I am not sure Budha was coward or not but i am pretty sure Budha was one of the most selfish and anarchist person ever born. Being born a Royal prince, got all the pleasure from country resources. When he fed up of those pleasures then he truned to others means so called meditation leaving all the then social, family and national values for his own personal bliss. Remember when you do not obey your social, family and nationalistic values, how much critisizm you get. In many cases you will be outcasted or even put into death. At that time, Shidharth Gautam was not outcasted or killed dispite he being biggest crook, uncaring and selfish. People of the time must have been kind and thanks Maoists were not born yet. All most all the people of that time perhaps were suffering from their own conflict, constant conformity to some social values along with some passing joys. Instead of sharing pain, sorrow and passing joys he left society for something which he even did not know is undeniable proof of his utter selfishness. How come he imagined to be liberated alone and get something emense only for himslef ? Is not it selfish activities?