Buddhism is one of the most widely practiced religions in the world, along with Islam and Christianity . The religion originated around 2,500 years ago in southern Asia. The Buddha, or enlightened one, preached Buddhism in northern India and began the religion. The objective in Buddhism is to obtain Nirvana, the freedom from all physical desires. The Four Noble Truths are used to obtain Nirvana.

These truths are: 1. Suffering exists. 2. Suffering arises from attachment to desires. 3. Suffering ceases when attachment to desire ceases. 4. Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Eightfold Path. The Noble Eightfold path is: right view, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right contemplation. Buddhists believe in reincarnation, and by Nirvana you would be free from the cycle of rebirth. Buddhists also believe in Karma, the good and bad deeds of past lives added up to result in punishment or reward in future lives.The three characters of existence are transiency, sorrow, and selflessness. The four boundless states are, loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity.