The origin, traditional Buddhism began in the 6th century BC with the historical person born Siddhartha Gautama, but better known by a variety of titles including Shakyammi, Tathagata, or most commonly Buddha, the enlightened one. The legend of the Buddha's life has acquired plenty of variations and embellishments over the years, but the basic facts are accepted as traditional, including the dates of his birth and death. The story of Buddha's birth is encrusted with …showed first 75 words of 1006 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1006 total…sitting in meditation for seven days, Gautama looked up at the heavens and said, "How wonderful, How wonderful. All things are enlightened exactly as they are!" He then continued to meditate for a total of 49 days, for it was at this time all Buddhist down through the ages believed, Gautama, first experienced Nirvana: the goal of Buddhism; it means freedom from karma; extinction of all craving; the realization of the true nature of the mind.