Buddha, meaning 'the enlightened one', was born in the ancient city of Kapilavastu, to the King Sudhodana and Queen Maya. He was an avatar of Vishnu. The young prince, named Siddharta, was not attracted to the luxurious life of the palace. Instead he became sad seeing misery of the common man.

Seeing his son lose interest in worldly matters, Sudhodhana married Siddhartha to a young woman. Though they had a son and Siddhartha continued living in the palace, he remained unhappy.

One day, leaving his family behind, he walked out of the palace to lead a hermit's life the forests.

Under the bodhi tree in Gaya he achieved nirvana or eternal peace. He traveled all over India and began spreading his message. Buddhism is the name of the religion that is based on the teachings of Buddha.