5 Most Popular Religions in the World

4. Buddhism

No. of Adherents: 506 million

Buddhism encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs, and practices based on the teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha or “Enlightened One.” The core principles of Buddhism revolve around the Four Noble Truths, which address the nature of suffering (dukkha) and the path to liberation from suffering through the Noble Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path consists of ethical conduct (right speech, action, livelihood), mental discipline (right effort, mindfulness, concentration), and wisdom (right understanding, intention). Buddhism emphasizes meditation as a means to cultivate mindfulness, insight, and spiritual awakening. Buddhist traditions vary widely, including Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana, Zen, and Tibetan Buddhism, each with its own practices, rituals, and interpretations of Buddhist teachings.