Proper noun

Singular Buddhism

Plural -

Buddhism

1. The religion and philosophy founded by the Indian teacher Gautama Buddha

Derived terms

• Won Buddhism

Related terms

• Buddha
• Buddhist

Buddhism is a religion and a philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha (Pali/Sanskrit "the awakened one"). The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent sometime between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE. He is recognized by adherents as an awakened teacher who shared his insights to help sentient beings end suffering, achieve nirvana, and escape what is seen as a cycle of suffering and rebirth. Buddhism is traditionally conceived as a path of liberation attained through insight into the ultimate nature of reality.

Two major branches of Buddhism are recognized: Theravada ("The School of the Elders") and Mahayana ("The Great Vehicle"). Theravada, the oldest surviving branch, has a widespread following in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia, and Mahayana is found throughout East Asia and includes the traditions of Pure Land, Zen, Nichiren Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, Shingon, Tendai and Shinnyo-en. In some classifications, a third branch, Vajrayana, is recognized, although many see this as an offshoot of the Mahayana. While Buddhism remains most popular within Asia, both branches are now found throughout the world. Various sources put the number of Buddhists in the world at between 230 million and 500 million.

Buddhist schools vary significantly in the exact nature of the path of liberation, the importance and canonicity of various teachings and scriptures, and especially their respective practices. The foundation of Buddhist practice is based on taking refuge in the Three Jewels: the Buddha, the Dharma (the teachings), and the Sangha (the community). Other practices may include renunciation, meditation, cultivation of mindfulness and wisdom, study of scriptures, physical exercises, devotion and ceremonies, or invocation of bodhisattvas.

Buddhism is a religion and philosophy with between 230 to 500 million adherents worldwide, said to have been founded by Gautama Buddha. The vast majority of Buddhists live in Asia. It consists of two major schools: Mahayana and Theravada.

• The religion of future will be a cosmic religion. It should transcend a personal God and avoid dogmas and theology. Covering both the natural and the spiritual, it should be based on a religious sense arising from the experience of all things, natural and spiritual as a meaningful unity. Buddhism answers this description... If there is any religion that would cope with modern scientific needs, it would be Buddhism.
  • Albert Einstein^[1]

• Renunciation is not getting rid of the things of this world, but accepting that they pass away.
  • Aitken Roshi

• I prefer Buddhism because it gives three principles in combination, which no other religion does. Buddhism teaches prajna (understanding as against superstition and supernaturalism), karuna (love), and samata (equality). This is what man wants for a good and happy life. Neither god nor soul can save society.
  • Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar,Indian scolar,nationalist, jurist, political leader ,Buddhist revivalist and an architect of the Indian Constitution

From Wikiquote under the GNU Free Documentation License.
Tue Nov 24 05:03:20 2009