Buddhism originated around 2,500 years ago in northeast India by Siddhartha Gautama, who came from a wealthy family but sought an end to suffering after witnessing poverty. The religion is based on Buddha's teachings as recorded in the Tripitaka, and is divided into Theravada, which follows the earliest teachings, and Mahayana, which believes everyone can achieve enlightenment. Central to Buddhism are the concepts of karma, rebirth, the Four Noble Truths about suffering and its end, and the goal of enlightenment or Nirvana through following the teachings of Buddha.