Eastern Religions

Shrine with Buddha in the shape of a lotus (Yale University Art Gallery)

1. Buddhism

Part religion and part philosophy, Buddhism offers its adherents a way of life based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, also known as the Buddha. Through a long tradition that extends from the Buddha to such figures as Shantideva, adherents learn to follow a path to mindfulness, wisdom, enlightenment, and rebirth.