Shakyamuni Buddha

Shakyamuni Buddha was born in Lumbini, in Nepal, to royal parents of the Shakya clan, but renounced his home life to live as a wandering ascetic. After leading a life of mendicancy, asceticism, and meditation, he attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya in what is now India. The Buddha thereafter wandered through the lower Indo-Gangetic Plain, teaching and building a monastic order. He taught a Middle Way between sensual indulgence and severe asceticism, leading to Nirvana, that is, freedom from ignorance, craving, rebirth and suffering. His teachings are summarized in the Noble Eightfold Path, a training of mind that includes ethical training and kindness toward others, and meditative practices such as sense restraint, mindfulness, and dyana (meditation proper). He died in Kushinagar, attaining parinirvana. The Buddha has since been venerated by numerous religions and communities across Asia.