Buddha was born in the seventh century BC as Siddhartha Gautama, a prince in a royal family in India. As a child and then a young man, he lived a life that afforded every luxury, but he gradually came to understand that true happiness was not to be had by continuing this path of unquestioning habits.

Leaving his palace, he began a journey to discover the truth. After many years of practicing a path of austerity, he came to the understanding that the full awakening he was seeking came neither from the pursuit of pleasure nor from withdrawal from pleasure, and he discovered the practice of the Middle Way. He became the Tathagata, a fully liberated being, one who realizes the nature of things as they are.

The term Buddha means "the awakened one." He went on to give many teachings on the Dharma, first to his disciples and then to thousands of citizens from all walks of life. His teachings were designed so that persons of all capabilities could benefit.