Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, who is more commonly known as the Buddha. Siddhartha Gautama was born around the 5th century BCE in what is now modern-day Nepal. He was born into a noble family and led a sheltered life. However, at the age of 29, he became disillusioned with the world and left his privileged life behind to seek spiritual enlightenment.

After years of intense meditation and seeking answers, Siddhartha Gautama achieved enlightenment at the age of 35 while meditating under a Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India. He gained deep insights into the nature of suffering and the path to liberation from it. Following his enlightenment, he began teaching his insights to others, and his teachings formed the foundation of Buddhism.

The Buddha’s teachings, known as the Dharma, spread throughout ancient India during his lifetime. He attracted a large number of disciples, both monastic and lay, who followed his teachings and practices. The Buddha passed away around the age of 80, and his final words to his disciples were to be diligent in their practice and to rely on the teachings (Dharma) as their guide.

It’s important to note that while the Buddha is considered the founder of Buddhism, he did not claim to be a deity or the sole creator of the universe. Instead, he was a spiritual teacher who shared his insights and teachings to help others find liberation from suffering and attain enlightenment.