... the late 6th century to the early 4th century BC. Spreading from India to Central and Southeast Asia, China, Korea, and Japan, Buddhism has played an influential role in the spiritual, cultural, and social life of much of the Eastern world. The Buddha, which means the "Enlightened One," died in northeastern India between 500 and 350 BC. According to tradition, his ... means "He Who Has Reached His Goal." He was reared in a minor royal family of the ruling Kshatriya, or warrior, caste. Shocked as a young man after wittness by pure accident sickness, old age, and death, he renounced his f...

• Word Count: 361
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... into a wealthy family and his father when he was born went and saw a fortune teller who had told him that his son would either become a world known hero or become a spiritual icon. His father wanted him to become world known so he kept him in the palace and kept him secluded from the world outside. Until one day while in a parade ... outside palace walls he witnessed sickness, old age, and death. These visions shocked him and made him want to become a wandering ascetic out to find the cause of suffering. In the end he did become an ... ...

• Word Count: 748
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School