First, some background on Buddhism. The Buddha was born as an ordinary human being, in what is now Nepal. His name was Siddhatta, and he was born as a prince, the son of King Suddhodana. In time, he came to realize that the life of luxury did not bring an end to suffering. So he left the palace, and followed the path of a self-mortifying ascetic, which was what some spiritual people of his time did. After seven years, he realized that punishing his body did not bring an end to suffering, either. So he discovered the Middle Way, and eventually attained full enlightenment and an end to suffering. For the rest of his life, 45 more years, he taught the truths he discovered, The Four Noble Truths, including the way he had followed to attain enlightenment, the Noble Eightfold Path.