Siddhartha Gautama, who became known as Buddha, or “enlightened one,” was an Indian prince who left his family at the age of 29 to seek the truth of life. After years of wandering, meditation, and self-denial, he attained the enlightenment he sought at a place now called Buddha Gaya or Bodh Gaya. The religion he founded spread throughout central and Southeast Asia, China, Japan, and Korea, and has also attracted followers in the West.

Interesting Facts

• Buddha with a capital B refers to Buddhism’s founder, while its lowercase version is a term used to describe an enlightened person
• Buddha founded an order of monks and nuns called Sangha, which has been preserved to the modern day
• Buddha’s teachings were spread non-violently by carving in stone buildings and oral lectures
• China has the highest number of practicing Buddhists worldwide