Buddhism interests me, who can tell me about it?

Question

When I say "who can tell me about it" I am not asking for someone to tell me who to talk to. I'm asking for someone to answer this question with facts about Buddhism.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Many of us that studied Buddhism read numerous books on the subject. That is the best way to learn.

Answer 2

Buddhism is about choosing a way of life. It is too wide to explain over a Yahoo! Q&A :P It is about experiencing.
I see Buddhism as transcending suffering and realizing perfect truth by adopting a lifestyle following the advise and guidance of the Triple Gem. But Buddhism can also mean differently to different Buddhists.
If you are a beginner, I think you can start by finding out what the Triple Gem is, and learning about the Four Noble Truths and Noble Eightfold Paths.
It will also be good if you can do some research and seek out a good Buddhist centre near you where there are monks or nuns who can guide you along.
I also recommend a book titled "Be a lamp upon yourself" which is clear and easy to understand. It is actually for free distribution in Singapore, though I am not sure if you can get your hands on it where you are.
Anyway, I sincerely hope your question finds you an answer that you have been looking for all your life. Good luck! Buddha bless!

Answer 3

I have studied many religions including Buddhism in it's various forms. I would not presume that I know enough to be able to explain it to you. In fact, unless some "high priest" in Buddhism answers your question, I doubt that anyone here on Yahoo Answers can give you anything more than ill-conceived, misinformed conceptions of what they think Buddhism is.

Instead let me recommend a book to you. It's kind of a "beginners guide" to Eastern religions for westerners. It's title is "The Philosophies and Religions of India". It's published by the Yogi Publication Society. It's author is "Yogi Ramacharaka" who was actually an American named William Atkinson who traveled to India and studied religion there around the turn of the previous century.

The book has a 29 page chapter on Buddhism. There is no attempt to convert you to any particular religion. The book just attempts to examine and explain various eastern religions to westerners. It's the best "101" book on eastern religions I have ever found.

Good luck

I read your addition. Sorry, I still can't do it. As someone above mentioned "what form of buddhism are you interested in or asking about?". There is no real basic "buddhism" any longer. The present form of the Buddhist religion that's found in Japan, China and Tibet has very little resemblance to the original teachings of Gautama. The Buddhists of Burma adhere more closely to the orthodox teachings but even there Buddhism is held more as a religious system and church than as a philosophical system. Yet it was a "philosophy" and not a religion that was presented by Gautama Buddha back in about 600 BC. Later as the philosophy of Buddhism spread through out the eastern world it was adapted and transformed in various areas. Many places mingled the philosophy of Buddhism with the religion that was already in place in the area. Your question just isn't really answerable as you state it.

Answer 4

No, real Buddhism is not about self-denial! It is actually about finding your true self! The main parts of Buddhism revolve around the principle of Karma and regaining pure(or true) being. Karma is essentially about the idea that everything you put out into the universe, comes back to you. Negative energy from your thoughts, actions, and beliefs return to you and are the explanation for all negative things that have ever happend to you. Some things that happen in your life could even be left over Karma from a past life. This outlook says that whatever good energy you put out will also come back to you, so in Buddhism we ourselves are 100% responsible for what happens in our own lives. This explanation of cause and effect actually exists in every ancient religion. For instance Jesus says 'What you sow, is what you reap'. Same principle! The search and journey for pure or true self cannot really be explained in short, without confusion. The Buddha is said to have overcome the world and arrived at a place of pure universal energy. Pure light (Buddha literally means 'The enlightened one'). Neo in the movie the Matrix kind of parallels this idea if you pay close attention. It is basically about consciously tapping back into the pure energy source from which the whole universe is created. The basic idea behind Buddhism(and many other religions, such as Hinduism, mystical Judaism) is that you will evolve through many lives to eventually rediscover your real True Self!!!

Answer 5

What kind of Buddhism interests you? If it's the Buddhism of Laos, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Burma, and Thailand, read What the Buddha Taught by Walpola Rahula. If it is the Buddhism of Japan, Tibet, early China, VietNam, or other countries, go to a book store or library and skim some of the books to see what kind of Buddhism interests you most. Or find a book that gives descriptions of all of them. They are quite different.

Answer 6

The basic belief is this: Buddhism is about escape from suffering which is caused by wanting things. The only way to be rid of wanting is through the 8 fold path.

That's the basics I know about them thanks to a good friend of mine. You'll have to research on the rest because I'm not a Buddhist, I'm a Quaker Christian.

Answer 7

Firstly, you need to talk to buddhist monks one by one and ask what you want to know because one monk can not answer all your questions. Later find books about Buddhism which may take your whole life. Whatever you want to learn something, never go to books first. Go to a trainning school or persons first and listen their life experience which you can not buy. Then, go for books. Books meant for further study only.

Answer 8

From what I understand it's all about self-denial. To the point that you should feel bad for having to eat? & if you're not down with "religious practices" that are required, then it's not for you.
I never understood why the Buddha was fat though!

Answer 9

hmmm... as far as I've been able to tell the best way to summarize Buddhism is "atheism with a goal"

No god is professed in this religion... in fact it is more of a philosophy than a religion.

At the center of this teaching is "the four noble truths" and "the eightfold path" which are supposed to help one realize that needless suffering can be avoided.

Answer 10

A practicing Buddhist could tell you about it