50 Figures

Gautama Buddha (c. 563–483 BCE) – The Prince Who Renounced Wealth Born as Prince Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha renounced his royal life after witnessing human suffering and realizing that wealth could not provide true fulfillment. He pursued extreme asceticism for years before discovering the "Middle Way," which balances material necessity with spiritual discipline. He taught that attachment to worldly possessions leads to suffering and that a life of moderation, meditation, and ethical living brings inner peace. His emphasis on non-attachment has influenced countless spiritual traditions, encouraging followers to seek happiness not through wealth but through mindfulness, wisdom, and compassion. 50 Figures