Buddhism - not a religion in itself but a way of life. It is the life and teachings of Gautama Buddha. Himself being a prince, he renounced all his earthly pleasures and chose to live a life of a simple man. He taught to take a middle way between all extremes, meaning instead of going into extreme monastic life or choosing a life full of pleasures, take a path in between. He showed us how to attain Nirvana.  It is believed that he got his enlightenment while he was meditating underneath a tree called Bodhi Tree. There is a temple in India believed to be the place of that Bodhi tree in the state of Bihar. Even though Buddhism has been affected by the renaissance, Neo buddhist movements have been happening all over world. These movements differ widely from traditional believes and practices.

Reference : Wikipedia and National geographic channel