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From this point on he was no longer Siddhartha he was now Buddha. Initially Buddha was reluctant to share his teachings with the world because what he now knew could not be communicated through words. Although he was unsure whether the common man would be able to comprehend his teachings his compassion persuaded him to at least make an attempt. His first sermon was in the Deer Park in Isipatana to his five disciples who had abandoned him. The Buddha then dedicated his life to teaching others this middle path that could lead them to realize enlightenment for themselves. For 40 years he tirelessly traveled and taught his teachings until he passed away in Kusinagara at the age of 80 due to alleged food poisoning. His final words to his followers were "Behold, O monks, this is my last advice to you. All component things in the world are changeable. They are not lasting. Work hard to gain your own salvation. " .
After the Buddha's death his community of disciples compiled and continued his teachings. The most important and fundamental aspects of the Buddha's teachings are condensed in the "four noble truths ": .
1. The normal condition of this world is misery and suffering;.
2. Suffering stems from desire or attachment to this world that is in its essence impermanent;.
3. The end of suffering can be attained by quelling attachment to this world;.
4. Quelling attachment can be achieved through following the eightfold path of right views, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration.
Over the next twelve centuries after Buddha's death Buddhism began to spread out throughout Asia. Buddhism has broken off into three major traditions. These traditions are Theravada Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism, and Vajrayana Buddhism. Although these are the three most popular philosophical schools of Buddhism it has also developed in unique ways due to the cultural environments in which it spread.
