The founder of Buddhism, Gautam Buddha was a spiritual teacher in the ancient Indian subcontinent. He is believed to have lived between 6th Century and 4th Century BC. He attained divine knowledge, or enlightenment (Bodhi), after six years of fasting and meditation. The statue of Gautam Buddha represents Him as the teacher of the world. Buddhists use similar statues and paintings to show how truth can be attained through meditation and spiritual training. The statue of Buddha is a symbol for wisdom, compassion, serenity and transcendence.