when did the Buddha live?

Answer 1

About two and a half thousand years ago.

PS. Though he was only one of a number of Buddhas, both past and future.
And at one level, we're all Buddhas.

EDIT
I'm really intrigued to know why some of these answers got thumbs down.
Care to tell?

Answer 2

Siddhartha Gautama was a spiritual teacher from Ancient India and the founder of Buddhism. He is generally recognized by Buddhists as the Supreme Buddha of our age. The time of his birth and death are uncertain: a majority of 20th-century historians date his lifetime from around 563 BCE to 483 BCE, but some more recent scholars have suggested dates around 410 or 400 BCE for his death. Some suggest even later dates. These alternative chronologies, however, have not yet been accepted by all other historians.

Answer 3

Jon C Baggins is correct!

Buddha said that humans must become "twice born".
A human truly lives when they awaken from a deep sleep. Thus becoming a "True Human Being".
The Awakening (enlightenment) is the true birth of a human being. This makes it difficult to determine, when a human truly takes birth.
There have been many various forms of Buddha's and there will continue to be many forms of Buddha's, as long as humans continue to stay asleep in an world dominated by illusion. Sometimes a few awakenings are deemed necessary, when students become available.

Answer 4

About 500 B.C. His original name was Siddhartha Gautama, an Indian prince.

Answer 5

Siddharta Gautama lived around 500 before JC.

So let's say 2500 to 2600 years ago. And it is the only religion - as far as I know - which doesn't get involved in a war since its birth.

Answer 6

the 'original' one was in the fifth century BCE, he was a prince

Answer 7

http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/b_chron-txt.htm

This is a timeline.