In 563 B.C., with the birth of an Indian Prince named Siddhartha Gautama. Born to royalty and great wealth, he rejected all worldly possessions to live the life of a monk. He came to be known as the Buddha (“enlightened one”), founder of the gentle religion that bears his name. Ultimately, one-third of the worlds’ population would be converted to Buddhism. Buddhist theory credits the shortcomings of all humanity to man’s rebellion against the laws of nature. An important part of Buddhist development was the study of birds, animals, insects and reptiles. It was reasoned that Man could learn much from God’s creatures since they were in complete harmony with nature and the universe.
Traveling from village to village teaching the gentle ways of Buddhism, early monks often delivered mail and valuables as a service to their devoted. For this reason they were often attacked and robbed. Forbidden to bear weapons, they turned to nature with their need. Knowledge of ancient unarmed combat techniques became a part of their training. The fighting habits of birds, animals, insects and reptiles, as they applied to the human body, were incorporated and a complete new concept of combat was born. It was to be known as Vajaramushti (meaning: one whose first is unyielding). Siddhartha Gautama’s (The Buddha) teachings were destined to have great influence on the fierce fighting art and it’s philosophy. He died, a penniless monk in 483 B.C., at the age of 80.
