Siddartha Gautama ( or "Buddha" ) was a leader of a sect of Sramanas in India. Siddharta abandoned his home and lived as a homeless ascetic ( so he had a personal experience with extremes ). Siddharta preached of the equality of men. He described that the middle way ( or the middle ground ) between the ascetism and a life of luxury leads to liberation and finally to Nirvana. Answer: C. a middle ground.