In short: Buddhists follow the Buddha's teaching that life involves suffering, that suffering has causes, that it can end, and that there is a path to its end. Core ideas are the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, karma, rebirth, impermanence and not-self. Buddhism is practised more than believed: you are invited to test the teaching.
The core teachings
- Suffering (dukkha): unsatisfactoriness is part of life. See dukkha.
- Cause: craving and clinging.
- End: suffering can cease.
- Path: ethics, meditation and wisdom.
Belief or practice?
In the Kalama Sutta the Buddha encourages people to examine teachings for themselves instead of accepting them on authority. Practice is daily: the five precepts, meditation, generosity.
Do all Buddhists believe the same?
No. Traditions differ on rebirth, ritual and emphasis. See schools of Buddhism.
Start practising: how to become a Buddhist · practise Buddhism at home
Common questions: religion or philosophy? · do Buddhists pray? · Buddhist heaven and hell
Questions people ask
Do Buddhists believe in God?
Buddhism does not teach a creator god. The Buddha taught a path to the end of suffering through ethics, meditation and wisdom, not through worship of a deity.
Do Buddhists believe in rebirth?
Most traditions teach rebirth driven by karma, though some modern teachers focus on this life. See our page on rebirth for how different traditions understand it.
What is the main goal of Buddhism?
The end of suffering, called nibbana in the early teachings, reached by following the Noble Eightfold Path.