Buddha means "Awakened one" or "Enlightened one. Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, in Sanskrit, or Siddhartha Gotama, in Pali, was a spiritual teacher from ancient India and the founder of Buddhism. He is generally recognized by Buddhists as the Supreme Buddha of our age. The precise nature of such a supreme Buddha - whether "merely" human or a transcendental, immortal, god-transcending being - is differently construed in Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism. Gautama, also known as Sakyamuni or Shakyamuni (sage of the Shakyas), is the key figure in Buddhism, and accounts of his life, discourses, and monastic rules were said to have been summarized after his death and memorized by the sangha. Scholars are increasingly reluctant to make unqualified claims about the historical facts of the Buddha's life and teachings.

Wood carving in India is a traditional art which is passed on by master craftsmen through the generations. Wood craft is the artistic practice of shaping and decorating wooden objects. India has had an ancient tradition of wood carving and wood decoratives. There has been a complete revival of the traditional and antique wood craft, owning to its uniqueness and demand in India and abroad. Indian artisans are experimenting with designs to create a blend of traditional and modern woodcraft. The whole of North India has a tradition of carved wooden doors with intricate designs, brass inlay and trellis work for the windows. Assam, which has extensive forests, has a rich tradition of wood works. Their places of worship included large carvings of mythical figures. In Bengal, the clay houses have large wooden pillars and beams with intricate carvings. Creating elaborate designs in wood by hand, with the help of carving tools is called wood carving. Number of folk forms has been developed in woodwork all over India.