The Dhammapada (Collector's Edition) (Laminated Hardback with Jacket)

Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, was born around the 5th to 6th century BCE in what is now Nepal. Raised in a royal family, he was shielded from suffering until he encountered sickness, old age, and death in his late twenties. These encounters stirred him to abandon his privileged life in search of spiritual understanding.

After years of meditation and ascetic practices, he attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree and became the Buddha, or “Awakened One.” His teachings focused on the Four Noble Truths, which explain suffering and its solution through the Noble Eightfold Path. This path outlines a way to live ethically and mindfully, promoting liberation from suffering.

The Buddha spent the rest of his life teaching across Northern India, gathering followers and creating a monastic community. His teachings emphasized compassion, self-discipline, and mindfulness, spreading across generations and cultures. Over time, these teachings evolved into Buddhism, a major spiritual tradition that still guides millions worldwide toward peace and wisdom.