Gautama Buddha, often simply referred to as Buddha, was an Indian spiritual teacher who founded Buddhism. His life and teachings have significantly influenced not only religious thought but also philosophy, ethics, and culture across Asia and beyond.
Siddhartha Gautama, later known as the Buddha, was born in Lumbini, which is part of present-day Nepal, around 563 BCE. He was the son of King Shuddhodana and Queen Maya of the Shakya clan. His birth was prophesied to be either a great king or a holy man. To prevent the latter, his father sheltered him from the world's suffering by providing him with a life of luxury.
At the age of 29, after witnessing human suffering in the forms of old age, sickness, and death, Siddhartha left his royal life in search of truth. This event is known as the Great Renunciation. He practiced severe asceticism but found it unfulfilling. Eventually, he chose a path of moderation, later known as the Middle Way.
After years of meditation, Siddhartha attained enlightenment at the age of 35 while sitting under the Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya, India. This moment of awakening, where he comprehended the nature of existence and the path to liberation from suffering, is known as Enlightenment or Nirvana.
After his enlightenment, Buddha spent the next 45 years teaching his insights across the Gangetic Plain of North India. His followers, the Sangha, consisted of both laypeople and ordained monks and nuns. His teachings were preserved orally and later written down in texts known as the Pali Canon.
Buddha died at the age of 80 in Kushinagar, India, around 483 BCE. His death, known as Parinirvana, is celebrated as the moment he entered final Nirvana, leaving behind a legacy of teachings to help others achieve the same.
Buddha's teachings spread across Asia through the efforts of his disciples and missionaries, leading to the development of various schools of Buddhism like Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. His philosophy has influenced art, literature, architecture, and social practices, promoting principles of compassion, mindfulness, and wisdom.