Buddhism in a nutshell?

Question

I know this isn't something that can really be "sumed up", but I'm looking for the basis of what Buddhism is, and as a Buddist what your experience has been like?
Hope I worded this correctly! Thanks so much!

Answer 1

Core beliefs of Buddhism:
Buddhism, like most of the great religions of the world, is divided into a number of different traditions. However, most traditions share a common set of fundamental beliefs.

The fundamental belief involves reincarnation: the concept that one must go through many cycles of birth, living, and death. After many such cycles, if a person releases their attachment to desire and the self, they can attain Nirvana - a state of liberation and freedom from suffering.

The Three Trainings or Practices:

Sila: Virtue, good conduct, morality. This is based on two fundamental principles: The principle of equality: that all living entities are equal.
The principle of reciprocity: This is the "Golden Rule" in Christianity -- to do onto others as you would wish them do onto you.
Samadhi: Concentration, meditation, mental development. Developing one's mind is the path to wisdom which in turn leads to personal freedom.
Mental development also strengthens and controls our mind; this helps us maintain good conduct.
Prajna: Discernment, insight, wisdom, enlightenment. This is the real heart of Buddhism. Wisdom will emerge if your mind is pure and calm.
The first two paths listed in the Eightfold Path, described below, refer to discernment; the last three belong to concentration; the middle three are related to virtue.
The Four Noble Truths:
The Buddha's Four Noble Truths explore human suffering.
Dukkha: Suffering exists: (Suffering is real and and almost universal.
Samudaya: There is a cause for suffering. (It is the desire to have and control things. Nirodha: There is an end to suffering. (Suffering ceases with the final liberation of Nirvana It lets go of any desire or craving.)
Magga: In order to end suffering, you must follow the Eightfold Path.
The Eightfold Path:
The Buddha's Eightfold Path consists of:
Panna: Discernment, wisdom: 1) Samma ditthi Right Understanding of the Four Noble Truths
2) Samma sankappa: Right thinking; following the right path in life
Sila: Virtue, morality:
3) Samma vaca: Right speech: no lying, criticism, condemning, gossip, harsh language
4) Samma kammanta Right conduct by following the Five Precepts
5) Samma ajiva: Right livelihood; support yourself without harming others
Samadhi: Concentration, meditation:
6) Samma vayama Right Effort: promote good thoughts; conquer evil thoughts
7) Samma sati Right Mindfulness: Become aware of your body, mind and feelings
8) Samma samadhi Right Concentration: Meditate to achieve a higher state of consciousness
The Five Precepts:
These are rules to live by.
Do not kill. This is sometimes translated as "not harming" or an absence of violence.
Do not steal. This is generally interpreted as including the avoidance of fraud and economic exploitation.
Do not lie. This is sometimes interpreted as including name calling, gossip, etc.
Do not misuse sex. For monks and nuns, this means any departure from complete celibacy. For the laity, adultery is forbidden, along with any sexual harassment or exploitation, including that within marriage.
Do not consume alcohol or other drugs.

If you want to know if there's truth in a belief system, check the actions of its followers. If they are at peace with others and themselves, their religion works.

Based on the actions of followers since, Buddha was truly the Prince of Peace.

Answer 2

Buddhists do not believe blindly. They learn from the Buddha's teachings and practise them only if they find the teachings reasonable and agreeable to them. The golden rule: Do not do to others what you do not wish others do to you.

The most salient aspect of Buddhism is FREEDOM in its practice. The Buddha encouraged his followers to use their common sense and human intelligence to analyze his teachings before accepting them. He pointed out that there was no super agent who controlled us, punished us and rewarded us. We are not puppets on the strings; and there is no puppeteer up above to manipulate us. So long as we are fearful of some controlling agents we are not free. The natural law of cause and effect rules the world. No matter what you are and where you are, or what you believe, this universal LAW rules supreme. There is no escape. It is perfectly impartial. In simple language, good begets good; evil begets evil.

Buddhist teachings are like air. They are free, and non-discriminating. If anyone thinks they are beneficial, then they can breathe the air. If anyone chooses otherwise, then it's up to the person. This is the "religion" of Buddhism....Truth, Peace, Harmlessness, and Freedom. A more appropriate term to describe Buddhism is "humanism". It deals with the peaceful conduct of human lives.

Have peace and be happy :-)

Answer 3

Buddhism based on "Dhamma" the truth is out there, it's not created by someone.

Your life is not relay on someone hand, it's on your own hands and your own will. Maybe it's interesting when u can blame someone on what you have done.

For example, you must know about the "Tsunami" in Aceh? Many peolpe died instead that dissaster, you maybe can say that it become God's will? But how can God that mercyfull could have done something like that, how can He killed many people? Is He a Killer?

No, it's not God's will. It's what we call "Karma" (what you'll receive caused by your past deed, not just in this life but also in your previous life).

However, it's like you plant a tree, if you want a good result u must plant with a good seed too.
so that is "Karma", all being was born of it's own "Karma" even if it only a mosquito.

So, get hurry to know about Buddhism, I bet you'll more excited in Buddhism.

Answer 4

In Buddhism it teaches - all the world is devided into two.

Nama - Qualities in Mind


Rupa - Everything else in the material world which whole body,sound, buildings.

Nama is further divided into

consciouness (vinnana), feelings( vedana), perceptions (sanna), recording of feelings(samskara)

In buddhism teaches reincarnation - These are the four qualities will carry onto next life. So Buddhism teachs how to eradicate above nama. It teaches you how to stop the consciouness. The way to stop the consciouness is above methods described by other members.
Which is understanding of four noble truths and follow Arya ashtangika margya.

It teaches you systamaticaly get rid of your negativity.

You have to have a basic understanding of buddhism to understand the philosopy. But dont get me wrong - think about it you will develope the wisdom. I developed it.

Answer 5

In a nutshell, Buddhism is concerned with the cessation of suffering through a practice of unbiased acknowledgment and "letting go" of the attachments (and the ego) which are the cause of suffering.

This is, of course, a very very primary basis and it would take pages to give a full summary.

My experience has been of great balance most of the time.

Answer 6

Buddhist is not a religion.But, people name it as one.Why i say that because religion believe in something,like God,etc. Buddha teaches suffering,impermenace and non-self. In this body you cannot find a so call self,even science cannot find it.If it is really yourself,can you control your breath by not breathing for 30 minutes or an hour.Or control your blood from flowing.You cannot control anything.The teaching of Buddhism can be experience by yourself here and now. Investigate your body now and you will see the Dharma.Truth is there,it is discovered, not made up.Believe or not, it is there happening in you.

Answer 7

Four Noble Truths:

1. Life is suffering.
2. Suffering is caused by desire.
3. Suffering and desire can be eliminated.
4. The way to do so is to follow the Eightfold Path: Right view, right intention, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration.

That's basically Buddhism's 'cheat sheet'. Google for more information.

Answer 8

The actual summary of the teachings of the Buddha is threefold, which is explained in the Ovada Patimokkha. They are:
To abstain from all evil,
To cultivate what is wholesome,
To purify one's mind

This is the Message of the Buddhas.

A more elaborate one is found in this link:
http://www.zhaxizhuoma.net/DHARMA/Tripitaka/OvadaPatimokkha.htm

Answer 9

you would be better to google it tbh.
there are several different schools of thought, i believe, considering buddhism.
to my mind it is about the most reasonable religion, is peaceful encouraging personal growth and makes the most sense, but i am certainly no professor of buddhism!


good luck
emma x

Answer 10

Buddhism is different in various parts of the world....Srilanka is a country where buddhists are supporting the killing of many innocent humans....so if you really want to know what it is ,suggest you refer the library!