Long ago, an Indian prince known as Siddhartha Gautama offered simple teachings that served to free oneself from suffering by relating to the daily experiences of life and mind. Buddhism is a living tradition passed from teacher to student as a set of instructions and techniques aimed at creating reason and brilliance in the world and within ourselves. Bodhisattvas are people who dedicate their lives to helping others achieve the goal of Buddhism. They contribute greatly to the evolution of religion and without them; it would be more difficult to achieve Nirvana. Regardless of the age of this religion, it is as relevant and useful to people today as it was in the past. Siddhartha Gautama was born around 560 BCE in Lumbini, which is now Nepal. He was raised as a prince and led a sheltered life. As he grew tired of life inside the palace, he went out. However, during his absence, Siddhartha encounters old age, illness and death as well as the promise of a spiritual path. After seeing the suffering of human life, he decides to leave the kingdom to seek spiritual understanding. He studied for several years with the greatest teachers and thought that what he was doing was not enough. Then one night, many years later, he sat under a tree known as the Bodhi tree and meditated. Siddhartha then proceeds to study the meanings of his mind, the universe and life itself. Thus, he attains enlightenment. This enlightenment was a discovery created by Siddhartha Gautama, based on the deepest level of meditation and the clearest experience of his own mind. This meant that he was freed from the chains of envy, ill will and delusion. Therefore, at that time Siddhartha Gautama becomes the Buddha and...... middle of paper ...... I would find it difficult to understand how to achieve Nirvana. Buddhism is a living tradition that is transmitted from teacher to student. as a set of instructions on how to create purpose and brilliance in ourselves and in the world around us. It was a religion formed by an Indian prince named Siddhartha Gautama. Siddhartha was raised in a sheltered lifestyle, but when he left, he began his journey to achieve the ultimate goal: Nirvana. The ultimate goal of Buddhism is to break the cycle of death and rebirth; this happens when you reach Nirvana. However, to achieve Nirvana, one must understand the Four Noble Truths and follow the Eightfold Paths. There are beings who abandon Nirvana to help others achieve it; they are known as bodhisattvas. They devote their lives to the well-being of others and therefore without the Bodhisattvas, Nirvana would be difficult to achieve for some but not for all...