Fascinating figure, and immensely influential, considering how many Buddhists there are in the world.

Reading the reviews attached to this item I am not surprised to see the usual suspects expressing their shallow and blinkered ignorance, as well as a number of subliterate simians.

He founded a major religion.I'd say that's pretty influential.

Not to be an ass, but Buddhism is not technically a religion, it is a philosophy of life.  Not to say that it should not be treated with respect. And I believe that Buddha is DEFINATELY one of the top 3 most influential in history.

Has influenced nearly half a billion people with his philosophy of peace and unconditional love. And you don't hear about Buddhist terrorists or extremists who misinterpret or pervert the teachings of their prophet, do you? This is a man to be respected.

Here's someone who figured out how to live a happy life, advocating moderation in all things.  He didn't claim to have any magic powers.

I think that he a wonderful man he deserve a good women in his life to be wih. I thinks he is a really respectful man and he is very nice person. But one thing is that he need to be a men like he said he is and be honest with her because if you don't tell the truft it come right back on you alot of ways that you wan't never knew about it at the time. Just concerate and think what you doing before the next guy to go home. She need a great man in her life that is going to be there for her and  be fateful to her and her mother is a wonderful mother that has a beautiful daughter and keep that nice smle on both of there faces ok. Cause it going to be alright. ok.

One of the greatest minds in history.

The listing doesn't deal with what you think of his teachings, it deals with how influential the figure is, and this is one of the most influential people on the list and in all of human history, like it or not. 60th or so on this list?

boring person, boring and nonese teachings.

buddha is what ever

his insight view and thinking of human life is great

I believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ. However, I have great admiration for the Budhists. For the most part, they seem to practice what they preach. In my experience, most Christians do not.

Peace and Love. Why are people so blind to the advantages of Buddhism?

People actualy know very little about the man we all now call Buddha. I know the bare minimum, but I won't debate the merits and shortcomings of this figure. What was his influence? Most ideas of pacifism and non-violence are traced to him and Jesus, and Buddhism is one of the worlds largest religions, so his INFLUENCE can't really be denied, regardless of anyone's personal opinion of his teachings.

Buddha was an okay guy for his time but how did he get to be ranked higher than Christ? Did Buddha sacrifice his life for the sins of the world?

Buddha is misunderstood for a part. He never talked about God, but that doesn't mean he didn't acknowledge his existence. Besides that, Buddha is one of the greatest men that ever walked this earth. I think he is such an inspiration. Absolute, onconditional love for everyone and everything. You'll never see a buddhist blow up a building. Buddha gave us a practical way to achieve inner peace wether you believe in God and want to get closer, or wether you just want to better yourself. Buddha showed us we got to do it, and we can do it, ourselves. We don't need a minister, a preacher, a book, a sacred text, astrological advise, armageddon. All we need is a cushion, and a chair if you want. Buddha gave us the tools for self-improvement, and they are absolutely free. Bless Buddha.

Some of the opinions provided here are pretty ignorant. Buddha was not fat. I don't know where people got that idea. And 'False religion that leads people astray'? How moronic, coming from someone who believes in a man who walked on water, turned water into wine, andcame back to life. :|

Buddhism is practiced by millions of people in the world today. . .it is usually overlooked as a major influence when compared to Islam, Christianity, and Judaism but this would be a mistake. The teachings of Buddha are interwoven into many nations and cultures and will be here as long as people are. . .this is a fascinating figure if you ever want to read something a little different.

hes all about peace and love and everything natural. thats all we need in this world. and i wear him around my neck. i feel like nothing can happen to me as long as i have him on my necklace. and im not even bhuddist.

Eh, to me he is just a fat guy.

This is primarily a response to yesseroo, but who is to judge whether or not a religion is true or false? A teacher? A proffessor? A priest? Buddhism, like many other religions, attempt to explain the unexplainable, and give meaning to life. Buddhism does it by teaching non-violence, and vegetarianism, and suggests that one must abandon the material world in exchange for greater spiritual insight. It does not promote any governmental agenda nor does it teach intolerance of other faiths...a surprise when compared to that of most others. Buddha asked for loving kindness for all, and for peace. Like the Christian faith, Buddhism emphasized one's good deeds will be rewarded in the afterlife, but if one chose evil over good, you would eventually suffer for it.

He would have gotten his books knocked out of his hands at my school.He reminds me of a penguin.Update:Wait a minute that was Buddah,I do not know who Buddha is.

Inspirational, its a shame that people across the globe do not respect him for who he was.

False religion that leads people astray.

A very influentul person

Why couldn't everyone be Buddhist?

Inquire within.

There is little doubt regarding the challenge Buddha posed to others to see for yourself. Buddhism finally was something the common man could grasp in the path of shedding the ego. Not like religions that strive for abstract dieties and unfufilled promises that dont come to pass. Buddha showed how to let go of such nonsense and to view the self.

In Eastern belief systems the Buddha is as influential as Jesus is to us, which makes him one of the most influential people in human history. Many followers of Western religions reject Buddism because they do not realize that Buddism focuses on PATHS to spiritual enlightenment, rather than what is at the end of that path. You can be a Christian and a Buddist at the same time (in the eyes of the Buddha, at least). The teachings of the Buddha are still highly influential and relevant today.