Hinduism has no single founder and no single holy text, unlike most other major religions. It is the result of the overlapping beliefs of the diverse groups that settled in ancient India. Brahman is the all-powerful spiritual force that is the basis to everything. They worship many gods to give a concrete form to Brahman.

Buddhists first two steps in life are to learn and understand the Four Noble Truths and commit themselves to the Eightfold Path. They then must live a moral life, avoiding evil words and actions. They finally achieve enlightenment through meditation. Buddhists final goal in life is to reach nirvana, union with the universe and release from the cycle of rebirth.

Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism

In about 500 BC, the teacher Mahavira founded Jainism. It grew out of Hinduism and still exists today. Mahavira rejected the idea that Brahmin priests alone could perform certain sacred rites. Jainism teachings emphasize self-denial, meditation, and an extreme form of ahimsa.