Buddhism is a tradition that focuses on personal spiritual development. Buddhists strive for a deep insight into the true nature of life and do not worship gods or deities.

Sects of Buddhism

Theravada Buddhism

Theravada Buddhism is strongest in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Burma (Myanmar). It is sometimes called Southern Buddhism and is one of the largest subdivisions of Buddhism.

Mahayana Buddhism

Mahayana Buddhism is not a single group but a collection of Buddhist traditions.

Korean Zen Buddhism

Korean Zen (Son) Buddhism focuses on the enlightenment of a sudden awakening.

Nichiren Buddhism

Nichiren Buddhism differs from other schools of Buddhism in focusing on this world, and in its view that it is the only correct tradition.

Pure Land Buddhism

Pure Land Buddhism offers a way to enlightenment for people who can't handle the subtleties of meditation, endure long rituals, or just live especially good lives.

Tibetan Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism is a religion in exile, forced from its homeland when Tibet was conquered by the Chinese. This article is a detailed look at its history and practices.

Zen Buddhism

The essence of Zen Buddhism is achieving enlightenment by seeing one's original mind (or original nature) directly; without the intervention of the intellect.

The New Kadampa Tradition

Some Buddhists and non-Buddhists regard the New Kadampa Tradition as a cult, but the organisation has continued to grow.

Buddhist teachings

These are the basic teachings and concepts in Buddhism.

Karma

Actions have consequences; so our lives are conditioned by our past actions.

Rebirth

Consciousness continues after death, and finds expression in a future life.

Liberation from karma

By following the Buddha's path one escapes the cycle of craving and suffering.

The Four Noble Truths

These are the essentials of Buddhism.

Enlightenment

The highest goal of life is to reach Enlightenment; a state of being that goes beyond suffering.

Dharma

The teachings and hence the way to nirvana.

The core of Buddhist teaching

At the heart of the Buddha's teaching lie The Four Noble Truths and The Eightfold Path which lead the Buddhist towards the path of Enlightenment.

Facing the truth

The Buddha taught that the human tendency is to avoid the difficult truths of life and this in turn leads to suffering. By enabling the mind to be at peace through meditation a human being can confront reality and overcome hatred and craving.

Buddhism is a spiritual tradition that focuses on personal spiritual development and the attainment of a deep insight into the true nature of life.

Buddhism teaches that all life is interconnected, so compassion is natural and important.

• Buddhism is 2,500 years old
  
• There are currently 376 million followers worldwide
• Buddhism arose as a result of Siddhartha Gautama's quest for Enlightenment in around the 6th Century BCE
• There is no belief in a personal God. It is not centred on the relationship between humanity and God
• Buddhists believe that nothing is fixed or permanent - change is always possible
• The two main Buddhist sects are Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism, but there are many more
  
• Buddhism is a very colourful faith with many festivals throughout the year
• Buddhists can worship both at home or at a temple

The path to Enlightenment is through the practice and development of morality, meditation and wisdom.