Final answer:
Siddhartha was awakened to the Middle Path after seeing the suffering in the world and trying extreme asceticism, which proved unsatisfactory. He realized a balanced approach was necessary, leading to enlightenment and the beginnings of Buddhism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The event that awakened Siddhartha Gautama to the Middle Path occurred when he initially pursued extreme ascetic practices after encountering the realities of suffering such as old age, sickness, and death. Dissatisfied with the ascetic life as he realized it did not lead to enlightenment but only physical suffering, he chose a path of moderation between the extremes of self-indulgence and self-mortification. This approach to life, which he called the Middle Path, eventually led him to enlightenment under the sacred fig tree, after which he became known as the Buddha, or "enlightened one."
The Middle Path is an essential concept within Buddhism, emphasizing a balanced approach to spiritual practice. Instead of harsh self-denial or self-indulgence, it encourages following a way that avoids all extremes. By following the Middle Path and understanding the Four Noble Truths, one engages in a moral life leading towards the cessation of suffering and ultimately enlightenment or nirvana. This principle is a core teaching of the Buddha and is practiced by Buddhists around the world.