Buddhism encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and spiritual practices largely based on original teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha, “the awakened one”, and resulting interpreted philosophies combining both philosophical reasoning and meditation.
Buddhism was born in India and spread to Eastern Asia
Two major extant branches of Buddhism are generally recognized by scholars: Theravada (Pali: “The School of the Elders”) and Mahayana (Sanskrit: “The Great Vehicle”).There is also a third tradition Vajrayana ( “Diamond Vehicle” or “Thunderbolt Vehicle”) which is sometimes classified as a part of Mahayana Buddhism
Most Buddhist traditions share the goal of overcoming suffering and the cycle of death and rebirth, either by the attainment of Nirvana or through the path of Buddhahood. This can be achieved by observance of moral precepts, monasticism, meditation, and the cultivation of the Paramitas (perfections)