Buddhism is a religion based on the teachings of Buddha. Buddha taught that 1) life permates around suffering, 2) humanity suffers because of their desires, 3) to overcome desires, one must obtain nirvana, and 4) to obtain nirvana, one must follow the eight-fold path (Right Views, Right Resolve, Right Speech, Right Conduct, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration). These are known as the four noble truths. Buddha accepted the concepts of karma and samsara, but rejected the idea of the Brahman and atman. Buddha also taught different understandings of reality and psychology which was based on the idea of anicca; that reality is not permanent and predictable but rather transient and changing. Thus all things flow according to cause and effect. The idea that there is a self, or ego, is an illusion. Buddhism teaches anatman or anatta, No Self. Acting on this illusion of the Self leads to dissatisfaction in existence - Dukkha.
Buddhism teaches that karmic cause and effect leads to the generation of energy, a process called dependent co-arising. The workings of karma cause those energies to coalesce as five bundles of energy called skandhas. The skandhas are: Body (rupa), Perception (jamjna), Feelings (vedana), Inherent Impulses (karmic predispositions, samskaras), Consciousness/Reasoning (vijnana). These are always in flux and disperse at death. Karma causes them to reform as a new existence unless the chain of cause and effect is broken.
by ♫ Highway to Hell ♫ June 1, 2010
Buddhism is a religion which has its beginnings with Siddharta Gautama, a prince who gave up material possessions in order to meditate, always searching for the reasons of life. He came up with the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, things which also Buddhists live by. Siddharta became known as the Buddha, and despite those fat, bald little Buddhas you may have seen, looked nothing like them.
Buddhism generally calls for a passive way of life, giving up material possessions in the search for truth and enlightenment. This is usually done through hours and hours of meditation.
by ♫ Highway to Hell ♫ December 2, 2010
by woz300 January 25, 2009
An offshoot of Brahminism/Vedism taught by the Indian Prince Gautama Siddhartha, which declared that there was no permanent self (Atman) and that liberation from suffering was to be found not by worshipping gods but by escaping from the cycle of birth and death. According to Gautama Buddha, suffering and rebirth are caused by attachment to things which are devoid of independent existence and thus impermanent.
While generally classified as a religion, Buddhism is probably more accurately described as a spiritual path. However, many Buddhist sects contain strong religious elements.
Buddha himself told his disciples that understanding in Buddhism should be established through personal insight rather than faith or revelation.
Some modern Buddhists, especially in the West, do not accept the ideas of karma and rebirth (after death) at face value.
While generally classified as a religion, Buddhism is probably more accurately described as a spiritual path. However, many Buddhist sects contain strong religious elements.
Buddha himself told his disciples that understanding in Buddhism should be established through personal insight rather than faith or revelation.
Some modern Buddhists, especially in the West, do not accept the ideas of karma and rebirth (after death) at face value.
Sokka Gakkai believers who chant for personal gain and belief-free Western Zen practitioners are Buddhists.
by Buddhabing August 10, 2005
Buddhism is a religion (not just a "philosophy") practiced by millions of people, primarily in Southeast Asia, China, Japan, and (increasingly) in the U.S. It is actually the most diverse family of religions, and the only major religion never to have sponsored a holy war. Founded by Siddhartha Gautama in northern India in the 6th Century B.C.E., Buddhism teaches that life is suffering, that the suffering is caused by desire and other delusions, and that overcoming these delusions will extinguish the suffering.
Most Buddhists believe in reincarnation, and strive to achieve Nirvana (enlightenment) and thus get off the 'wheel of rebirth' (in other words, cease being reincarnated). This can be interpreted as "nonexistence," or as graduating to a higher plane of existence -- being reunited with the universe itself.
Most Buddhists believe in reincarnation, and strive to achieve Nirvana (enlightenment) and thus get off the 'wheel of rebirth' (in other words, cease being reincarnated). This can be interpreted as "nonexistence," or as graduating to a higher plane of existence -- being reunited with the universe itself.
Buddhism neither believes nor disbelieves in God; it is simply not considered an important question. But Buddhists do believe in the soul and afterlife (reincarnation). Buddhism is the most philosophical, contemplative, and psychologically oriented of all the major religions.
by Jonas Smithson August 15, 2005
the belief that life is a cycle that causes suffering.
Suffering is perpetuated by roughly 3 things:
1.birth
2.life
3.death
Through meditation, one can free themselves of this cycle by reaching
nirvana.
It also extends to the fact that everything in life comes from all other things, and that those things came from something else and etc.
Suffering is perpetuated by roughly 3 things:
1.birth
2.life
3.death
Through meditation, one can free themselves of this cycle by reaching
nirvana.
It also extends to the fact that everything in life comes from all other things, and that those things came from something else and etc.
Example of the suffering cycle:
-A bird dies, and the body's nutrients decay into the ground.
-A berry bush is planted at the same location years later.
-Someone eats a berry from the bush, which in turn is eating the nutrients from the bird.
-This perpetuates life and essentially the suffering cycle.
You can apply this idea towards: space, recycling, and even humans.
-A bird dies, and the body's nutrients decay into the ground.
-A berry bush is planted at the same location years later.
-Someone eats a berry from the bush, which in turn is eating the nutrients from the bird.
-This perpetuates life and essentially the suffering cycle.
You can apply this idea towards: space, recycling, and even humans.
by Oliver Brody January 6, 2005
The teaching that existence is suffering, and how to end suffering.
Usually Four Noble truths, or a bunch of upper middle class women doing Yoga, who have no idea about anything but recent news and pretty androgynous statues.
Usually Four Noble truths, or a bunch of upper middle class women doing Yoga, who have no idea about anything but recent news and pretty androgynous statues.
by Princess-Z-z-z July 17, 2021