Historical context
Buddhism began in ancient South Asia and spread through Asia and the world in many languages and forms.
Explore all traditions
Tradition guide · Introductory scope
What is Buddhism?
A family of traditions rooted in the teachings associated with Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, and paths toward awakening.
Start here
A useful first lens
Begin with the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, then learn how different Buddhist communities interpret and live them.
Start with this guideFaithPost Note
This is a beginner-friendly introduction for respectful learning, not a complete account of every lived expression. FaithPost reviews guides as they are updated and welcomes context that improves their care and accuracy.
God / ultimate reality
Buddhist traditions do not center a creator God in the same way as many theistic traditions; questions of reality and liberation are approached differently across schools.
Sacred texts
The Pali , Mahayana sutras, tantras, commentaries, and local teaching lineages are important in different communities.
Practices
Meditation, ethical precepts, chanting, offerings, study, compassion practices, and support for monastic communities are common.
Community life
Lay and monastic communities, temples, centers, and teachers shape practice.
Branches and schools
Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana are common introductory categories, though each contains many lineages.
Major holidays
Vesak and other observances are kept differently across regions and schools.
Build context
Explore Buddhism through connected topics
Use these topic paths to find published FaithPost guides and definitions. They are a starting point for deeper study, not a substitute for the voices and sources within a tradition.
Learning Path · 3 parts
Follow the full path for Buddhism
A planned three-part sequence moving from foundational ideas to practices and deeper internal context in Buddhism.
Open the learning path →Watch & learn
Videos about Buddhism
Academic / educational·Public and embed-eligible
The Five Major World Religions
TED-Ed · John Bellaimey
A fast orientation to five globally influential traditions.
Academic / educational·Public and embed-eligible
Buddha and Ashoka
CrashCourse
Early Buddhism and Ashoka in a wider South Asian setting.
Academic / educational·Public and embed-eligible
The Life of the Buddha
CrashCourse
The Buddha’s life story and foundational Buddhist ideas.
Branches & scripture
Explore Buddhism communities
Each profile begins with the specific scripture or canon associated with that community. Where no distinct edition is confirmed, FaithPost says so plainly.
School · Buddhist tradition
Theravada Buddhism
A Buddhist tradition with a distinct regional, philosophical, or lineage context.
Scripture and canon details
School · Buddhist tradition
Mahayana Buddhism
A Buddhist tradition with a distinct regional, philosophical, or lineage context.
Scripture and canon details
School · Buddhist tradition
Vajrayana Buddhism
A Buddhist tradition with a distinct regional, philosophical, or lineage context.
Scripture and canon details
School · Buddhist tradition
Zen / Chan / Seon / Thiền
A Buddhist tradition with a distinct regional, philosophical, or lineage context.
Scripture and canon details
School · Buddhist tradition
Pure Land Buddhism
A Buddhist tradition with a distinct regional, philosophical, or lineage context.
Scripture and canon details
School · Buddhist tradition
Nichiren Buddhism
A Buddhist tradition with a distinct regional, philosophical, or lineage context.
Scripture and canon details
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