Young Buddhist monks at a temple in Bagan, Burma.

 Founded in India 2,500 years ago, Buddhism remains the dominant religion of the Far East and is increasingly popular in the West. 

Over its long history Buddhist has developed into a wide variety of forms, ranging from an emphasis on religious rituals and worship of deities to a complete rejection of both rituals and deities in favor of pure meditation. 

But all share in common a great respect for the teachings of the Buddha, "The Enlightened One." Learn more about Buddhism by selecting a topic below.