What is buddhism?

Buddhism is a religion and philosophy that originated in ancient India around the 6th century BCE. It is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who became known as the Buddha, which means "enlightened one." Buddhism emphasizes the importance of mindfulness, meditation, and ethical behavior in order to achieve enlightenment and liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara). Buddhists believe in the Four Noble Truths, which explain the nature of suffering and the path to end it, as well as the Eightfold Path, which outlines the practices that lead to enlightenment. Buddhism has various traditions and schools, including Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana, and is practiced by millions of people around the world.