It is currently practiced mainly in Southeast Asia, but has adherents around the world, because of both immigration and conversions. Buddhism mingled with Confucianism and Taoism in China and with Shinto in Japan, but neither country is considered to be a Buddhist country. We are here to attain nirvana, the cessation of suffering. Life is suffering, according to Buddha, and the cycle of samsana or reincarnation perpetuates this suffering. Through nirvana, or enlightenment, one can reach a place where suffering and pain do not exist.
Life is thought to be illusory, and nirvana is considered attainment of true life.
Related to nirvana is the concept of karma, or the idea that good conduct brings a pleasant and happy result and creates a tendency toward similar good acts. Likewise, bad conduct brings about evil results and creates a tendency toward similar evil acts. Karma affects how long it takes a person to achieve nirvana, and the process often takes many lifetimes. When Gautama was born he is believed to have said this is the last birth I shall endure, a prophetic statement pointing to his achievement of nirvana. The Tipitaka is the main Buddhist scripture and is ascribed directly or indirectly to Buddha.