Buddhism is a religion and philosophy founded in ancient India and based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who is known as the Buddha. It is a nontheistic tradition that emphasizes the cultivation of mindfulness, wisdom, and compassion through the practice of meditation and the adoption of ethical principles.
The central teachings of Buddhism are known as the Four Noble Truths, which state that suffering is an inherent part of life, that the cause of suffering is craving and attachment to impermanent things, that suffering can be overcome through the cessation of craving and attachment, and that the path to the cessation of suffering is the noble Eightfold Path. The noble Eightfold Path consists of right understanding, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. Buddhists believe that following the noble Eightfold Path leads to the attainment of nirvana, a state of perfect peace and enlightenment.
In addition to the Four Noble Truths and the noble Eightfold Path, Buddhism also teaches the concepts of reincarnation and karma. It is a way of life that encourages individuals to cultivate inner peace and overcome suffering through ethical living and the cultivation of wisdom and compassion.