Siddhartha Gautama
A spiritual teacher who founded Buddhism
Real World Example
Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, was a spiritual teacher in ancient India who founded Buddhism around the 5th century BCE. He achieved enlightenment under the Bodhi tree and taught the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path as a way to overcome suffering. His teachings mattered because they offered a new way of thinking that emphasized compassion, mindfulness, and inner peace, which contrasted with the rigid caste system of that time. Today, his legacy continues to inspire people worldwide to practice meditation and mindfulness, promoting mental health and well-being. For example, many people use mindfulness techniques in schools and workplaces to reduce stress and improve focus, showing how his teachings remain relevant.