At the heart of Buddhism is the figure of the Buddha himself. Born in Lumbini (in Nepal) between 400 and 480 BCE, it is the Buddha's life and teachings that is the basis for the rich, diverse and colorful Buddhist tradition that flourishes to day. Burdened down with the awareness that life seemed to afford no lasting satisfaction, through his own efforts the Buddha attained enlightenment, a state of being in which suffering and its causes are dispelled forever.