The Buddha or the “Awakened One,” lived in ancient India. Born Siddhartha Gautama, he renounced a life of privilege in search of a deeper understanding of human suffering and the way to lasting peace. After years of meditation and disciplined practice, he attained enlightenment and spent the rest of his life teaching others what he had realized. The Buddha taught that suffering can be understood and transcended through wisdom, mindfulness, ethical conduct, and compassion. Spiritual leaders such as the Dalai Lama and Thich Nhat Hanh have helped preserve and share the Buddha’s teachings, presenting them in ways that emphasize compassion, mindfulness, and practical application in daily life. To learn more, read the Dhammapada.