Gautama Buddha, also known as Siddhartha Gautama, was a spiritual teacher who lived in ancient India between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE. He founded the religion of Buddhism, which is now practiced by millions of people around the world.
The story of Gautama Buddha begins with his birth in the city of Lumbini, which is now located in modern-day Nepal. According to legend, his mother Queen Maya gave birth to him while standing under a tree, and he emerged from her side fully grown and enlightened.
As a young man, Gautama lived a life of luxury as a prince in his father's palace. However, he became disillusioned with this lifestyle and decided to leave the palace in search of spiritual truth. He spent several years wandering the countryside, practicing meditation and studying with various teachers.
Eventually, Gautama achieved enlightenment while meditating under a fig tree, which is now known as the Bodhi tree. He realized the Four Noble Truths, which are the foundation of Buddhist philosophy, and became known as the Buddha, which means "enlightened one."
After achieving enlightenment, the Buddha spent the rest of his life traveling and teaching others about his philosophy. He founded a community of monks and nuns, and his teachings were recorded in the form of sutras and other texts.
One of the most famous symbols of Buddhism is the image of the Buddha seated in meditation. This pose is known as the lotus position, and it represents the idea of inner peace and stillness.
Today, the teachings of the Buddha continue to inspire people all over the world, and Buddhism is one of the world's major religions. The site of the Buddha's enlightenment, known as Bodh Gaya, is now a major pilgrimage destination for Buddhists.