Buddha Shakyamuni at The Kiev Museum of Western and Oriental Art, Ukraine

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Gautama Buddha, also known as Siddhārtha Gautama, Shakyamuni Buddha, or simply the Buddha, was a renowned ascetic and sage whose teachings formed the foundation of Buddhism. He is believed to have lived and taught primarily in eastern India between the sixth and fourth centuries BCE. Gautama's teachings emphasized a Middle Way between sensual indulgence and extreme asceticism, which was prevalent in his region at that time. His influence extended beyond his native region to other areas of eastern India, including Magadha and Kosala. As the primary figure in Buddhism, Gautama is revered by Buddhists as an enlightened teacher who achieved full Buddhahood and shared his insights to help sentient beings escape rebirth and suffering. Accounts of his life, teachings, and monastic rules were believed to have been summarized after his death and memorized by his followers. Collections of his teachings, attributed to him, were passed down through oral tradition and first written down approximately 400 years later.