Buddhism has two main traditions practiced by believers, Mahayana and Theravada, with Theravada being the more conservative of the two. Theravada practitioners believe that their version of the scripture is the oldest and most closely aligned to the Buddha’s teachings.

Theravada Buddhism emphasises attaining self-liberation through one’s own efforts. Meditation and concentration are vital elements of the way to enlightenment. The ideal road is to dedicate oneself to full-time monastic life.

Whereas Theravada Buddhists strive to become Arhats and gain freedom from the cycle of samsara, Mahayana Buddhists may choose to stay in the cycle of samsara out of compassion for others.

Theravada Buddhism is considered the oldest and claims to maintain Buddha’s original vision and teachings. All three schools maintain a belief in the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path as preached by the Buddha but differ – sometimes significantly – in how they choose to follow that path.

Mahayana Buddhist believe that the right path of a follower will lead to the redemption of all human beings. The Hinayana believe that each person is responsible for his own fate. Along with these doctrines there are other Buddhist beliefs like ‘Zen Buddhism’ from Japan and the ‘Hindu Tantric Buddhism’ from Tibet.

When you achieve nirvana, you stop accumulating bad karma because you’ve transcended it. You spend the rest of your life and sometimes future lives “working off” the bad karma you’ve already accumulated. Once you have fully escaped the karmic cycle, you achieve parinirvana — final nirvana — in the afterlife.

the state of perfect happiness and peace

The complete cessation of suffering; a blissful state attained through realization of no-self; enlightenment. In non-Buddhist usage, state of paradise; heightened or great pleasure.

The Buddha himself is said to have realized nirvana when he achieved enlightenment at the age of 35. Although he destroyed the cause of future rebirth, he continued to live for another 45 years. When he died, he entered nirvana, never to be born again.

In Buddhism, dharma is the doctrine, the universal truth common to all individuals at all times, proclaimed by the Buddha. Dharma, the Buddha, and the sangha (community of believers) make up the Triratna, “Three Jewels,” to which Buddhists go for refuge.