what is buddhism??

Answer 1

It's a religion that emphasizes realizing the same thing that the Buddha did. The historical buddha (an Indian prince) looked at life and got scared and depressed at the facts of old age, disease, and death. He then sought to find the solution to the inherent problem of the suffering caused by this perception. He went from teacher to teacher and tried different paths and ultimately became enlightened where he answered the question of life and death and realized his true nature (the same thing that we are). This is called enlightenment and it's a completely non-dualistic experience where one experiences oneself as literally everything (as opposed to the individual consciousness and personality that we normally perceive ourselves as).
Buddha then created a set of teachings that were not meant to be taken as truth but instead meant to be used as tools to be used to get to the same experience. The basis is the 4 Noble Truths (describes existence of suffering and the way out) and the 8-fold path (describes a path for getting to the same experience). There are specifics in what are called 'sutras'. His teachings emphasized that there is no ego/self and, given that, there's no reincarnation (it's 'rebirth' which is hard to explain because it's meant to try and convey the eternal nature of our 'true self' but not the eternal nature of the ego/self which is the basis of reincarnation). He has concepts of karma (which is just a fancy word for how we're conditioned) and other things.
Buddhism spread and integrated itself with native cultures and religions. In many cases, people treat the buddha as something to be worshipped and integrate it with other superstitions and magic. In other cases like tibetan buddhism, the integration with native religion has resulted in a reincarnation-like element to it.
Zen buddhism is probably the closest to the original intent, in my opinion. Buddhism has made its way to the West but many Westerners completely miss the point of it by trying to make it into a philosophy. Making it into a philosophy is the exact opposite of the Buddha's message and makes the same mistake as those who rely on religious beliefs make: instead of using the beliefs and teachings as tools for their own experience, people treat the beliefs and teachings as Truth and/or 'philosophy'. Enlightenment (direct realization) is the cornerstone of Buddhism. Its concepts are meant to get us there and are not meant to be taken as Truth.

Answer 2

In short: Buddhism is the Religion of awakening. The goal of Buddhism is to end suffering, for you and for all sentient beings everywhere. Buddhists follow the teachings of the Buddha, (Siddhārtha Gautama, the historic Buddha) who said, "I teach one thing and one thing only: suffering and the end of suffering."

The teachings of the Buddha revolve around The Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path.

I ) There is suffering in the world
II ) Desire and Craving is the cause of suffering.
III) The cessation of suffering is the cessation of desire and cravings.
IV) The way leading to the cessation of suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path
...1) Right Viewpoint
...2) Right Values
...3) Right Speech
...4) Right Actions
...5) Right Livelihood
...6) Right Effort
...7) Right Mindfulness
...8) Right Meditation

There are many different schools of Buddhism that focuses on different aspects of the Buddha's Teachings. None of these schools in more correct or better then any other. It depends entirely on the practitioner. What is useful to one student my not work with another and what doesn’t work for one may be helpful to others.

This is an EXTREMELY concise and abbreviated definition of Buddhism and thus far from complete. For more information please view the links I have posted below.

I hope you find this helpful.

Answer 3

Buddhism is a dharmic religion, a way of life, a practical philosophy, and a life-enhancing system of applied psychology. Buddhism focuses on the teachings of Gautama Buddha, hereinafter referred to as "the Buddha", who was born in Kapilavastu in what is now Nepal around the fifth century BCE. Buddhism spread throughout the Indian subcontinent in the five centuries following the Buddha's passing, and thence into Central, Southeast, and East Asia over the next two millennia.

Answer 4

Buddhism (also known as Buddha Dharma, Pali: बुद्ध धम्म, "the teachings of the awakened one") is a dharmic, non-theistic religion, a way of life, a practical philosophy, and a life-enhancing system of applied psychology. Buddhism focuses on the teachings of Gautama Buddha (Pali: गौतम बुद्ध), hereinafter referred to as "the Buddha", who was born in Kapilavastu in what is now Nepal around the fifth century BCE[1]. Buddhism spread throughout the Indian subcontinent in the five centuries following the Buddha's passing, and thence into Central, Southeast, and East Asia over the next two millennia

Answer 5

A philosophical system that almost all Westerners are horribly ignorant of (especially those who claim they know something about it) and that no one on a site like this will be able to explain correctly to you in the little box provided.