In honour of today, the Buddha’s birthday:

"My teaching is not a philosophy. It is the result of direct experience...

My teaching is a means of practice, not something to hold onto or worship.

My teaching is like a raft used to cross the river.

Only a fool would carry the raft around after he had already reached the other shore of liberation."

Shakyamuni Buddha (5c BCE-4c BCE), Gautama Buddha was a philosopher, mendicant, meditator, spiritual teacher, and religious leader who lived in Ancient India.