could anybody tell me the basics on Buddhism?
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What is the essence of the Buddha’s teachings?\n\nSimply speaking, this is to avoid harming others and to help them as much as possible. Another way of expressing this is, Abandon negative action; create perfect virtue; subdue your own mind. This is the teaching of the Buddha. By abandoning negative actions (killing, etc.) and destructive motivations (anger, attachment, close-mindedness, etc.), we stop harming ourselves and others. By creating perfect virtue, we develop beneficial attitudes, like impartial love and compassion, and do actions motivated by these thoughts. By subduing our mind, we cut away all false projections, thus making ourselves calm and peaceful by understanding reality.\n\nThe essence of Buddha’s teachings is also contained in the three principles of the path: definite emergence, the dedicated heart and wisdom realizing emptiness. Initially, we seek definitely to emerge from the confusion of our problems and their causes. Then, we see that other people also have problems, and with love and compassion, we dedicate our heart to becoming a Buddha so that we are capable of helping others extensively. In order to do this, we develop the wisdom understanding the real nature of ourselves and other phenomena.
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They both sound really good; HOWEVER, my obsessive-compulsive disorder is making me have to punctuate them for you and make a few minor changes!\n\n"At first glance, one could not possibly understand the similarities between Buddhism and Christianity.  Although both religions differ in their views on man's ultimate destiny, they are both driven by the proclamation that the ultimate responsibility to one's destiny lies solely upon himself.  Unlike Hinduism, both Buddhism and Christianity are known as "world religions" that attribute followers, not merely in one country, but all over the world."\n\nOkay, I started to fix the second paragraph, but then I noticed that in one breath you're saying that both religions "differ from their views on man's ultimate destiny" and in the next breath, you're saying that "they are both driven by the proclaim that the ultimate responsibility to one's destiny lies upon themselves"  which is completely contradictory!  So I couldn't go any further.  You should use the first paragraph...it sounds great!
1137312
Stupid question .. Only a silly people will ask this question .. You really know nothing about Buddhism dont you''\nhahahhahahahhahahahah\n\nWait , are you so dirty minded that you have nothing to joke about already ?\n\nPity you
225969
Buddha is believed to be the tenth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the Supreme Being. His teachings (Buddhism) originated in India but is more widely practised in other countries of south east Asia.\n--------\nWell, my two questions are:\n\na) How does one get over love and yet remain loving?\n\nb) What can strengthen a loveless child apart from love and care?
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In Buddhism, it is slightly different meaning. \n\n"Dharma" means teaching or "protection". By practicing Buddha's teachings we protect our self from suffering and problems. All the problems we experience during daily life originate in ignorance, and the method for eliminating ignorance is to practice Dharma.
20008
Buddhism\nIn india..gaya?
760180
here is a link to site about Buddhism and their beliefs on reincarnation http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/reincarnation.htm
1117819
My dear friend, \n\nBelow I have done my best to try and explain the sects of Buddhism to level comprehensible to the general public; I sincerely hope it helps you.  [please note, that this was also my answer to another learned friend's question quite similar to yours]\n\nBefore I begin though, I would like to comment on the above learned peoples' answers.  I am sorry to say that you have yet to answer our friend's answer.  People come here, to the answers services because they have been unsuccessful in their quest for an answer; hence it is up to people who may know the answer to try and assist them in any way that we can, and not simply throw them more incomprehensible information.  This is something I wish to achieve in the below content.\n\nA period after the pir-nirvana of the Lord Buddha, the "Elders" and the "Novices" of Buddhism had an argument regarding the preservation of offerings for an overnight situation. This let to a fine separation into 2 factions of Buddhism: Theravada and Mahasamghika (Elders and Novices) - the terms used previously are given in the ancient language Sanskrit. In fact, the Mahasamghika was the stepping stone or hint that another form of Buddhism would take place, and that form would be known as Mahayana Buddhism. Mahayana Buddhism was introduced to the world by Nagarjuna Buddha (or Nagarjuna Bodhisattva - depending on tradition), and the Mahasamghika slowly dissipated into another form of Buddhism, known as Hinayana.\n\nSo to briefly bring things into perspective: Hinayana, Mahayana and Theravada. However, this is not the end yet. Some people actually place Theravada Buddhism under the banner of Hinayana Buddhism. So, there are mainly the two branches: Hinayana and Mahayana (but readers please take note, it is not that I am in total agreement of this; I merely wish to use it as an example to simplify matters). Now, to help you understand the differences. Places like Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Sri Lanka, India etc are all examples where Hinayana Buddhism is prominent; their Dharma Robes are easily distinguished tending to look like a very large cloth wrapped around their body. Countries like China, Taiwan, Korea, Tibet, Japan etc are all examples where Mahayana Buddhism is prominent; their Dharma Robes are not so easily distinguished tending to vary from tradition, but one thing is certain, and that is they often have a look of Chinese Tang Dynasty Royal Family robes.\n\nWell, "is that all", you ask? No, because within the Mahayana tradition there is another lineage of Buddhism, known as the Tantrayana (or Vajrayana). All the countries mentioned in the category of Mahayana fit this description, but please take note that there is an extremely large amount of overlapping. And to complicate matter even further, these branches of Buddhism are separated in another general manner: Exoteric and Esoteric.\n\nSo to conclude:\nExoteric Buddhism - Hinayana Buddhism (Thailand, Sri Lanka...etc)\n- Mahayana Buddhism (Taiwan, Korea, China)\n\nEsoteric Buddhism-Tantrayana Buddhism (China, Tibet, Japan)\n\nRemember, it all depends in what context you are speaking of.\n\nI hope I have helped you, and would appreciate criticism and education from the learned friends of the world wide web.\n\nvhy
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Contemporary Buddhist practices differ from place to place. You should investigate which branch of Buddhism you're interested in and then research how well their practices reflect the foundations of either their branch or Buddhism as a whole.\nFor the most part, thought, Buddhists do practice what they teach.
161770
Why not just go to your local sensei and seek advice from him directly? Doesn't he know more about asian religion than a PhD figure who is proabbly a Christian? Check out this website (I am familliar with Buddhism only sorry) They will answer your questions if you ask them.
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Read about Thomas Merton.  He was a Trappist monk who became a Buddhist and remained a Catholic, a Trappist.  He also wrote poetry and went on speaking tours, and this while he was in an order that required a vow of silence.  The Catholic Church allowed him this freedom.\n\nSome websites you can go to for info about Buddhism are\n\nwww.religioustolerance.\n                                        org/buddhism.htm \nas well as \nwww.aiht.edu\n\nYour spirituality is an individual thing.  Your parents do not control this.  I hope they would encourage you to follow your heart.  If you show them what a loving, caring person you are as a result of your spiritual growth, they will have to share your joy.\n\nAnd do look up Thomas Merton.  He grew up in Canada and later moved to the USA.  His first book was an autobiography called The Seven Storey Mountain.
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It's spelled "Buddhism".  Wikipedia is a good start.  There are in general two forms of Buddhism: Mahayana <great/wide path or \nHinayana <narrow path.\nMahayana practitioners are to wait for all other sentient beings to attain Buddhahood/Nirvana before they go themselves.  \nHinayana practitioners are working toward their own individual Buddhahood/Nirvana.
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The teachings of Buddha are simple. When you are hungry, eat, When you are thirsty, drink. When you are tired, sleep. Choose your way of life and stick to it with all your heart. Just keep it simple.
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The Buddhist doctrine would be the teachings of the Buddha. I suppose technically you would have to read all of the Sutra and all the discourses on the sutras to know the full "Buddhist doctrine."  The beautiful thing about Buddhism is that the 'doctrine' isn't all that important... At least not in the Chan (Zen) tradition. Even in the more textual traditions of Buddhism, the 'doctrine' of Buddhism is not as important as the 'spirit' of the teachings of the Buddha. In other words, knowing the Sutras is good, Understanding what Buddha meant and living a life in accordance with these teachings is better. \n\nIf you want to know what some of the basic Buddhist beliefs are, just read below. \n\nFirst a few notes. Buddha is NOT god and is not considered a god.\n\nBuddhists believes that all beings are united, we are all a part of each other, thus the ego is in fact detrimental to our own happiness since if we embrace the ego, we will unintentional hurt others. And if we are all united, then we will in fact be hurting ourselves.\n\nBuddhists also believe that compassion is the key to happiness and that the Buddha Mind, that which we must nurture if we wish to become enlightened, is our natural state. As Michelangelo talked about stripping marble away from the sculpture the was contained within, so do Buddhists talk about stripping away the self to release the Buddha within.\n\nThe main teachings are:\n\nThe Four Nobel Truths:\n1) All worldly life is suffering. Causing us to lead an unsatisfactory, disjointed life.\n2) Suffering is caused by the ego. Things such as attachment and desire are rooted in the ego through ignorance.\n3) There is a way to end suffering. \n4) The way to end suffering is found in the Noble Eightfold Path\n\nThe Noble Eightfold Path: (Divided into three categories)\n>Wisdom\n1) Right Understanding - Looking at the world without attachment and desire, without ego.\n2) Right Thought - Keeping the mind on what is at hand and being resolved on renunciation, freedom from ill will, and on harmlessness.\n\n>Ethical Conduct\n3) Right Speech - Abstaining from lying, divisive, abusive and idle chatter.\n4) Right Action - Abstaining from taking life, stealing and improper sexual activities\n5) Right Livelihood - Doing what is right with ones life.\n\n>Concentration or Mental Development\n6) Right Effort - A persistent desire and an matching endeavor to participate in proper activates the are good and just. \n7) Right Mindfulness - Remaining focused on ones actions, speech, thoughts and lively hood. \n8) Right Concentration - by abandoning all selfishness and adopting a heart of compassion, keeping ones mind on what needs to be do including the helping of others.\n\nOn a more spiritual level, Buddhist generally believe in reincarnation, a cycle of birth, death and rebirth. This is called samsara. When we reach enlightenment, this cycle is broken and we are able to move into the next step of existence, Nirvana. \n\nThere are many schools and sects of Buddhism and some very in practice greatly. However, the underlying principals are virtually identical regardless of the school or tradition of Buddhism. \n\nFor more detailed information, please check out the references I have posted bellow. \n\nI hope this helps.
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Nope.  Buddhism teaches peace, tolerance, love, and non violence.
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hello..\nactually i'm not a truly buddhist.. i'm an atheist but i learn lots from Buddhism..\n\nit's just hard to explain in words, Buddhist doesn't really care about religion, its focus in self-spiritual-development.. to gain wisdom and practice compassion..\n\n “Do not go by revelation or tradition, do not go by rumor, or the sacred scriptures, do not go by hearsay or mere logic, do not go by bias towards a notion or by another person’s seeming ability and do not go by the idea ‘He is our teacher’. But when you yourself know that a thing is good, that it is not blamable,  \nthat it is praised by the wise and when practiced and observed that it leads to happiness, then follow that thing.”\n\nThe Buddha taught us to try to understand our fears, to lessen our desires and to calmly and courageously accept the things we cannot change. He replaced fear, not with irrational belief but with rational understanding.\n\nthe Buddha saw that each human being had the capacity to purify the mind, develop infinite love and compassion and perfect understanding. He shifted attention from the heavens to the heart and encouraged us to find solutions to ¬ our problems through self-understanding.\n\nWe believe in humanity. We believe that each human being is precious and important, that all have the potential to develop into a Buddha — a perfected human being. We believe that humans can out¬grow ignorance and irrationality and see things as they really are. We believe that hatred, anger, spite and jealousy can be replaced by love, patience, generosity and kindness.  \n\nNo one saves us but ourselves, No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path, but Buddhas clearly show the way
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Basic Buddhist beliefs. \n\nThe Four Nobel Truths:\n1) All worldly life is suffering. Causing us to lead an unsatisfactory, disjointed life.\n2) Suffering is caused by the ego. Things such as attachment and desire are rooted in the ego through ignorance.\n3) There is a way to end suffering. \n4) The way to end suffering is found in the Noble Eightfold Path\n\nThe Noble Eightfold Path: (Divided into three categories)\n>Wisdom\n1) Right Understanding - Looking at the world without attachment and desire, without ego.\n2) Right Thought - Keeping the mind on what is at hand and being resolved on renunciation, freedom from ill will, and on harmlessness.\n\n>Ethical Conduct\n3) Right Speech - Abstaining from lying, divisive, abusive and idle chatter.\n4) Right Action - Abstaining from taking life, stealing and improper sexual activities\n5) Right Livelihood - Doing what is right with ones life.\n\n>Concentration or Mental Development\n6) Right Effort - A persistent desire and an matching endeavor to participate in proper activates the are good and just. \n7) Right Mindfulness - Remaining focused on ones actions, speech, thoughts and lively hood. \n8) Right Concentration - by abandoning all selfishness and adopting a heart of compassion, keeping ones mind on what needs to be do including the helping of others.\n\nTo sum all of this up and cover a few other basic ideas, Buddhists believes that all beings are united in this world, we are all a part of each other, thus the ego is in fact detrimental to our own happiness since if we embrace the ego, we will unintentional hurt others. And if we are all united, then we will in fact be hurting ourselves. \n\nBuddhists also believe that compassion is the key to happiness and that the Buddha Mind, that which we must nurture if we wish to become enlightened, is our natural state. As Michelangelo talked about stripping marble away from the sculpture the was contained within, so do Buddhists talk about stripping away the self to release the Buddha within. \n\nOn a more spiritual level, Buddhist generally believe in reincarnation, a cycle of birth, death and rebirth. When we reach enlightenment, this cycle is broken and we are able to move into the next step of existence, Nirvana. \n\nA few notes. Buddha is NOT god. Some Buddhist believe in a god or gods, others do not. The common factor is that the perception of gods or a god are that he/she/they are not responsible for us, but rather we are responsible for ourselves. Most Buddhist do not have faith in a god or gods in the traditional western sense. In fact, a god would be little more then a being that has exceptional y good karma and will one day be born again as a human. \n\nI hope this helps.