How many years did the Buddha teach after his enlightenment?

The Buddha taught for 45 years after his enlightenment. Traditional Buddhist accounts place his awakening at Bodh Gaya and his death, or parinirvana, at age 80, leaving a 45-year teaching career.

His first sermon was delivered at the Deer Park in Sarnath to five former companions. This discourse introduced the Middle Way, the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. One of those listeners, Kauṇḍinya, became the first Buddhist monk to attain liberation.

For the next four and a half decades, the Buddha travelled across the Gangetic Plain, teaching monks, nuns, rulers, merchants, householders and people from many social backgrounds. He spent substantial periods near Śrāvastī, Rājagaha and Vesālī, especially during the rainy season when extended travel was difficult.

A common mix-up is confusing the 45 years of teaching with the Buddha’s total lifespan. The traditional lifespan is 80 years, preceded by years of palace life, study and severe ascetic practice before enlightenment.