Shakyamuni Buddha, also known as Siddhartha Gautama, was a spiritual leader and the founder of Buddhism. Born in the 6th century BCE in present-day Nepal, he was a prince who renounced his royal life in search of enlightenment. After years of ascetic practice and meditation, he attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree and became the Buddha, or "The Awakened One." He spent the rest of his life teaching the principles of Dharma, the path to enlightenment, and his teachings form the foundation of Buddhism. His teachings emphasize the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path as a means to end suffering and achieve spiritual liberation.