佛教, or Buddhism, is a spiritual tradition that originated in ancient India around the 5th century BCE. Founded by 释迦牟尼 (Siddhartha Gautama), known as the 佛 (Buddha), it teaches the path to enlightenment through practices such as meditation, ethical conduct, and wisdom. Buddhism emphasizes the Four Noble Truths, which outline the nature of suffering and the way to overcome it. Followers seek to attain 涅槃 (Nirvana), a state of liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth, known as 轮回 (samsara). The tradition has various schools, including 大乘 (Mahayana) and 小乘 (Theravada), each with unique interpretations and practices.