Page 22 - Islam and Buddhism

Islam and Buddhism

priests formed the very highest segment of society

and they pitilessly oppressed the people of lesser
status.
Gautama was born the son of a wealthy
prince by the name of Suddhodana, in the noble
Sakya family. After spending his youth
in comfort and ease, Gautama left the
palace at the age of 29 and began a mys-

tic search that lasted until his death at
the age of 80. During his lifetime, he es-
tablished certain principles that over
the course of time, evolved into the
doctrine we now call Buddhism.

The statues of Buddha above and on
the facing page are very important to
Buddhists' pagan beliefs. This per-
verse religion leads people to accept the
incredible idea that these statues can do
them some good.

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