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In the beginning, a man was dissatisfied with the teachings of Hinduism, so he began to ask his own questions about life and religious matter. Eventually, he found answers and engaged many followers, slowly building the foundation of a new important Indian religion.

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young man was Siddhartha Gautama, born around 536 BC in northern India, grew up in luxury, felt something was missing in his life

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As Siddhartha looked around, he saw people suffering and wondered why there was so much pain in the world, so he began to ask questions about the meaning of life.

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Before Siddhartha reached 30, he left his home/family in search of answers and began his journey that took him to many regions in India. He confabulated with wise priests and people, but no one yet fulfilled Siddhartha's questions. For several years, he wandered in search of answers, even more determined.

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He wanted to free his mind. He began to not even wash himself and fast, and devoted most of his time to meditation

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After six years, Siddhartha eventually came to a place near the town of Gaya, close to the Gangas River. He sat down and meditated for seven weeks under a tree, and he suddenly had the answers.

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Human suffering comes from three things:
-wanting what we like but do not have
-wanting to keep what we like and already have
-not wanting what we dislike but have

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After meditating seven more weeks under the Tree of Wisdom, he described his new ideas to five of his former companions, which his followers called the First Sermon.

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Siddhartha was about 35 years old when he found enlightenment under the tree.

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From that time on, Siddhartha was called the Buddha or the "Enlightened One," and he spent the rest of his life traveling across northern India and teaching people his ideas.

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Many of his teachings were reflected on the teachings of Hinduism. Like Hindus,  he believed that people should act morally and treat others well.

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As he traveled, the Buddha gained many followers, many of which were merchants, artisans, and even a few kings. They were the first to believe in the teachings of Buddhism.

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Buddhism teachings were based around four guiding principles called the Four Noble Truths.

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1) Suffering and unhappiness are a part of human life. No one can escape sorrow.

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2) Suffering comes from our desires for pleasure and material goods. People cause their own misery because they want things they cannot have.

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3) People can overcome their desires and ignorance and reach nirvana, a state of perfect peace. Reaching nirvana would free a person's soul from suffering and from the need for further reincarnation.

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4) People can overcome ignorance and desire by following an eight-fold path that leads to wisdom, enlightenment, and salvation.

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The Buddha believed that the Eightfold Path was a middle way between human desires and denying oneself any pleasure.

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He believed that people should overcome their desire for material goods.

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They should, however, be reasonable, and not starve their bodies or cause themselves unnecessary pain.

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Some of the Buddha's teachings challenged traditional Hindu ideas.

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The Buddha rejected many of the ideas contained in the Vedas, such as animal sacrifice, and told people that they did not have to follow these texts.

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The Buddha challenged the Hindu priests, the Brahmins.

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Instead of the Hindu belief that they or their rituals were necessary for enlightenment, he taught that it was the responsibility of each person to work for his or her own salvation.

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He taught that people who failed to reach nirvana would have to be reborn time and time again until they achieved it, differing from Hindu teachings.

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The Buddha also opposed to the caste system.

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He taught that every person who followed the Eightfold Path properly would reach nirvana, no matter what varna or caste.

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The Buddha's teachings and opinions won him the support of the masses from many herders, farmers, artisans, and untouchables.

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The Buddha also gained many followers among the higher classes.

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By the tie of his death around 483 BC, the Buddha's influence was spreading rapidly throughout India.