Is There Any Actual Proof That Founders Of Other Religions Existed?

Question

I was just wondering if there is any ACTUAL proof that people like Buddha and Mohammed existed. I don't want to hear from spiritual sources of info like the Qu'ran but actual documented proof.

What's funny is that the founder of the Church of Satan, Dr. Anton LaVey, was an actual person with proof of his existence. Look him up.

Did Buddha and Mohammed actually REALLY exist?

Answer 1

1) Buddha's remains have been distributed right after his cremation amongst his devotees.

2) Historical sites have been unearthed with proof of Lord Buddha's missionary works while he was still alive (despite being destroyed by the Muslims as they invaded India).

3) There were mentions of him throughout several non-Buddhistic texts predating Christ's and Muhammad's existence.

Answer 2

I see you left the big one off the list. I'm assuming you're of the opinion that it's a foregone conclusion that there isn't any evidence of his existence, and simply want to make a point to those who believe he did.

Muhammad: http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9105853/Muhammad

Buddha: I couldn't find anything concrete, so I can't say right now that he did or didn't exist. The default position is no, until I find some evidence that says otherwise.

This is not an endorsement of Islam, but Muhammad has been written about by several historians due to his influence on that part of the world during his lifetime. He also has descendents that can trace themselves back to him. I don't doubt that he was a real person.

Answer 3

Let us not forget Martin Luther.

Interesting question seeing as how that the basis for the concept of "one G--" and, therefor, the basis of Judaism and Christianity, is believed to have been the legacy of Abraham. To my knowledge, other than Biblical references, there is no evidence that he existed. It's all faith, my friend. It doesn't really matter if Buddha or Mohamed were "real". The faithful would say there is no evidence that they didn't exist. A circular argument at best.

Answer 4

The Buddha was the heir to a small kingdom in north India. Since he never claimed to be anything more than a man, there's little reason to doubt that someone would have felt the need to "invent" him out of thin air.

Confucius is well documented historically.

As for other religions, I can't say.

Answer 5

I don't know about Buddha, but Mohammed lived in historical times and his conquests made an impression on the Byzantium Empire.

Answer 6

No, founders by definition don't exists actually. It's pure logic. Those religions appeared at the Big Bang and evolved into today's form in a synchronized manner with the other evolutions.

This is like saying "Is there proves that the founders of the roman empire existed? I don't want to hear from historical sources."

Answer 7

Buddha did. He was a Prince, so his birth was documented and carried through his lineage. Mohammed is assumed to have existed, as there are several non-muslim contemporaneous accounts of his life.

Answer 8

Joseph Smith is pretty well documented, as is Mohammed. L. Ron Hubbard is pretty recent, as is Mary Baker Eddy. Those are the only ones that occur to me off the top of my head.

Answer 9

I would say that there's more proof that Buddha and Mohammad existed than Jesus.

edit- I'll go look it up, I forgot what site it was.

Answer 10

We have proof of the existences of Joshua Smith (technically not a founder if you believe him though) and of course there is proof of L. Ron Hubbard.