Gautam Buddha was born 2,446 years ago in Lumbini. His teachings on peace and compassion are as relevant to us today as they were then. Lumbini is in present-day Kapilbastu districts which till recently was at the frontline of the Maoist insurgency.

In the past two weeks, a sense of normalcy has returned to the tarai plains, farmers are getting ready for the rains, and they are looking forward with hope to a future without war.

To commemorate his birthday on Saturday, 13 May, Nepali Times brings you a selection of the Buddha's words.

GOODNESS: A dog is not considered a good dog because he is a good barker. A man is not considered a good man because he is a good talker.
EXISTENCE: All things appear and disappear because of the concurrence of causes and conditions. Nothing ever exists entirely alone; everything is in relation to everything else.
PEACE: Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.
AHEAD: Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.
HATE: Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule.
CAPABLE: He is able who thinks he is able.
IMPARTIAL: He who experiences the unity of life sees his own Self in all beings, and all beings in his own Self, and looks on everything with an impartial eye.
LOVE: He who loves 50 people has 50 woes; he who loves no one has no woes.
FAITHFUL: Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.
ANGER: Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.
HOLINESS: However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them?
FATE: I do not believe in a fate that falls on men however they act; but I do believe in a fate that falls on them unless they act.
TRUTH: In a controversy the instant we feel anger we have already ceased striving for the truth, and have begun striving for ourselves.
DISCRIMINATION: In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then believe them to be true.
TRIUMPH: It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell.
WISDOM: Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue.
GRATITUDE: Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful.
PURITY: On life's journey faith is nourishment, virtuous deeds are a shelter, wisdom is the light by day and right mindfulness is the protection by night. If a man lives a pure life, nothing can destroy him.
REAL PEACE: Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.
HUMANITY: Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.
FAILURE: The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best one knows.
GOOD HEALTH: The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, nor to worry about the future, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly.
MISTAKES: There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.
DOUBT: There is nothing more dreadful than the habit of doubt. Doubt separates people. It is a poison that disintegrates friendships and breaks up pleasant relations. It is a thorn that irritates and hurts; it is a sword that kills.
HAPPINESS: Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.
UNHIDDEN: Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.
DILIGENCE: To be idle is a short road to death and to be diligent is a way of life; foolish people are idle, wise people are diligent.
DISCIPLINE: To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one's family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control one's own mind. If a man can control his mind he can find the way to Enlightenment, and all wisdom and virtue will naturally come to him.
SELFLESS: To live a pure unselfish life, one must count nothing as one's own in the midst of abundance.
JOY: We are formed and molded by our thoughts. Those whose minds are shaped by selfless thoughts give joy when they speak or act. Joy follows them like a shadow that never leaves them.
WHAT WE ARE: We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world. What is the appropriate behavior for a man or a woman in the midst of this world, where each person is clinging to his piece of debris? What's the proper salutation between people as they pass each other in this flood?
WORDS: Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill.
FEAR: When one has the feeling of dislike for evil, when one feels tranquil, one finds pleasure in listening to good teachings; when one has these feelings and appreciates them, one is free of fear.
SELF RELIANCE: Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others.
LOVE: You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and affection.
WORK: Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it.