Bhutan
A statue of Lord Buddha is pictured at Kuensel Phodrang in Thimphu May 20, 2012. Reuters

As today is the anniversary of Buddha's birthday, IBTimes UK has compiled some of the best quotes by the man whose teachings formed the foundation of Buddhism.

Who is Buddha?

Siddhārtha Gutama Shakyamuni, known by many as Buddha, was a prominent theologian and sage in northeast India.

The year of his birth is not certain, but historians believed it is between 563 BC and 483 BC.

His birthday is celebrated during the Vaisakha month of the Buddhist and Hindu calendars, and corresponds to April or May of the Western Gregorian calendar.

Buddha dedicated his lifetime to teaching a doctrine - later named Buddhism - according to which human beings must detach themselves from their material possessions in order to elevate their spirit and reach enlightenment: a state of mind in perfect harmony with the universe.

Buddha is said to have travelled to several countries and taught a diverse range of people including nobles, servants and murderers.

The actual date traditionally accepted for Buddha's death is 544 BC or 545 BC.

Many people are believed to have learned Buddha's teachings by heart and passed them on from one generation to another.

Buddha's Best Inspirational Quotes

Love is a gift of one's inner most soul to another so both can be whole.

To keep the body in good health is a duty... otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.

Love the whole world as a mother loves her only child.

It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell.

If you truly loved yourself, you could never hurt another.

You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and affection.

The mind is everything. What you think you become.

Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.

Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely.

In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then believe them to be true.

If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change.

Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.

Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.

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