Buddhism began almost 2,500 years ago. The foundation of Buddhism rests on the life of one teacher; an Indian prince named Siddhartha Gotama. Prince Siddhartha grew up in small kingdom in northeast India, an area which now rests in Nepal. His father, King Sudhodana, ruled over the Shakya people. Although the King hoped his son would carry on his legacy, the prince had a very different calling; one which made him one of history's most famous and influential figures.