Gautama Buddha (Buddhism)

Gautama Buddha, born Siddhartha Gautama around 563 BCE in present-day Nepal, is the founder of Buddhism. After witnessing suffering in the world, he sought enlightenment through meditation. He discovered the Four Noble Truths, which address the nature of suffering, its causes, and the path to overcoming it, known as the Eightfold Path. This path includes ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom. Buddha taught that by following this path, individuals can attain Nirvana, a state of liberation from the cycle of birth and death (samsara). His teachings emphasize compassion, mindfulness, and the importance of self-awareness.