Buddhism began with the enlightenment and teaching of Siddhartha Gautama (500-480 B.C.E.) who became known as the Buddha or Shakyamuni Buddha.

Siddartha was born a prince in India. He lead a sheltered life and was kept from witnessing or experiencing suffering. When Siddhartha was in his late 20's, he had four encounters which changed his life.

1. he saw a man suffering from old age
2. he saw a man suffering from disease
3. he saw a dead man
4. he saw a holy man

Siddhartha was overcome by the experience of old age, sickness, death and the suffering which seemed to be everywhere. When he was 29 he left behind his princely life and began his path of homelessness.

Gautama lived the life of an ascetic, performing ascetic practices such as retaining the breath, fasting and meditating. After nearly 6 years of living this life he was close to death and had not yet attained enlightenment. He began to wonder if there was another way to achieve enlightenment. He sat beneath a tree to meditate and vowed he would continue till he received insight.

Siddhartha attained enlightenment under this tree. He received insight into the true way of life which is not to be found in extreme self-denial or self-indulgence, but in the "Middle Way" of peaceful detachment. After enlightenment he continued to meditate under the Bodhi (enlightenment) Tree. After awhile he began to wonder whether he should teach the Dharma to others. He felt that it was difficult to teach to a world caught up in attachment. Then the god Sahampati appeared to the Buddha and encouraged him to "turn the wheel of Dharma" for the sake of all sentient beings. He told Buddha that to teach would result in the liberation of countless beings from the cycle of suffering. The Buddha was moved by compassion and began to teach the Dharma. He would continue to do so for 45 years until his death.