Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, was born approximately 2,500 years ago in India and was a member of the Sakya clan. Seeking enlightenment, he meditated under a pipal tree and attained enlightenment, becoming known as the Buddha. He then taught others for the first time in Sarnath and spent the rest of his life traveling around India teaching that life involves suffering caused by craving and desire, but this suffering can be overcome through moderation and by following his teachings of non-violence, karma, and independent thinking.