According to available historical information the historical Buddha, Sakyamuni Gotama, never visited the European continent. He was born, became enlightened and lived in ancient India in the 6^th century BCE. As an enlightened teacher the Buddha founded a new spiritual tradition of practice which later on became known as Buddhism.  There is evidence that the Buddhist Emperor Asoka in the 3^rd century BCE sent Buddhist missionaries up to Greece and Egypt, introducing this philosophy of enlightenment in the West.  It is also known that after Alexander the Great and his campaigns in western India some diplomatic relations with ancient India were established. Thanks to which, in due course of time, some knowledge of Buddhism in the European antiquity became available.  Today, in the 21^st century, Buddhism has become one of the rapidly developing spiritual traditions in Europe. It may be added that already during the renaissance era Buddhism became known in Europe at the time of King Louis XIV, when Buddhism was accredited in the French Royal court and then became a subject of learning in French academic institutions. Subsequently, as a branch of knowledge, Buddhism was introduced in other European universities. Today Buddhism has struck roots in European soil and contributes to sustainable world peace in bringing happiness to millions of people.