Overview of Buddhist Beliefs

• Buddhism


  A religion founded by Siddhartha Gautama in the 5th century BCE, emphasizing the pursuit of enlightenment and liberation from suffering.
• Gods/Devas


  Impermanent beings believed in by Buddhists, distinct from the concept of God in Christianity. They are not considered eternal or all-powerful.
• Theravada Buddhism


  An orthodox branch of Buddhism that strictly follows the Pali Canon, the original Buddhist scriptures, without incorporating additional texts.
• Mahayana Buddhism


  A diverse collection of Buddhist schools of thought, including Pure Land and Zen Buddhism, that emerged as an alternative to Theravada Buddhism.
• Pali Canon


  The sacred scriptures of Theravada Buddhism, containing the teachings of the Buddha and considered authoritative by Theravada practitioners.
• Sutras

  Additional teachings followed by Mahayana Buddhists alongside the Pali Canon, providing guidance on various aspects of Buddhist practice and philosophy.
• Aim of Buddhism


  The ultimate goal of Buddhism is to attain liberation from the cycle of rebirth, known as samsara, and achieve the state of enlightenment.
• Rebirth


  The belief in the continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, where energy and consciousness are constantly changing and evolving.
• No Soul


  Buddhists do not believe in a fixed, permanent soul or self (atman). Instead, they perceive the self as a constantly changing and interconnected process.
• Nirvana/Nibbana


  The ultimate goal of Buddhist practice, representing the state of enlightenment, liberation from suffering, and the cessation of the cycle of rebirth.
• Buddha

  A person who has attained enlightenment and awakened to the true nature of reality. The Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, is the founder of Buddhism.