Glossary Welcome antipodal atom Bach, Johann Sebastian bandwidth Big Bang Theory Buddha Buddhism catalyst cell Church cross-pollinate Dervish Deuter Earth Ekagrata electron epiphanic extrapolate fractal hadith hologram Khan, Hazrat Inayat Khan, Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan, Pir Zia Kirlian photography light year magnetic field maya molecule Mosque n-dimensional Nirvana Nirvitarka peri-personal perspicacity Pir o Murshid quintessence Reincarnation retina Samadhi Satipathana Shabistari, Mahmood stalwart Synagogue transducer Vichara Vitarka wave interference Buddha           Go back Mysticism Born in India in 623 B.C., Siddartha Guatama began his life in sheltered comfort, unacquainted with sorrow and suffering. When the plight of humankind at last became known to him, he became determined to overcome it. Though he lived well with a loving wife and new born son, he left to live as a homeless ascetic. Bent on conquering his body with discipline he studied with Brahmins and practiced Yoga, deprived himself of food and comfort and devoted his concentration to philosophical meditation. After six years of this new life, Guatama was still not free of desire nor the pain that accompanies it. Seated beneath a great fig tree, which came to be known as the Bodhi Tree, with great relolution he confronted his experience of life thus far. Legend has it that here he at last overcame desire and became the Buddha (the enlightened one). He then realized his calling: to teach the way of the middle path, to live in peace with desire, neither indulging nor denying it but overcoming it through non-attatchment. Buddha spent the remainder of his life, some forty-five years, developing, walking and guiding others along this path to enlightenment. Without a written record made in his lifetime, Buddha's teachings passed down to future generations through the memory and lives of his disciples. Buddhism has spread over much of Asia and beyond, affecting the lives of millions and thriving to this day.