Buddhism

Buddhism was founded in the 5th century BCE by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) in northern India. It teaches the Four Noble Truths about suffering and the Eightfold Path as a way to end suffering and achieve enlightenment (nirvana), which is liberation from the cycle of rebirth. Classical Buddhism does not posit a creator God like the Catholic understanding of God, and it does not center on sin and atonement through Christ.

Instead it emphasizes wisdom, ethical conduct, and mental discipline. There are monastic communities, rituals, and scriptures (sutras), but no pope or magisterium equivalent to that of Roman Catholicism. Different branches (Theravāda, Mahāyāna, Vajrayāna) have distinct practices and doctrines but share a common goal of awakening and compassion for all beings.