Although it is difficult to be certain of the history of Buddhism, many historians believe that Buddhism originated approximately 2,500 years ago in India when Siddhatta Gautama discovered the way to live without suffering. Siddhatta Gautama founded the Sangha, the sect of wonderful ascetics.1 Siddhatta Gautama or more commonly known as Buddha was born as a prince who had every luxury at his command but decided to search for solutions to suffering when he was faced with reality. After achieving his enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, he delivered his first sermon to a group of five ascetics and from that day onwards he taught and preached his teachings to all mankind regardless of their background. The population of the religion's disciples is reaching over 500 million inhabitants, most of whom are found in countries such as Ceylon, China, Tibet, Korea, India, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and scattered throughout the world.2 Historians believe that the Buddha may have died in Kusinara at the age of 80 but his teachings lived on forever. Because it is such an ancient religion, one might wonder whether it retains its relevance to today's world. During his enlightenment, the Buddha discovered the three universal truths. All the Buddha's teachings are based on these three truths. One of the three universal truths is anicca, which means that nothing is permanent. This idea is connectable to today's world because it is the truth. Nothing in this world will last forever. People will age, plants will wither and die, and non-living things will decay and rust. The second universal truth is dukkha, which means suffering. Buddha said that life is dukkha beca...... middle of paper....../5precepts.html10. Snyder, David N. “The Complete Book of Buddha Lists: Explained” Nevada: Vipassana Foundation, 2009, pp 201-204.11. Gyatso, Tenzin. “How to Practice: The Path to a Meaningful Life” New York: Atria. 2002, pp. 71.12. Dechen, Khandro. Aeroncyclopedia “The Ten Paramitas”. Accessed April 20, 2014. http://www.aroencyclopaedia.org/shared/text/p/paramitas_ar_01_eng.php13. “Buddhism Statistics.” Adherents. Accessed April 20, 2014. http://www.adherents.com/Na/Na_86.html#61714. Stein, Joel “Just Say O,” TIME 162, no. 5 (4 August 2003): 48-5615. “What is Buddhism?” Dhammaloka. Accessed 20 April 2014. http://www.dhammaloka.org.au/articles/item/577-what-is-buddhism?.html16. “The Direction of Buddhism in America Today” UrbanDharma. Accessed April 20, 2014. http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma5/tension2.html