Over its long {article1726|history}, {article1498|Buddhism} has taken a wide variety of forms. The {article998|Mahayana tradition} tends to emphasize rituals and the worship of deities, while {article1253|Theravada Buddhism} rejects rituals and gods in favor of pure {article770|meditation}. Yet all forms of Buddhism share respect for the teachings of the {article1299|Buddha} and the goal of ending suffering and the {article1310|cycle of rebirth}.
The following comparison chart provides an introduction to the similarities and differences between {article1253|Theravada Buddhism} and {article998|Mahayana Buddhism}.