The philosophy of Buddhism was intensely rationalistic. It believed in the law of karma and rebirth. The present is determined by the past. A man reaps the consequences of his own actions in his previous birth. Birth is the cause of human suffering and it is within the power of man to get rid of rebirth. The ultimate aim of Buddhism was the attainment of Nirvana or the extinction of the desire for rebirth.
Buddha concluded that one must rise above the changing state (anitya) to an everlasting state of peace (nitya, nirvana). He dealt more with the practices leading to Nirvana than with the exposition of Nirvana or with the theory of karma. One who overcomes the impediments or craving for material and immaterial pleasures of the world, pride, self-righteousness and ignorance he becomes an arhat(worthy) and atains Nirvana. He will not come back to the world of men but will be reborn among the Gods to attain Nirvana.
Buddha was the prophet of non-violence. However compared to Jainism, Buddhism was moderate in its stress on the doctrine of ahimsa or non-violence. The Buddhists, like the Jainas, rejected animal sacrifice in any form.