Buddha Shakyamuni, also known simply as the Buddha, was a spiritual teacher who lived in ancient India around the 5th to 4th century BCE. He was born as Siddhartha Gautama in the Shakya clan and later renounced his royal life to seek enlightenment. After years of meditation and ascetic practices, he attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya. Following his enlightenment, Buddha Shakyamuni taught the principles of Buddhism, emphasizing the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path as a means to overcome suffering. His teachings spread throughout Asia, influencing various cultures and leading to the establishment of numerous Buddhist traditions and schools.