Prominent Religious FiguresProminent Religious Figures

Buddha, Jesus, and MuhammadBuddha, Jesus, and Muhammad

Gautama Buddha, Founder of Gautama Buddha, Founder of BuddhismBuddhism

Born approximately 563 B.C. in Lumbini (today Born approximately 563 B.C. in Lumbini (today known as Nepal)known as Nepal)

Buddha means ‘awakened one’ or ‘enlightened Buddha means ‘awakened one’ or ‘enlightened one’one’

Born to King Suddhodana, leader of the Shakya Born to King Suddhodana, leader of the Shakya clan, and Queen Maha Maya, a Koliyan princessclan, and Queen Maha Maya, a Koliyan princess

He was meant to be a great king, so his father He was meant to be a great king, so his father shielded him from religious teachings and any shielded him from religious teachings and any knowledge of human sufferingknowledge of human suffering

After an arranged marriage and a life of Splendor, After an arranged marriage and a life of Splendor, Buddha felt that material wealth was not life’s Buddha felt that material wealth was not life’s ultimate goalultimate goal

He left the palace one day to find an aging man, a He left the palace one day to find an aging man, a diseased man, and a decaying corpse – this led diseased man, and a decaying corpse – this led him to the life of asceticism to find a way to him to the life of asceticism to find a way to overcome these thingsovercome these things

Soon he had an awakening where he found the Soon he had an awakening where he found the ‘Four Noble Truths’ to achieve a state of supreme ‘Four Noble Truths’ to achieve a state of supreme liberation known as Nirvanaliberation known as Nirvana

He is said to be the founder of BuddhismHe is said to be the founder of Buddhism His life and teachings were passed on orally for His life and teachings were passed on orally for

400 years and then written down in the 400 years and then written down in the BuddhacaritaBuddhacarita

Died around 483 B.C. in Kushinagar (today India)Died around 483 B.C. in Kushinagar (today India)

Jesus Christ, Founder of ChristianityJesus Christ, Founder of Christianity

Born around 5 B.C. in the town of Bethlehem, Born around 5 B.C. in the town of Bethlehem, JudeaJudea

Lived in Nazareth, GalileeLived in Nazareth, Galilee Parents: Mary and JosephParents: Mary and Joseph Born of virginal conceptionBorn of virginal conception Worked as a carpenterWorked as a carpenter Claimed to be the Son of GodClaimed to be the Son of God Performed miracles, had many disciplesPerformed miracles, had many disciples Born Jewish and regarded as a teacher and healerBorn Jewish and regarded as a teacher and healer

His followers believed him to be the promised His followers believed him to be the promised Messiah of the Old TestamentMessiah of the Old Testament

His account is found in the four gospels of the His account is found in the four gospels of the Holy BibleHoly Bible

Died from crucifixion at the hands of Pontius Died from crucifixion at the hands of Pontius Pilate, due to the charge of sedition against the Pilate, due to the charge of sedition against the Roman EmpireRoman Empire

Died approximately 33 A.D.Died approximately 33 A.D. His followers claim he rose from the dead three His followers claim he rose from the dead three

days laterdays later

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:First_century_palestine.gif

Muhammad, Founder of IslamMuhammad, Founder of Islam

Born around 570 A.D. in Mecca, ArabiaBorn around 570 A.D. in Mecca, Arabia Orphaned at an early age and brought up by his Orphaned at an early age and brought up by his

uncleuncle Worked as a merchant and shepherdWorked as a merchant and shepherd At the age of 40, he received a revelation from At the age of 40, he received a revelation from

GodGod Three years later, he began publicly preachingThree years later, he began publicly preaching Claimed to be an Islamic prophet and preached a Claimed to be an Islamic prophet and preached a

monotheistic religionmonotheistic religion

Gained some followers and after much Gained some followers and after much persecution in Mecca, they moved to persecution in Mecca, they moved to MedinaMedina

He fell ill and died around 632 A.D.He fell ill and died around 632 A.D. By this time most of the Arabian peninsula By this time most of the Arabian peninsula

had converted to Islamhad converted to Islam Muhammad’s revelations are recorded in Muhammad’s revelations are recorded in

the Koran (Qur’an)the Koran (Qur’an)