Tell me all you know about Buddhism? Out of all the religions out there I feel the most drawn to this one.?

Question

I was raised catholic but never felt a close connection with any of the teachings, rituals, or beliefs. I am just now looking into Buddhism but know practically nothing about it. Tell me all you know please. Links to web sites would be great!

Answer 1

I just recently converted to buddhism (not officially however) and I have found it to be a wonderful way of thinking and living. There are no rules passed down by a higher being saying what you should or should not do but rather an idea of whether your actions will bring positive consequences or negative consequences to yourself and others (however monks take oaths on various codes of behavior along with a guideline for all buddhists called the noble eightfold path written by the Buddha). It is a very interesting belief aswell as a very rigorous one. Some people who don't practice it will tell you that it is a religion that requires no effort because you're trying to clear your minds of all background noise and thought to reach enlightenment and clear thinking. It may sound easy but once you have tried you really do realize how hard it is. Another main idea/belief is the middle way which is to travel through life between all of the extremes we encounter to attain an unbiased view of the world.

I hope you really do consider buddhism since it really isn't a religion but a way of life. It is up to you to decide on what happens in the afterlife and so-on.

Also, the book that made me believe in the buddhist way of life was 'Silence and Noise' by Ivan Richmond, which describes how the silent teachings of buddhism have effected how he goes through life in the noisy land of america.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

There are many sources available on Buddhism. Simply Google it and start reading them at your leisure.

Here's an excerpt from one of such sites*:

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"Overview:

With about 365 milliion followers -- 6% of the world's population -- Buddhism is the fourth largest religion in the world. It is exceeded in numbers only by Christianity, Islam and Hinduism. Buddhism was founded in Northern India by the first known Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. In the sixth century BCE, he attained enlightenment and assumed the title Lord Buddha (one who has awakened)

Buddhism later died out in India, but had become established in Sri Lanka. From there, it expanded across Asia, evolving into two or three main forms:

Theravada Buddhism (sometimes called Southern Buddhism; occasionally spelled Therevada) "has been the dominant school of Buddhism in most of Southeast Asia since the thirteenth century, with the establishment of the monarchies in Thailand, Burma, Cambodia and Laos.

Mahayana Buddhism (sometimes called Northern Buddhism) is largely found in China, Japan, Korea, Tibet and Mongolia.

Vajrayāna Buddhism (a.k.a. Tantric Buddhism, Mantrayana, Tantrayana, Esoteric Buddhism, or True Words Sect). Some consider this to be a part of Mahayana Buddhism; others view it as a third Buddhist path.

To these might be added:

Tibetan Buddhism. This developed largely in isolation from Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism because of the remoteness of Tibet.

Zen Buddhism. This developed from within the Chinese Mahayana school known as Chan. Zen Buddhism is becoming increasingly popular in the West.

Since the late 19th century:

Modern Buddhism has emerged as a truly international movement. It started as an attempt to produce a single form of Buddhism, without local accretions, that all Buddhists could embrace..."

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Hope that helps.

Peace be with you.

Answer 3

The essentials of Buddhism is to do whatever you want to reach enlightment. Do anything that you want? Well, what that means is that you can do anything that you want as long as you do not do evil to others. Also, there are rituals that exists in this religion, but you do not have to perform them. Basically, the rituals are just to show that you are a Buddhist.

I also agree with the person above me. To me, it is more of a philosophy and a lifestyle rather than a religion. The sources that I can provide you is wikipedia and also www.religioustolerance.org

Answer 4

did some studying of Buddhism years ago in college, also did some more reading on it several years ago, its almost more a philosophy then a religion (well to us westerners) much like other religions it has different sects, the most common and known would be Tibetan, and its leader the Dali Lama. as for links just google it also go to your local library and check out some books.

side note, some of my christian and Catholic friends have found in Buddhism more peace and appreciation of their own religion

Answer 5

I've been practicing the Nichiren Buddhism.
The core of teaching is that each one of us already possesses unlimited potential which is unlimited courage, unlimited compassion, unlimited wisdom, unlimited strength.
When we bring out these potential from within our lives, our thoughts and actions
will be the positive one for ourselves and others. And we can create values under any circumstances and can live meaningful life. Nichiren Buddhism teaches how to bring out our unlimited potential and apply it to day-to-day reality.

Answer 6

It is a great philosophy. I wouldn't really call it a religion, but it is definitely a great philosophical way of living life. Buddha is a great teacher, as were those that followed him. Here's a link that you may find interesting: http://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/index.htm Learn all you can, keeping what is good, discarding what is not. Peace to you and yours. Happy Holidays!

Answer 7

Ever wonder where did all the cheap-skate ghostly stories with just hear-say all came from?
Ever wonder how living human kind all blindly learned and mastered all the hear-say could not survive in the real world with total loss of IQ?
Revealation 22. 13-17
Ever wonder who had been short-changed with cheap-skate ghostly stories of just hear-say from the graveyards of different ghostly ancestor's culture and custom?
Luke 10.24
Ever wonder how the loss of peace on earth goodwiil to men were created?
With living examples expose in Tak Bai,Thailand.
Luke 9.60
With the clash of the two dead Mummies risen up from the graveyards of failures and horrors of the past.
Luke 8.10,17
What do you think?

Answer 8

The religion with God is Islam...
(Qur'an, 3:19)

Many people become excited at the idea of becoming "different" or more "original." In almost every society since the dawn of history, some individuals have tried to stand out and draw attention to themselves by their life style, clothing, hairstyles, or distinctive way of speaking. They've managed to stir up public reaction and attract interest at the same time.

In recent years, Western societies have seen the emergence of an unusual current that draws attention to itself by its rather strange life style. It's made up of individuals who want to attract attention by adopting Eastern culture, beliefs, and philosophies-of which the most important is Buddhism.
http://www.harunyahya.com/buddhism01.php

Answer 9

they pray and worship a graven image of a dead priest, monk, farmer, ninja or some such,..similar to praying to mary and kissing graven images of saints,..

not a catholic fan,..if you remember the ten commandments hopefully you will come to an understanding,..

i e a e,..
avatar of the unification,..

Answer 10

I know it's leader is dead

I know Christianity's leader arose from the dead and still lives awaiting His return