Buddhism first flourished in China during the Han Dynasty. Originally a radical form of Hinduism, Buddhism came to China from India and has since spread to the rest of Asia and beyond. It was founded during 4th or 5th century BC in Nepal by Siddhartha Gautama, who is more commonly known as Shakyamuni and acknowledged by Buddhists as the Supreme Buddha.

Buddhism believes in the purity of mind and action, and the accumulation of karma by doing good deeds and avoiding bad ones. With sufficient karma, a practitioner attains a state of nirvana and Buddha-hood – the end of suffering brought by a cyclical existence.

Some Buddhist deities:

Gautama Buddha - Siddharta Gautama is known the Supreme Buddha, and the key figure in Buddhism. According to early Buddhist texts, the founder of Buddhism was originally the son of a king. He became a monk to search for a way to overcome human suffering, finally attaining enlightenment and becoming the Buddha.

Kuan Yin - Better known as the Goddess of Mercy, Kuan Yin is venerated by both Buddhists and Taoists as an enlightened being and an immortal. Her name means 'observing the sounds of the human world' while in Sanskrit it is Padma-pâni, or 'born of the lotus'. Kuan Yin is strongly associated with vegetarianism due to her compassion for all living creatures, and also worshipped as a symbol of fertility.

Amitabha - According to the sutras, Amitabha or 'boundless light' was a monk in 5th century AD who attained enlightenment and became a Buddha. Often portrayed in the main prayer halls of Buddhist temples alongside Gautama Buddha, he has many followers in China and south-east Asia and is the subject of the Buddhist prayer Namah Amitabha, or 'hear us, Amida Buddha'.

Maitreya Buddha - Also known as the Coming Messiah, Maitreya – which means 'gentleness' – is always portrayed as a laughing stout Buddha. Worshipped in Chinese Buddhist temples all over the world, his birthday also falls on the day of the auspicious Chinese New Year.

The Four Heavenly Kings - Buddhist legend describes four heavenly kings that protect this world, each leading a mighty celestial army against evil and responsible for the four cardinal directions. They originate from Hindu mythology and are known as Shitenno in Japan.