The religion based upon the doctrine originally taught by
   the Hindoo sage Gautama Siddartha, surnamed Buddha, "the awakened or
   enlightened," in the sixth century b. c., and adopted as a religion by
   the greater part of the inhabitants of Central and Eastern Asia and the
   Indian Islands. Buddha's teaching is believed to have been atheistic;
   yet it was characterized by elevated humanity and morality. It presents
   release from existence (a beatific enfranchisement, Nirvana) as the
   greatest good. Buddhists believe in transmigration of souls through all
   phases and forms of life. Their number was estimated in 1881 at
   470,000,000.