What is Buddhism?

dendenz

as a matter of interest? I know its a religion but can anyone tell me a bit more about it?

Yoda

Buddhism is a set of descriptions of how life works, and a set of instructions for creating conditions favourable to spiritual development. Buddhists believe that certain insights can transform a person in ways usually described as "liberation" or "enlightenment". Buddhism is rational, peaceful, and gentle.

Buddhism both is and is not a religion. Its central teachings are, basically, very sound advice on how to handle what life presents. In Asia, Buddhism has also been affected by local religions; animism, magic, numerology, astrology, and ritual are not central to Buddhism, though many Buddhists make use of them. Strictly speaking, they are irrelevant to the Buddhist so long as their practice does not interfere with the main aim. Many Buddhist modernists don't make use of them – I don't, for instance – but Buddhism neither favours nor opposes them.

The Four Noble Truths describe how life works. (1) There is suffering. (2) Suffering has causes. (3) Suffering ceases. (4) There is a Way which leads to the cessation of suffering. That Way is the Noble Eightfold Path.

I'd like, heh heh, us to be a little disciplined, if we could, about talking about these things. This "What is Buddhism?" thread would be good for general discussion, the origins of Buddhism, the different schools and so on.

Further specific discussion of the Four Noble Truths, please, should take place on the Four Noble Truths thread.

I thought it would be nice if we talked about these for a while, and then I'd post a thread about the Noble Eightfold Path and we could talk about that. For those of you who've expressed an interest in learning more about Buddhism, I'd recommend such a sequential presentation; the Buddha often taught that way.

But this thread would be good for setting the stage for more detailed discussion.

hipchick

For me i feel that Buddhism has given me more control over my life and my Karma...
At the moment i'm reading a book called "How to Practice" The way to a meaningful life by His Holiness the Dalai Lama...very good book gives you all you need to know to get started...generally it promotes kindness to all no matter what the situation... "Treat others better than you would treat yourself".

Buddhists focus is on developing a good heart and mind through a moral attitude and an understanding of reality; empowerment by concentration. Morality, concentrated meditation, and wisdom are like a blueprint for enlightenment...The aim of pratice is transformation of attitudes towards peacefulness, compassion, calm focus and wisdom.

Since becoming more involved with buddhism my life (which was very erratic) is easier to handle, i don't get stressed by thoughtless people i just hope that they will someday have more regard for others.

DOD1

Is How to practice the best book for people who are interested in discovering if Buddhism is right for them? Or is there a buddist equivalent of the bible? Where would I get such a book? I'm deeply political, is it possible to commit yourself to the buddhist way of living if you are intensely politically partisan as I am? I don't think I could ever be politically neutral, but I do want to clear my mind of the negativity and self hate that society has instilled in me, without becoming a bore. I've heard Buddhists can be quite boring? Educate me please, or tell me how I can educate myself.

Yoda

Just back from Bergen so I'll answer the substantive question about the "Buddhist Bible" later today or tomorrow. In the meantime, start here.

hipchick

There are many great books out there that will help you to find the answers to your questions.... I don't think being political makes much difference. If you get a book thats by the Dalai Lama then you may become interested in the politics of Tibet and its long history...... The Chinese took control of Tibet and still to this day have not returned her to the Tibetan people...China has a lot to answer for, they killed many many monks and destroyed many of Tibets most revered monastaries.

I think if you are looking for a cause then this is a great one.

I think its about time that the people of the world got togther and said to China that Tibet has to be given back to the Tibetan people and let them run their country as they want and not as the Chinese want.....Is it not the same as Iraq????? why do the powers that be not see this????? Or is China too much of a threat to the american's and the rest of the world???

The Pancham Lama...very good political book, shows how the Chinese still have control over something that should have no political input whatsoever...


Anyway as you can see you can get very passionate about buddhism if you go further than just the "way of living"......


Enjoy and hope you find what your looking for.....

Yoda

Extended discussion of Chinese and Tibetan politics should take place on the Politics forum.

hipchick

Sorry bout that can get a bit carried away!

hedgetrimmer

The head of the Buddhist "monastry" next to the tree where the Buddha was enlightened - I cannot remeber the name of the place - said he could some up Buddhism in two words - " Practice Mindfulness".

Just throwing it out there

mickmacdublin

The head of the Buddhist "monastry" next to the tree where the Buddha was enlightened - I cannot remeber the name of the place - said he could some up Buddhism in two words - " Practice Mindfulness".

The place would be Bodh Gaya.

As a summation of what Buddhism is about I think it's a bit lacking - certainly the cultivation of mindfulness is crucial I think one would also need to have both morality and insight.

One could murder with mindfulness but that would not be an act conducive to enlightenment.

Similarly once could give to charity with mindfulness which would be morally positive act but if one did so with dualisitic view of giver and receiver it would not be an enlightened action.

my €0.02

Mick

Yoda

Summed up in two words? "Eightfold Path".

mickmacdublin

Summed up in two words? "Eightfold Path".

I would agree.

A Mahayana Buddhist might say the "6 paramitas"

A Tibetan buddhist might some it up as "view, meditation and action"

All ways of covering exactly the same ground.

M.

Skr4wny

Check out the 12 principles of Buddhism

http://www.budtempchi.org/12prin.html