Buddhism originated in India around the 5th century BCE with the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha. It emerged as a reform movement within Hinduism, emphasizing the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path as a way to achieve enlightenment and end suffering. Over the centuries, Buddhism spread throughout India and influenced various cultures and religions. It flourished during the reign of Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE, who promoted its teachings. However, by the 12th century, Buddhism began to decline in India, largely due to the resurgence of Hinduism and the arrival of Islam.