Buddhism as a religion started in the 7th century BC. Buddha Sankhyamuni was the first person that started spreading Buddhism among the common people. He was himself enlightened under a Bodhi tree while he was living in a forest after denouncing his lavish life as the princess. Buddha started showing the common people the path to enlightenment and thereby spreading the religion of Buddhism. Today Buddhism is considered the 4th most practised religion around the world. This shows the popularity this religion has gained with passing time.