He preached that the root cause of all human suffering was desire and that elimination of desire in all forms would lead to nirvana or final freedom. Buddhism started originally as a reaction against the weaknesses of the Vedic religion. In ancient India the Buddha played a key role not only as a founder of new and radical religious philosophy, but also as a great social reformer by preaching his doctrines to one and all without any distinction of caste, class or community. The personal charisma and popularity of the Buddha and the strength and novelty of his teachings, attracted the attention of many people including some prominent rulers of his time and wealthy merchants who became converted to his teachings. The Buddha established a religious Order during his life time and advised the monks to adhere to strict discipline and specific code of conduct to attain the final liberation.
Death is inherent in all component things.
And this is the noble truth of cessation of sorrow. There are two ends which are not to be served by a wanderer. They are the pursuit of desires and of pleasures, and the pursuit of pain and hardship. Pursuit of pleasures springs from desires. It is base, common, leads to rebirth, ignoble and unprofitable.