Asanga, the founder of Yogachara Buddhism, lived during the 4th century CE in India. He was born in Purushapura, which is now known as Peshawar in present-day Pakistan. Asanga was born into a Brahmin family and was the younger brother of another prominent Buddhist philosopher, Vasubandhu.

Asanga's exact birth year is not known, but it is believed that he lived during the reign of the Gupta dynasty, which ruled over a large part of northern India during that time. He was raised in a Hindu household and was well-versed in the Vedas and other Hindu scriptures.

Asanga's interest in Buddhism began when he met a monk who was reciting the Diamond Sutra, a popular Buddhist text. This encounter sparked his curiosity and he sought out a Buddhist teacher to learn more about the religion. He studied under various Buddhist masters and became well-versed in the different schools of Buddhism, including Theravada and Mahayana.

Asanga is best known for his role in the development of the Yogachara school of Buddhism. This school focused on the practice of meditation and the concept of "mind-only" or "consciousness-only" (cittamatra) as the ultimate reality. Asanga's teachings were heavily influenced by the Yogacara texts, particularly the Mahayana-samgraha, which was written by his brother Vasubandhu.

Asanga's most famous disciple was Vasubandhu's own brother, Asvaghosa. Together, they worked to spread the teachings of Yogachara Buddhism throughout India. Asanga also traveled to various parts of India, including Kashmir and Nepal, to spread his teachings.

Asanga's contributions to Buddhism were not limited to the development of the Yogachara school. He also wrote several important texts, including the Abhidharma-samuccaya, which is a summary of the Abhidharma teachings, and the Mahayanasamgraha, which is a comprehensive guide to the Yogachara school.

Asanga's teachings and writings had a significant impact on the development of Buddhism in India and beyond. His ideas and theories continue to be studied and practiced by Buddhists around the world. Asanga's legacy lives on through the Yogachara school, which remains an important branch of Mahayana Buddhism.

In conclusion, Asanga lived during the 4th century CE in Purushapura, now known as Peshawar, in present-day Pakistan. He was a prominent Buddhist philosopher and the founder of the Yogachara school of Buddhism. His teachings and writings continue to have a profound influence on Buddhism today.