Final answer:
Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, who became known as the Buddha after achieving enlightenment around 563-483 BCE in what is now Nepal. His teachings led to the spread of Buddhism, which became a major global religion influencing cultures and other religions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Buddhism traces its origins back to a teacher known as Buddha, who was originally named Siddhartha Gautama. Siddhartha Gautama is believed to have lived between 563-483 BCE. He was born in Lumbini, which is now part of Nepal, and he founded Buddhism after a period of intense meditation and spiritual exploration. At the age of thirty-five, he achieved enlightenment under a sacred fig tree and thereafter became known as the Buddha, meaning 'enlightened one.' Gautama's teachings spread rapidly, especially after the conversion of the Indian king Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE, and they have had a profound impact on Indian culture and religions worldwide. Buddhism's core teachings include the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, intended to lead practitioners away from suffering and towards enlightenment.