Buddhism is a religion and philosophy that originated in ancient India and is based on the teachings of the Buddha, also known as Siddhartha Gautama. At the core of Buddhism is the belief in the Four Noble Truths: the truth of suffering, the truth of the cause of suffering, the truth of the cessation of suffering, and the truth of the path leading to the cessation of suffering. These teachings emphasize the importance of mindfulness, compassion, and self-awareness in achieving inner peace and liberation from suffering. The ultimate goal of Buddhism is to attain enlightenment, or Nirvana, which is achieved through meditation, ethical conduct, and the cultivation of wisdom. Buddhism has spread throughout the world and has many different schools and traditions, each with their own interpretations and practices, but all sharing a commitment to the pursuit of inner peace and spiritual growth.