Buddhism and Hinduism claim more than a billion adherents between them on the Eastern Hemisphere. These two ancient faiths are also attracting growing numbers of Western converts, bringing them to the forefront of American life. Here are some of the basic facts you might want to know:

Hinduism, the oldest organized religion in the world, came into being approximately 4,000 years ago. It has no “founder” per se and is perhaps not so much a unified religious body as it is an assemblage of local beliefs, gods, heroes, and mythologies that share common elements with each other and with Buddhism. Both Hindus and Buddhists believe in the concept of karma, the idea that one’s actions influence the way in which one perceives reality, and in the idea of reincarnation, which states that we are reborn in an endless cycle, the position partially determined by our karma. The self, known as atman, is viewed differently by different groups of Hindus, but many seek to unify it with Brahman by breaking down external divisions and engaging in ritual and philosophical practices designed to bring one closer to the ultimate reality. Hindus follow a multifarious array of deities and heroes, and Brahman should not be misunderstood as simply a Hindu equivalent of the Judeo-Christian God. Different sects of Hindus devote themselves to the gods Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma (not to be confused with Brahman.) Their scriptures, the Vedas and the Upanishads, stand alongside national epics such as the Ramayana and the Mahabarata to form a rich cultural tapestry of faith that dictates a wide array of rituals and practice. Yoga was originally a Hindu devotional practice, and many Hindus perform puja, or offerings to a shrine or image.

Introductory Titles: Hinduism by Vasudha Narayanan (Oxford University Press, 978-0-19-522144-2); Back to the Truth: 5000 years of Advaita by Dennis Waite (O Books, 978-1-905047-61-1).

Buddhism was founded in the fifth century BCE by a prince named Siddartha Gautama in modern-day Nepal. Known today as Buddha, this spiritual iconoclast was raised in opulent surroundings by his protective father, never allowed to see old age, sickness, or death. Once he saw these three phenomena, he was inspired to strike out on his own to achieve a more profound and meaningful existence. After leaving his family, he sought the reverse of his previous life, becoming an ascetic and vowing to meditate until he discovered the truth. Buddhists practice a code of nonviolence, avoiding excessive attachment to ideas, people, and possessions, and meditate regularly to cultivate the values of mindfulness and lovingkindness. While there are many subdivisions, there are two practices today. The Theravadan school, the most traditional, practiced in Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka and the Mahayana school that emphasizes compassion and dedication to the liberation of all sentient beings. This latter includes the commonly known Zen and Pure Land traditions practiced in China, Japan, and Korea, and the esoteric Tibetan Vajrayana school concerned with mysticism, ritual, and immediate enlightenment.

Introductory Titles:Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind by Shinryu Suzuki (Shambhala, 978-1-59030-267-5); Essential Tibetan Buddhism by Robert Thurman (HarperOne, 978-0-06-251051-8).