Religions of the world

Religion

Buddhism

Buddhism teaches a path to end suffering through understanding, ethical conduct and mental training. It has no creator God at its centre.

Origin5th–4th century BCE, northern India, through Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha)
FollowersAbout 500 million (Pew Research Center, 2015)
ScripturePali Canon (Tripitaka) and Mahayana sutras

At a glance

1Right view2Right intention3Right speech4Right action5Right livelihood6Right effort7Right mindfulness8Right concentrationPath

Core beliefs

Four Noble TruthsSuffering exists, it has causes, it can end, and there is a path to its end.
Eightfold PathEight practices of wisdom, ethics and mental training.
ImpermanenceAll conditioned things change and have no fixed self.
NirvanaThe end of suffering and craving.

Key terms

DharmaThe teaching of the Buddha.
SanghaThe community of practitioners.
NirvanaLiberation from suffering.
KarmaIntentional actions and their results.

Main traditions: Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana. This is a short overview. Each tradition has many branches and practices; for depth, read its primary texts and speak with practitioners.

Follower estimates: Pew Research Center, The Future of World Religions (2015). Figures change over time.