This religion began in northeastern India but today is practiced worldwide. This religion was based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama.who was born 563 BC. The myth surrounding his birth involved a dream that his mother had while she was pregnant. She dreamed that a white elephant entered her womb through her side. This dream was interpreted by Hindu priests to mean that she would have a son who would become a universal teacher or monarch. Gautama's mother gave birth to him in a park that is now called Rummindei, which is located in Nepal, Indian. A pillar honor the site of his birth. During his childhood there were further signs that led to the conclusion that he would be a Buddha. He became known as the Buddha or Enlightened One. .
Gautama's father was an Indian chief and also a member of the Hindu warrior so the family lived in luxury. When Gautama was 29 years old he became aware of human suffering. He saw four things that led him to seek the truth. These things consisted of a decrepit old man, a sick man in pain, and a human corpse being carried to a funeral and an ascetic monk with a clean-shaven head wearing a yellow robe. The sight of these things gave him the revelation that all humans are subject to suffering and he renounced earthly attachments and left home. His actions were known as the "Great Renunciation".
During his search for the enlightenment Gautama was taught and mastered the "realm of nothingness". However, he did not like the consequences so consulted another Hindu teacher who taught him the realm of neither perception nor nonperception. He was also dissatisfied with this solution. His next step was to go through severe exercises. He sat on thorns, ate bad foods and did not wash his body. As a result of this neglect he became ill. At some point Guatama abandoned this tactic and started to regain his health. The final step to enlightenment occurred after he became healthy again.