Devoted followers of Buddhism are a part of a group called sangha. Sangha includes both monks and nuns. Trademarks of sangha members are shaves heads and robes made of unsewn cloth. The groujp is governed by the rules of Vinaya. These rules allow the sangha to live without causing harm to people or the environment.

Others whom practice Buddhism, but are not apart of the sangha, worship individually. Often prayers and chants are made as well as offerings of fruit, flowers, and incense. Different branches worship in different ways. Those who believe in Zen, Buddhism meditate to discover their inner Buddha nature, while Pure Lands give homage to the Buddha often. Buddha's Birthday is celebrated in all Buddhist countries. All who practice the religion also worship by reciting the Three Rufuges, "I take refuge in the Buddha. I take refuge in the dharma. I take refuge in the sangha."

To reach the state of enlightenment is to understand the Four Noble Truths. These four truths are: (1) life is suffering; (2) All suffering is caused by igrornance of the nature of reality and the craving, attachment, and grasping that results from such ignorance; (3) Suffering can be ended by overcoming ignorance and attatchment; and (4) The path to the suppression of suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path.

The Noble Eightfold Path is eight steps that lead to wiser lives. The eight steps are: (1) right understanding of Buddha's teachings; (2) right attitude, positive thinking; (3) right speech; (4) right action (helping others); 5) right work (doing a useful job); (6) right effort (doing good things); (7) right mindfulness (thinking before you speak or act; and (8) right meditation (developing a calm, happy mind.)

Enforcing these eight steps is a concept called Karma. Karma is a person's acts and consequences for these acts. Good deeds are rewarded, while evil ones are punished. Different kinds of Karma determine what you will be reborn as.

Buddhists also believe that human existence is made up of five different bundles, or skandhas. These are: the material body, feelings, perceptions, predispositions, and consciousness. These bundles do not stay the same for two moments, they are ever changing.

Another important aspect in Buddha's teaching was anatam, of the denial of a permanent soul. He taught this to help humans overcome suffering.

The ultimate goal of a Buddhist is to reach nirvana. Nirvana is an enlightened state in which greed, hatred, and ignorance do not exist. It is a state of consciousness beyond definition. You reach nirvana after death if you have previously been enlightened.