Buddha

Buddha is known as the Light of Asia, and his name is Gautama Buddha. Buddha's real name was Siddartha Gautama, and he was a spiritual teacher and philosopher in ancient India. He was born in Nepal and is considered the founder of Buddhism. The term buddha was employed by a range of religious organizations in ancient India and had a variety of meanings. Nonetheless, it became most strongly associated with Buddhism. It grew to mean an enlightened being who has risen from the slumber of ignorance and found relief from pain.

His disciples, known as Buddhists, spread the faith that is now known as Buddhism. Many Buddhist traditions believe that Buddhas have existed in the past and will exist in the future. Some Buddhist schools believe that each historical period contains only one Buddha, while others think that because all creatures have a buddha nature, they will eventually become buddhas (tathagatagarbha).

• Born: c. 563 BCE or 480 BCE
• Died: c. 483 BCE or 400 BCE
• Resting place: Cremated; ashes divided among followers