Buddhism is a major religion
Meaning of name "Buddhism": System taught by the Buddha
Date founded: c. 520 BC
Place founded: Northeastern India
Founder: Siddharta Gautama ("the Buddha"), an Indian prince
Adherents: About 460 million. Size rank: Fourth largest world religion #4
Main locations: China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia
Major divisions: Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana
Sacred texts: Pali Canon (Tripitaka), numerous Mahayana sutras
Original language: Pali
Spiritual leader: Monk (lama in Tibetan Buddhism)
Place of ritual: Temple, meditation hall.
Theism: Varies: Theravada is atheistic; Mahayana is more polytheistic.
Ultimate reality: None. Nothing is permanent.
Human nature: There is no self or soul. Human existence is nothing more than a combination of five impermanent components (khandas).
Purpose of life: Theravada - Become an arhat, escape the cycle of rebirth, and attain nirvana. Mahayana - Become a boddhisatva then help others attain enlightenment.
Afterlife: Rebirth or nirvana. Nirvana is seen simply as the cessation of suffering by some and as a heavenly paradise by others.
Buddha was a Hindu, but did not like some of the teachings in Hinduism. He removed the caste system from his teachings. Buddhism, sharing ancient roots in India, both center on karma, reincarnation, and liberation. Buddhism uses meditation, yoga, and mindfulness to achieve spiritual goals. The karma theory specifies that one's life, and experiences are determined by one's previous acts. If you suffer, it is always your fault as you did something wrong. Hinduism generally holds that deities are expressions of a supreme, universal spirit., but Buddhism does not rely on a creator God. Buddhism seeks Nirvana (extinguishing of suffering) through the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.
What sets Buddhism apart from Hinduism, is the Buddha’s teachings, is that as a group are called the Tripitaka. After he reached Enlightenment, the Buddha taught his revelations in the form of three doctrines. The Four Noble Truths are the core Buddhist lessons and principles: (1) Suffering is real and universal, (2) Suffering is caused by a need for control, (3) Suffering ceases to exist when you reach enlightenment and (4) The Eightfold Path leads to Enlightenment. The Five Precepts are the rules to live by: Do not kill, do not steal, do not lie, do not be immodest, and do not consume drugs. And the Eightfold Path, also called the Middle Path (the path to Enlightenment) is the approach that helps end craving and attachment: (1) Right Understanding, (2) Right Thinking, (3) Right Speech, (4) Right Conduct, (5) Right Livelihood, (6) Right Effort, (7) Right Mindfulness, and (8) Right Concentration. By studying these lessons, a Buddhist may, in time, reach Enlightenment
Buddhism generally ignores the question regarding the origin of life.
See Buddhism Creation Story, see Hindu page for Creation Story