Spreading from India to Central and Southeast Asia, China, Korea, and Japan, Buddhism has played a central role in the spiritual, cultural, and social life of Asia, and, beginning in the 20th century, it spread to the West.
Buddhism is a faith that was founded by Siddhartha Gautama—also known as “the Buddha”—more than 2,500 years ago in India. With an estimated 500 million to one billion followers, scholars consider...
While there are many important differences among Buddhists across time and space, the core of Buddhist belief can be found in the teachings of the Buddha’s first sermon, which have come to be known as the Four Noble Truths.
Buddhism for Beginners is your free gateway to the vast and varied world of the Buddha’s teachings. Created for those new to Buddhism, it offers a clear, accessible starting point for exploring Buddhist teachings, history, and practice.