Buddhism is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, a historical Indian Prince, known as the Buddha, meaning "The Enlightened One." For centuries after his death, the Buddha's teachings were preserved orally by countless monks who memorized and repeated the lessons. It is perhaps inevitable that over the centuries, even after the Buddha's words were recorded, conflicting interpretations of the Buddha's teachings appeared, resulting in many different sects or schools.

Buddhism eventually divided into two major branches known as Theravada, the "Way of the Elders" or the "Lesser Vehicle," and Mahayana, the "Great Vehicle."

Theravada Buddhism claims to perpetuate the true teachings and practices of the historical Buddha, who is honored as a supremely gifted, yet mortal, teacher. It is maintained that no universe can bear more than one Buddha without shattering. This sect traced its descent from the original monastic community that accompanied Buddha. The ultimate goal of the devotee is to become an arhat, a sage who has achieved nirvana or enlightenment and has transcended the cycle of rebirths.

Followers of Mahayana Buddhism have traditionally regarded their doctrine as the full revelation of the nature and teachings of Buddha. The Buddha is seen as a supernatural being who in one of his infinite number of lives, assumed human form to be born as Siddhartha. The Mahayana ideal is the Bodhisattva, a being who has achieved enlightenment but foregoes final nirvana in order to guide others to salvation. Certain Bodhissatvas are worshipped almost as deities. These include Avalokitesvara, the bodhisattva of compassion, known as Guanyin, the goddess of mercy, in China, who serves as a protector of women and children.

Other important sects of Buddhism are Zen or Chan Buddhism, which represents a fusion between Mahayana Buddhism and the Chinese philosophy, Daoism. Zen advocated the practice of meditation and the study of nature as the manifestation of Buddha. Zen practices strongly influenced artists, especially painters. Another sect known as Pure Land Buddhism offered the hope of rebirth in an eternal Paradise. A dying man who sincerely praised Buddha could summon a bodhisattva to carry him to the Pure Land.

Buddhism spread beyond India into most of Asia-- China, Japan, Korea, the Himalayan countries, Southeast Asia and Indonesia-- although by the 13th century it had virtually disappeared in India. Many regional variations and sects developed as Buddhism was integrated into other cultures and Buddhist art is richly diverse as a result.