Human world
Prince Siddhartha Gautama grew up sheltered in a palace. Eager to see the real world he made secret visits outside the palace walls.
'Four sights' deeply moved him: a sick man, a cripple, a corpse and an ascetic (someone who lives a very simple life). He realised nobody could escape suffering and death. He thought that only the ascetic path could bring him peace of mind.
He gave up his old life and his family to live a simple life. He exchanged his clothes for beggar's rags and cut off his hair. This is called the 'Great Renunciation'. For six years, he searched for truth.
For many years he studied under different 'gurus' (teachers) but felt that he was no nearer the truth. Finally he sat down under the ancient fig tree in Bodh Gaya to meditate and there he became the Buddha - the 'Enlightened One'.
After his enlightenment, the Buddha gave his first sermon on the four noble truths:
'Everything is suffering
The origin of suffering is desire
There exists nirvana, an end to suffering
A path, defined by the Buddha, leads to nirvana'Those who follow the teachings of Buddha 'dharma' are the community of Buddhists 'sangha'.
Find out about the 'parinirvana' of the Buddha and how his teachings spread.