was the son of Sudhodhana Crieftain, the king of the Sakyu tribe. From the very beginning Siddhartha’s parents knew he was going to be special. Before his birth, Siddhartha’s mother, Queen Maya, had a dream that a white elephant had come down from the heavens and entered her body. It was not long after this dream that she learned she was pregnant. Nine months later, Maya’s son was delivered along the side of the road under a tree. Shortly after his birth, a holy man came to visit Siddhartha and told the king that his son would become a great monk and not follow
He quickly realized that not everyone lived a life of luxury like he had. Since he had been safe behind the palace walls for almost all of his life, he did not know the true meaning of death or suffering. Legend states that Siddhartha went into the kingdom three times, and met three different people, a sick man, an old man, and the body of a dead man. (cite relgion book) This was the first time Siddhartha had ever seen any kind of suffering or death. Finally, after seeing the three men he observed a monk mediating peacefully under a tree. It is said that Siddhartha knew right then that he wanted to become a monk. (cite relgion