​Buddhism originated in Northern India over 2500 years ago. From there it spread to China, Japan and Tibet. Today it is practised throughout the world and is one of Britain’s fastest growing religions. Like other religions it has its own teachings and practises; centred around the Buddha, the Dharma - the Buddha’s teaching and the Sangha – the spiritual community. Buddhists show reverence to an ‘extraordinary man’- Siddartha Gautama. The concept of a creator God does not feature in Buddhism. Central to its teaching however, as in other religions, is the concept of transcendence, of ‘going beyond’ ordinary consciousness. Buddhists believe that true happiness is a state of mind which can be attained through meditation.