Buddhism Beliefs

Because Buddhism has so many different doctrinal branches and cultural manifestations it’s difficult to name a single universal belief. For example the Buddhist belief system of lay practitioners in Thailand and Myanmar focus on accumulating merit for prosperous rebirth (karma). Pure Land practitioners in Taiwan or Japan put their trust in Amitabha Buddha, believing that chanting Amitabha’s name will result in the rebirth in the Pure Land. The fundamental doctrine that forms the basis for most scholarly and meditative forms of Buddhism is grounded in a “faith” or “conviction” not in external power but rather one’s own capacity to become a Buddha.
Source: Patterns of Religion