Γκαουτάμα, commonly known as Buddha, was a spiritual teacher who lived in ancient India around the 5th to 4th century BCE. He is the founder of Buddhism, a major world religion that emphasizes the path to enlightenment through practices such as meditation, ethical conduct, and wisdom. Born as Siddhartha Gautama, he renounced his royal life in search of deeper truths about suffering and existence. After years of meditation and ascetic practices, Γκαουτάμα attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya. He then shared his insights, known as the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, which guide followers in overcoming suffering and achieving Nirvana, a state of liberation and peace.