What are the typical beliefs of Buddhists?

Question

I am thinking of converting to Buddhism, it seems like such an awesome religion. What exactly are their beliefs? Are they vegetarians?

Christians, please do not answer this question with your Jesus talk.

Answer 1

Buddhism has the characteristics of what would be expected in a cosmic religion for the future: it transcends a personal God, avoids dogmas and theology; it covers both the natural & spiritual, and it is based on a religious sense aspiring from the experience of all things, natural and spiritual, as a meaningful unity" A widely cited, but spurious quotation attributed to Albert Einstein 1
"The greatest achievement is selflessness.
The greatest worth is self-mastery.
The greatest quality is seeking to serve others.
The greatest precept is continual awareness.
The greatest medicine is the emptiness of everything.
The greatest action is not conforming with the worlds ways.
The greatest magic is transmuting the passions.
The greatest generosity is non-attachment.
The greatest goodness is a peaceful mind.
The greatest patience is humility.
The greatest effort is not concerned with results.
The greatest meditation is a mind that lets go.
The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances." Atisha.
"If you live the sacred and despise the ordinary, you are still bobbing in the ocean of delusion." Lin-Chi.
"Aware of the suffering caused by the destruction of life, I vow to cultivate compassion and learn ways to protect lives of people, animals, plants, and minerals. I am determined not to kill, not to let others kill, and not to condone any killing in the world, in my thinking, and in my way of life.” Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh.

Blessings )O(

Answer 2

Well like most religions it too has it's varieties. If I were to generalized I would say Buddhism is the quest to find truth and with it alleviate suffering for yourself and others.

There are two main roads this can be accomplished with. The first is the lesser vessel where you mostly focus on yourself (via meditation, etc) and the second is the greater vessel where you spiritually grow through acts of compassion towards others.

Some people think Buddhists think Buddha was God. This is erroneous. Buddha which means enlightenment one was simply fabled to be the first person to attain enlightenment. There is a whole story associated with how this happened but I'll allow you to find out for yourself later.

Know this, Buddhists believe life to be samsara which means suffering and they strive to achieve Nirvana which means to snuff out. The snuffing out of the ego allows a person to reach this state and not have to reincarnate again.

There are however Bodhisattvas, semi-enlightened beings that chose to reincarnate to help other people reach such a state. Many of these enlightened being have vowed not to fully enter Nirvana till the last soul has past through.....

Answer 3

The Four Noble Truths:

Existence is suffering. This world is entirely a realm of suffering.

Suffering is caused by desire and.or attachment.

Suffering can end with the end of desire.

Desire can be ended by following the Eightfold Path.

Google around for info on both the Four Noble Truth and the Eightfold Path--these are the basics of Buddhist belief. Most are vegetarians, because of beliefs on reincarnation and the sentience of all beings--and the aim of the Buddhist is to relieve suffering, not to cause more by eating meat. (I say most because in areas where food cannot be grown, there are Buddhist who eat meat. Buddhism lays down guidelines for life, not laws, and it is nothing if not a practical religion.)

For the record, I do not consider myself a Buddhist, but I attend teachings at our local monastery regularly and for the most part attempt to follow the Eightfold Path.

Answer 4

Well perhaps the first thing you should know...is that Buddhism isn't a "religion". There's no belief in a God or Divine Creator. It's more a philosophy, and lifestyle.

If you're really interested, there are thousands of sites on the 'net that'll answer any question you can think of, and a whole bunch you probably never WOULD have thought of.

Try buddhanet.org, for one.

Oh, and try finding Dharma the Cat!

Good luck, darlin'...

Answer 5

Buddha (which means enlightened one) taught us how to live the life using eightfold paths that should be followed by one who wants to be buddhist.

1. Right View. The right way to think about life is to see the world through the eyes of the Buddha--with wisdom and compassion.

2. Right Thought. We are what we think. Clear and kind thoughts build good, strong characters.

3. Right Speech. By speaking kind and helpful words, we are respected and trusted by everyone.

4. Right Conduct. No matter what we say, others know us from the way we behave. Before we criticize others, we should first see what we do ourselves.

5. Right Livelihood. This means choosing a job that does not hurt others. The Buddha said, "Do not earn your living by harming others. Do not seek happiness by making others unhappy."

6. Right Effort. A worthwhile life means doing our best at all times and having good will toward others. This also means not wasting effort on things that harm ourselves and others.

7. Right Mindfulness. This means being aware of our thoughts, words, and deeds.

8. Right Concentration. Focus on one thought or object at a time. By doing this, we can be quiet and attain true peace of mind.

He also taught us three universal truth.
1. Nothing is lost in the universe.
2. Everything Changes
3. Law of Cause and Effect

And Buddha's four noble truths are:

1. There is Suffering Suffering is common to all.
2. Cause of Suffering We are the cause of our suffering.
3. End of Suffering Stop doing what causes suffering.
4. Path to end Suffering: Everyone can be enlightened following eightfold path.

I am interested in Budhism too, although currently I am a hindu.

Answer 6

You already got some excellent answers and links. Just some add-on here. Buddhists need not be vegetarian. They generally take the 5 precepts as their guide in life. i.e. No killing, no stealing, no sexual misconduct, no lying and no taking od intoxicants. Buddhists believe in the existence of gods as living beings dwelling in the heavenly realms but they do not take refuge in them. They believe in seeking enlightenment for themselves, taking the Buddha's teachings as guide to reach that goal. Karma and dependent origination are some important core teachings. The fat Buddha is a symbolic representation of the future Buddha to appear in our world when all the present Buddhist teachings have disappeared. When he appears the world will be a better and happier place to live in, which accounts for the big belly and "Laughing Buddha".
Take care.

Answer 7

the fat man with the big belly is not the buddha, please don't listen to idiots on this forum---- please go to
thebuddhistchannel.com or beliefnet.org and then click on buddhism, there are also many books u can read and meditatation centers ot buddhist temples that are near to where u live are a good start for info.

also, all buddhists are not vegetarians but buddhists believe u should not harm any living being, whether its people, animals or insects so by being vegetarian you are not causing harm to any sentient being. buddhism teaches love, compassion and wisdom, the middle way or the middle path on the road to truth

Answer 8

Buddhist have confidence in reincarnation besides. the hassle-free concept is you keep coming lower back-proceed to be interior the cycle of start- attachment-dying, until you gain enlightenment. The Buddha Siddhartha did this all interior the only existence. while one turns into enlightened they grow to be a Bodhisattva (i think of which ability knower of actuality) and that they'd elect to proceed to be and instruction manual others or flow previous this airplane to exist interior the Buddha ideas or organic know-how. that is fairly simplified and a few communities won't agree on all factors-say the Zen and Chan Buddhists, or different who incorporate a pantheon.

Answer 9

I only just started reading about Buddhism, so I'm not qualified to say what they do or do not do, but try wikipedia, I've found some good info and links there =)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist

Answer 10

Namesta,
I applaud you on asking your question, but it is evident you must do lots more searching and perhaps traveling, before you convert.

So you are thinking about becoming buddist, but you have no fundmental understanding of the religion. Sounds like you are falling victim of following the herd.

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.html

I suggest taking this quiz. It will defnitely get you thinking.

I, myself don't tag a name to my spirituality...humdallah! Religion is a club, spirtuality is a relationship with God.