Can someone please explain to me what Buddhism is.......?

Question

I do believe in Buddha and i am a buddist... but i'm not much of an expert in Buddhism!!! Like did buddha created this world? [because i know that he was a human too] whats the difference between Monesteries and monks? and i know there's more then one buddha, so us humans can also become a buddha if we live a good life? and which religion was created first buddhism or christrianity? And is supernatural stuff ral... like ghost etc? So thats basically somewhat of the questions i have..... If you can answer it with the correct answers i would really appreciate it!!! =] and if you're just going to make up lies and be saying that god is the best!!! then u should shut up!!! cause i know many christians who will be dissing our religion and be a total jerk!!! And yeah i guess i don't really understand christrianity too soooo explain both pleaseeeee.... =] well Thanks cause i really feel like a horrible buddist.... =*[ cause i don't get my religion that much!!! [but i do believe in it]

Answer 1

You might find a thousand and one answers on Answers regarding Buddhism but the real answer lies with how you understand it too.

I feel for you since there are many other 'Buddhists' who understand that Buddhism is a religion as such, out of faith and belief only. This is good enough to start off as a Buddhist. This is called 'Saddha/Shraddha' which means 'faith' in the old Indian language.

Most of the Buddhist texts were written in the old Indian language. One particular one which you may want to start studying in is the Pali Pitaka, which is also known as Tipitaka.

Buddhism came prior to Christianity and it wasn't 'created'. Rather, Buddhism was never called Buddhism then. It was merely a sect of different Indian traditions in India at that time (which is why Buddhism is still not as popular as others till today). Buddhism is called so by outsiders reflecting on the followers of the Buddha. This can be explained too as Jesus was never a Christian, Krishna was never a Hindu too. These are just names as labels to show difference in practices/religious idealogy later on, after the death of their respective teachers.

Please don't try searching for 'correct' answers but rather, search for the truth in what the Buddha taught by your very own experience, not what others tell you or even willfully share with you. This is what the the Buddha had reminded us over and over throughout his discourses. He stressed on individual progress and development of knowledge and wisdom, which is a self cultivation rather than being given by anyone, god or Buddha.

The Buddha taught the truth to us so that we can experience and understand/realise the nature of all things at this very moment, to be reached and realised by each and every individual (ehipassiko).

You can search for countless teachings regarding Buddhism and you will get the idea by yourself. I doubt others can help you so much in Answers, rather giving you a small amount of what the Buddha had taught. You might want to remember these three things which is mentioned in 'Ovada Patimokkha', the sum of the teachings of all Buddhas:

Forbearance is the best austerity,
"Nibbana is supreme", say the Buddhas.
He is not one gone forth who harms another.
He is not a recluse who molests others.

To abstain from all evil,
To cultivate what is wholesome,
To purify one's mind:
This is the Message of the Buddhas.

To speak no ill, to do no harm,
To keep the rules,
To eat enough but not too much,
To live apart and meditate,
This is the Message of the Buddhas.

I leave you with some links at the bottom which you might find useful. Do find out more about the late Ven K. Sri Dhammananda write ups/books which is published by the Malaysian Buddhist Missionary Society (mind me if I am wrong about this), but almost every Theravada Buddhists should know about the late reverend who was well known for his intellectual writings and true teachings of the Buddha.

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For answering fathr_of5abandonedkids,

The Buddha has everything you mentioned reflecting on the qualities of Christ ---and perfection in them.

You criticized the Pali canon just as other Christian fundementalists who know nothing but your own religion just as Harun Yahya did, for Muslims without understanding or even learning what was ever written in the Pali canon.

One thing I make it clear for people like fathr_of5abandonedkids, the Buddha did not give his life to another human because he already did that and perfected that throughout his journey to Buddhahood as a Boddhisatta. You might want to read this through and through in the Jataka collection. He had indeed done so MANY times, just as Christ did.

Your claim of Jesus being miraculously conceived by Mary and other miracles also reflects on the birth of Buddha, long, long before Christ was born. This is nothing amazing and there is in fact nothing amazing in Christianity when it comes to miracles and happiness as compared to what the Buddha had given us.

I urge you to learn more about Buddhism before making another criticism or luring 'lost sheep' into your herd.

As Bikkhu Buddhadasa had said to Christian missionaries who said to him "We have more Buddhists converting to Christianity these days", we get your intellegent ones, while you get our dumb ones :-)

A true Buddhist makes clear comprehension of what he/she learns and introspection in order to realise the truth of the dhamma, not based on blind faith.

Answer 2

ok...not an insult but you have major flaws in your thinking here....you really should read a good book on it, maybe the Dhammapadha.

Buddha was just an enlightened man who found a path Buddhists try to replicate. That's it. He did not create the world.

Monestaries are where monks live. Those can be found in the dictionary.

There is only one Buddha, but there are multiple Bodhisattva's. I probably spelled that wrong. They are various people who have reached enlghtenment and greatness.

Buddhism is not something one believes. That would be an insult. YOu MUST understand it. It is a way of life, something you practice, not something you believe in.

You cannot become Buddha he was a person. You can become enlightened, that is on a completely different level than "living a good life." These are central tenets of Buddhism that would take books to properly explain.


Go to Wikipedia right now and read their articles on Buddhism. I hope this helps, i answered some direct q's but you do not grasp your religions goals let alone methods. But Wikipedia is very good, will clear a lot of things up. Or Google it, but you cannot explain an entire religion in a single answer, or even a single book. THe basics are on Wiki though.

Answer 3

Like did Buddha created this world? - No.

difference between Monesteries and monks - monasteries are where monks live.

i know there's more then one buddha, so us humans can also become a buddha if we live a good life? - We all have Buddha-nature, but it take smore than a good life.

which religion was created first buddhism or christrianity? - Buddhism.

And is supernatural stuff ral... like ghost etc? - Buddha did not claim or disclaim such things...Buddhism focuses on experience.

~ Eric Putkonen

Answer 4

Hmm, I don't know what kind of Buddhist you are, but first of all, most Buddhists should recognize that: (But I don't think you are horrible, I mean, we're all humans, right?)

- Buddha wasn't a God, but The First Human Being who became The Enlightened One.
- He did not create this world (For sure)
- Monasteries (vihara) are where Monks live and study Buddha's teachings.
- There can be many Buddhas, it basically means The Enlightened One. If you are enlightened, you could be one :)
- Buddhism was founded, heck, 500 years before Christianity
- Yes, there are ghosts called Pretas, they are spiriritual beings who suffer an extreme degree of hunger and thirst because of their past Karma during their past lives (often bad karma will turn your souls into those hungry ghosts)

Answer 5

The Buddha was a prince in anciant timesa around the time of Christ.In their religon Buddha did not create the world it was always just here.Buddhism is bases on the idea that all living things suffer and the goal is the sessation of suffering to gain enlightenment and you go about this by getting rid of what Buddhists call the "atman" which translates to ego soul.
Buddhists strive to abolishing their ego which means that they arent concerned with appearences or having lots of money,cars,phones and other worldly possesions and they believe that the only way to reach enlightenment is to live simple and honest.You cannot belittle people or believe that you are superior to anyone all animals are equal and man is no differant. You also cannot be lustfull its indulgence not compulsion you can never allow your emotions to get the best of you.Part of being Buddhist is sacrifice to them its not sacrifice its just petty stuff but to the worldly people out there these are big and often impossible transitions to make.You must be unique and independant you must work hard in school and in work to strive to be the best person you can be.
Once you get rid of your ego soul then your spirit your immortal spirit will be free from worldly suffering and ready for the next life good luck to you I hope ive helped

Answer 6

Buddha created nothing he was just a man like he always said. The Buddhist creation believe is simple there was never a creation, life has existed always and will continue always no beginning no end. You can end your own recurring
lives by reaching enlightenment and stop the cycle of suffering
as did the Buddha.

Answer 7

What do you mean he "created this world"? He's not an omnipotent being, ONLY human, altruistic and enlightened.

Monasteries... the buildings that house monks (people).

In order to attain buddahood you follow the Buddha's teachings, per your "tastes" in which "vehicle" of Buddhism appeals to you. See BUDDHANET.NET

"Supernatural stuff"... look up "pretas", "formless realms" etc.

Buddhism of course existed before Christianity... 2500 years ago.

Just a hint to a friend... let the naysayer say what they will... telling them to "shut up" is unkind speech, instead try to cultivate a calmer mind that is not disturbed by THEIR unkind speech. ((((hugs))))

_()_ If you need more info check out the website, it has links provided for you to branch out in learning as you wish.

Answer 8

Go to www.buddhanet.net - a great website which will tel you all you need to know.

First thing: the Lord Buddha was not a god.

Go well
.

Answer 9

Buddha was not a deity and he never claimed to be one.
He was "Enlightened"

Answer 10

.... so let me get this straight. You've chosen to place your bet of "what happens to me in eternity?" on a belief system that you know nothing about......?