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Buddhism firstly does not believe in the existence of an omnipotent being i.e. God. Instead, there is a concept of, if you will, the universal law. To better understand this, think of laws of physics (like inertia), those things that all physical things abide by, but we simply do not know why.
All beings on this Earth are bound to the 'cycle of suffering'. Suffering does not necessarily mean it must be painful or you must not like it, but it means that they are worldly things. i.e. by being bound to these things, you are 'suffering' as in you are not free and you will not find true peace. If you die, you will be reincarnated to suffer through whatever you deserve depending on your karma in the past life.
Buddhism believes in freeing oneself from the otherwise neverending worldly suffering through detaching oneself from worldly things. Buddhism says you will never cease to feel angry, jealous, happy, or whatever as long as you are attached to worldly things like pleasure, love, and hate. Attachment to physical things also contribute to this suffering cycle. All the things that you see, hear, feel, touch, and taste everyday are all created by your brain, so there is no knowing that they are real and true. Thus, it is fair to say Buddhism is about freeing the mind.
When you meditate, you sit still, close your eyes, and clear your mind. This is so that you are less likely bound by 'outside' things, and you can focus on understanding the facts of life and freeing the mind. Enlightened monks are those who have fully detached themselves from all worldly things and therefore have found true peace. Once they die, they will not reincarnate because they are then free of the cycle of suffering.
On an interesting note, the Jedi concept was adapted from Buddhism. That's why Light Jedi's are taught to control the mind, and Anakin is warned against falling in love. I must add that Buddhism does not say you must not fall in love, but love is just another worldly thing which will cause much suffering like hatred, jealousy, and lust (just look at Anakin for example). The whole concept of 'The Matrix' is based on Buddhism (although not exactly the same), that the world is not real and once you have freed your mind and realized the 'outside' things, you become enlightened (like Neo).
Some may say that monks are torturing themselves by denying themselves the pleasures in life. In truth, monks who truly understand Buddhism do not wish for those things because it is 'outside' to them. To them, a new house is the same as a new pair of shoes, all of which is of no importance.
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A teaching by Siddhartha Gautama "The Buddha"(563 - 483 B.C) that teaches that eradication of the "self" illusion, extinguishment of material attachments and eradication of sensual cravings is the path to liberation (nirvana). Buddhism is perhaps the religion with the strongest scientific backing, with Albert Einstein once famously saying that Buddhism was the religion he favored most. It is believed that The Buddha referred to sub atomic particles and intra atomic forces long before any Western scientist. Some argue that "Buddhism" is not really a religion as it does not require worship to a God.
To the great credit of Buddhism, not a drop of blood has been shed in the name of The Buddha, in the faith's 2500 year history.
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For the most part, For The People's definition is right. However, Buddhism is not a religion, it's a philosophy or, if you prefer, a set of teachings.
Because many people follow the Buddhist teachings, Buddhism is thought to be a religion, even though it's really a philosophy/set of teachings.
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If seen as a set of ideas, Buddhism can be a very intelligent and beneficial approach to life. If seen as a religion, it is quite paradoxical and contradictory.
Buddha said:
"Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it."
Yet, Buddhism is still practiced and passed down by millions of people.
Nobody listened to Him, that is why there is Buddhism.
- J .Krishnamurti
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In six century BC, a fat Indian named Siddhartha Gautama meditated under a tree so long he met a grunge band called Nirvana.
Guy1: hey isnt he into Buddhism.
Guy2: yeah look at how centered he is like whoooaaaaaa....
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Asian philosophy/religion, the central message of which is NOT every man for himself.
Aristotle was not Belgian. The central message of Buddhism is not 'every man for himself!'
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a sacred ritual performed by drunken nepalese/indian mountain goats after beating there wifes
i hate it when my little brother starts trying buddhism
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