Buddha Taught the Middle Way to End Suffering

"Buddha was born in or around 563 B.C. into a religious milieu which had in its tradition two distinct approaches to the pursuit and personal discovery of the Truth. The first approach was that of sharpening one's intellect through active engagement in philosophical inquiries. Truth was sought through metaphysical debates and discussions. This approach placed strong emphasis on the power of ration...al knowledge. The second way was to enter into seclusion and solitude and to search for the Truth in personal silence. Here the emphasis was placed on renunciation, detachment, and an ascetical way of life. Eschewing the first approach, Buddha deliberately and decisively chose the second. Mauna, rendered in English as "silence," was the chief characteristic trait of this path." - A. J. V. Chandrakanthan
Actually with all due respect, Buddha chose the MIDDLE WAY - He also renounced the renunciates! He taught not to punish yourself with more suffering to be on The path - "the goal is to leave suffering behind." However, the information about "silence" is correct.

Wikipedia: "The term Middle Way was used in the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, the first teaching that the Buddha delivered after his awakening.^[c] In this sutta the Buddha describes the middle way as a path of moderation, between the extremes of sensual indulgence and self-mortification. This, according to him, was the path of wisdom."

W Timothy Palmer

If I recall correctly, Buddha first pursued the ascetic path. Starvation to the point of skeletal appearance--a sort of extreme sport of denial of the physical self. However, this seemed fruitles. He had had an experience as a youth, si...tting in the shade, while his dad, who was royalty, performed a ritual initiating the spring plowing. Pursuing that memory, he achieved bliss there under the Bodhi Tree and came close to never engaging with this reality again. Fortunately, he got caught up in teaching his new point of view to his first students--seven of his old yogi buddies from back in the days of denial of the flesh

Ra Divakar Thanks, W. W Timothy Palmer - His goal was "end of suffering" and he achieved with his gentle (yes, in the shade) yet mostly silent Middle Way Meditation, and then out of compassion, he started teaching what he achieved.

Ra Divakar And Yes, W Timothy Palmer : "Fortunately, he got caught up in teaching his new point of view to his first students--seven of his old yogi buddies from back in the days of denial of the flesh.." May all Beings be happy and free!.