What are the basics behind Buddhism?

Question

What are the basics behind Buddhism?
I dont mind web page links.. but would prefer to hear peoples thoughts.

Only Positive feed back please..

Answer 1

buddhism was founded on hinduism, so much of its tradition is influenced by the hindi worldview.
the ideas of reincarnation, karma and nirvana are central to buddhist theology culture.
there are many variations of buddhism, but the most generally respected version is that of the Mahayana school, or the Middle Way.
the point in buddhism is to get to nirvana.
karma affects this process.
the Buddha, after much contemplation, spelled out an eightfold path that guides followers toward nirvana.
this eightfold path is based on the four noble truths,
1. life is suffering.
2. suffering arises from attachment.
3. it is possible to relieve suffering.
4. just follow the eightfold path.

the eightfold path is a list of ways to reduce your attachment to earthly materials and entities.

my problem with buddhism is this:
the way to relieve suffering is not in the removal of oneself from reality.
(yes reality i do not believe in reincarnation or nirvana)
the way to relieve suffering is to live it and watch it and embrace it and cry for it and pick it up and dust it off and to LOVE it.
i have suffered. i was lucky and love found me before it was too late.
life is suffering.
all we have for now are each other.
to fight??
or withdraw?.

Answer 2

I practice Buddhism for entire my life. The basic Buddhism is:
-Five Percepts,
-Eight-Fold Path,
-Four Noble Truths,
The above concepts are common to all Buddhist traditions. Above thee is the backbone of Buddhist practices and the back bone of Buddhism is Buddhist Logics which is a highr level one.
In advanced Buddhism for more experience ones:
-Buddhist Logics=1. Five Natural Laws, 2. Four Boundless States, 3. Karma and Rebirth
-I explained the Buddhism to those of you who do not have any idea about Buddhism on my web site. See under sources.
-Many people believed that Buddhism is not a religion since the general definition of religion is no where near what Buddhism is about.

Answer 3

I'm sorry to hear of your illness and I can appreciate the various feelings that you're going through. I'm in constant pain as a result of a car accident and three surgeries. Perhaps not as extreme as your situation but it gives me a great deal of empathy for your health issues. As to your question. "...is ...Buddhism ...the right path to take to help me get my life back on track and to keep my mind focused, and from what i have read so far, i'm guessing it would be a good start" it would appear that you have already made your decision. Meditation has been a great help and comfort for me in dealing with my chronic pain and my station in life. It is not a solution but an aide. Since you've had experience with meditation in the past, I'd encourage you to continue in it. The only advice I can offer is to look at the positive things you've accomplished in your lifetime, not to lose focus, and to seek a meditation center where you feel a connection with a teacher. I wish you the very best. You will remain in my thoughts. May all be at peace. John

Answer 4

The Buddha Buddhism was founded by the Buddha ('Awakened One'), born Siddhartha Gautama around 600 BC (exact date not certain). According to tradition, he was a prince of the Sakya clan in Northern India (present-day Nepal) who was raised in luxury and isolated from the evils of the world. Nevertheless, at the age of 29, he discovered the distress of those less fortunate than himself, and compassion motivated him to abandon everything and search for the wisdom that might allow freedom from suffering. He tried the severe asceticism advocated by many of the Yogis (wise men) as a means to release the spirit from the body, but rejected this for a 'Middle Way' between hedonism and asceticism, centered on deep meditation. He achieved enlightenment while gazing at the morning star, after meditating under the Bodhi (Wisdom) Tree for 40 days and nights. The Buddha's enlightenment is supposed to be the supreme experience of consciousness - a kind of infinite ecstasy.

With all the 'spiritual masters' running around today calling themselves 'enlightened', I think it would be wise to avoid spiritual hyperbole and consider the word 'infinite' with a grain of salt when applied to any human, even major historical figures such as Gautama or Jesus. This is not to deny that they achieved very high states of consciousness, but 'infinity' is just that, infinity. Is not a high level of bliss sufficient?

Answer 5

Bhuddists attempt to follow the teachings of Buddha. He was the first one to acheive 'englightenment.' Buddhism believes that we are all reincarnated until we acheive enlightmenment, at which time we are released from the 'hell' of reincarnation. To acheive enlightenment, a person must give up all worldy possessions, and lead a life of prayer and meditation.

Hope this helps.

Answer 6

I think it might be Hindus that believe in reincarnation, but maybe Buddhists do as well. I am no expert, but I think Buddha was a guy who lived a long time ago and he had a vision of the path to eternal happiness and Buddhists try to follow this path.

Answer 7

Buddhism is behind the basics.

Answer 8

We believe that people suffer because we become attached to material things which fade away and change. Siddhartha Gautama taught that we can end our sufering by following the eight-fold path, a guide to live our life free from desire. Most of us also believe in reincarnation, though it is not required, and it is an agnostic religion...

Answer 9

I dont really know much about it. All I know is that buddists believe in reincarnation, are opposed to material possessions, and search for enlightenment through meditation.

Answer 10

All life is suffering.
Suffering is caused by desire
To stop suffering we must stop desiring
To stop desiring we must follow the 8-fold path.