At the time of the Buddha, he apparently predicted that his teachings would disappear after 500 years. According to the Sutta Pitaka, the "ten moral courses of conduct" will disappear and people will follow the ten amoral concepts of theft, violence, murder, lying, evil speaking, adultery, abusive and idle talk, covetousness and ill will, wanton greed, and perverted lust resulting in skyrocketing poverty and the ...

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Read more here: » Eschatology: Encyclopedia II - Eschatology - Buddhism

Buddhism: The religion based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha (ca 624544 bce). He refuted the idea of man's having an immortal soul and did not preach of any Supreme Deity. Instead he taught that man should seek to overcome greed, hatred and delusion and attain enlightenment through realizing the Four Noble Truths and following the Eightfold Path.

Prominent among its holy books is the Dhammapada. Buddhism arose out of Hinduism as an inspired reform movement which rejected the caste system and the sanctity of the Vedas. It is thus classed as nastika, "unbeliever," and is not part of Hinduism. Buddhism eventually migrated out of India, the country of its origin, and now enjoys a following of over 350 million, mostly in Asia.

See: Buddha.

(See also: Buddhism, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Buddhism

World religion based on the spiritual teachings of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha. There are a number of versions or sects of Buddhism generally teaching paths to Nirvana (enlightenment or bliss) though the four noble truths (recognizing existence and source of suffering) and the eightfold path (correct understanding, behavior and meditation).

Some variations of Buddhism include traditional Theravada schools of India, Mahayana Buddhism, which became very popular in China and Japan, and Tibetan Buddhism (Lamaism) in Tibet.

Two more recent forms that have had great influence in America are Zen and Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism.

(See also: Buddhism, New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Buddha predicted that his teachings would disappear after 500 years. According to the Sutta Pitaka, the "ten moral courses of conduct" will disappear and people will follow the ten amoral concepts of theft, violence, murder, lying, evil speaking, adultery, abusive and idle talk, covetousness and ill will, wanton greed, and perverted lust resulting in skyrocketing poverty and the end of the worldly laws of true dharma. During the Middle Ages, the span of time was expanded to 5,000 years. Commentators like Buddhaghosa predicted a step-b ...

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Eschatology, Eschatology - Buddhism, Eschatology - Christianity, Eschatology - Hinduism, Eschatology - Islam, Eschatology - Judaism, Eschatology - Native American, Eschatology - Hopi, Eschatology - Mayans, Eschatology - Sioux, Eschatology - Norse mythology, Eschatology - Zoroastrianism, Eschatology - Prophetic movements, Eschatology - Other religions, Eschatology - Philosophy

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Buddhism:

Buddhism. Religion founded by Buddha, which holds that life is full of suffering caused by desire and that the way to end the suffering is to end the birth-death cycle through enlightenment.

(See also: Buddhism, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Buddhism in Vietnam - Syncretism. Buddhism in Vietnam - Ying-yang harmony. Buddhism in Vietnam - Flexibility. ...

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Buddhism in Vietnam, Buddhism in Vietnam - Formation and Spread of Buddhism in Vietnam, Buddhism in Vietnam - Zen Buddhism, Buddhism in Vietnam - Pure Land Buddhism, Buddhism in Vietnam - Vajrayana Buddhism, Buddhism in Vietnam - Characteristics of Vietnamese Buddhism, Buddhism in Vietnam - Syncretism, Buddhism in Vietnam - Ying-yang harmony, Buddhism in Vietnam - Flexibility, Buddhism in Vietnam - Hoa Hao Buddhism

Read more here: » Buddhism in Vietnam: Encyclopedia II - Buddhism in Vietnam - Characteristics of Vietnamese Buddhism

Buddhism in Vietnam - Syncretism. Buddhism in Vietnam - Yin-yang harmony. Buddhism in Vietnam - Flexibility. ...

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Buddhism in Vietnam, Buddhism in Vietnam - Formation and Spread of Buddhism in Vietnam, Buddhism in Vietnam - Zen Buddhism, Buddhism in Vietnam - Pure Land Buddhism, Buddhism in Vietnam - Vajrayana Buddhism, Buddhism in Vietnam - Characteristics of Vietnamese Buddhism, Buddhism in Vietnam - Syncretism, Buddhism in Vietnam - Yin-yang harmony, Buddhism in Vietnam - Flexibility, Buddhism in Vietnam - Hoa Hao Buddhism

Read more here: » Buddhism in Vietnam: Encyclopedia II - Buddhism in Vietnam - Characteristics of Vietnamese Buddhism

Definition and meaning of Buddhism

Buddhism - [World History]

Buddhism evolved from Hinduism in northern India and Nepal and diffused from this core area. The founder was Siddhartha Gautama (563 B.C.-483 B.C.) who left his rich Hindu existence to seek understanding. Buddha means "the Enlightened One." The Buddhist way to salvation is through self-discipline and poverty. It is a religion and philosophy of "Four Noble Truths": that suffering and misery are universal, that the cause of suffering is desire, that the end of suffering is realized when desire is controlled, and that the way to escape pain and suffering is to follow the Middle Way. Nirvana is the state of wanting nothing. The Middle Way is virtuous and marked by compassion for all living things. Today, Buddhism is practiced in different forms throughout the world. The largest concentrations of Buddhists occur in Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka, Tibet, and Japan.

(Source: The Social Studies Center at Texas University )

Also see these pages:  Social Studies, Social Studies Sitemap, History, History Sitemap

For more dictionary entries, see » Buddhism And Christianity Dictionary

Definition and meaning of Buddhism

Buddhism - [World History]

Buddhism evolved from Hinduism in northern India and Nepal and diffused from this core area. The founder was Siddhartha Gautama (563 B.C.-483 B.C.) who left his rich Hindu existence to seek understanding. Buddha means "the Enlightened One." The Buddhist way to salvation is through self-discipline and poverty. It is a religion and philosophy of "Four Noble Truths": that suffering and misery are universal, that the cause of suffering is desire, that the end of suffering is realized when desire is controlled, and that the way to escape pain and suffering is to follow the Middle Way. Nirvana is the state of wanting nothing. The Middle Way is virtuous and marked by compassion for all living things. Today, Buddhism is practiced in different forms throughout the world. The largest concentrations of Buddhists occur in Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka, Tibet, and Japan.

(Source: The Social Studies Center at Texas University )

Also see these pages:  Social Studies, Social Studies Sitemap, History, History Sitemap

For more dictionary entries, see » Buddhism And Christianity Dictionary

The Buddhist canon of scripture is known in Sanskrit as the Tripitaka and in Pāli as the Tipitaka. These terms literally mean "three baskets" and refers to the three main divisions of the canon, which are: The Vinaya Pitaka, containing disciplinary rules for the Sangha of Buddhist monks and nuns, as well as a range of other texts which explain why and how rules were instituted, supporting material, and doctrinal clarification. The Sutta Pitaka (Pāli; Sanskrit: Sutra Pitaka), containing disc ...

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Buddhism, Buddhism - Headline text, Buddhism - What is a Buddha?, Buddhism - Origins, Buddhism - Principles of Buddhism, Buddhism - The Three Marks of Existence, Buddhism - The Four Noble Truths, Buddhism - The Noble Eightfold Path, Buddhism - Practices of Buddhism, Buddhism - Refuge in The Three Jewels, Buddhism - The Five Precepts, Buddhism - Meditation, Buddhism - Buddha-dhatu Buddha-Principle Buddha-nature, Buddhism - Other principles and practices, Buddhism - Vegetarianism, Buddhism - Buddhist religious philosophy and branches, Buddhism - Buddhism after the Buddha, Buddhism - Principal schools of Buddhist philosophy, Buddhism - Scriptures, Buddhism - Relations with other Eastern faiths, Buddhism - Buddhism in the modern world, Buddhism - Buddhism and the West, Buddhism - Buddhism, Buddhism - Related systems and religions, Buddhism - References and Links, Buddhism - References, Buddhism - Footnotes, Buddhism - External links

Read more here: » Buddhism: Encyclopedia II - Buddhism - Scriptures

As with any history so old, there are many different stories of how the Buddha came to be, Siddhārtha Gautama (Sanskrit सिद्धार्थ गौतम, pronounced as "sιd-dhα:rthə gautəmə"; in Pāli, Siddhattha Gautama) made his way to enlightenment. Since he belonged to the Shākya clan, he is also known as Shākyamunī (muni meaning "chief"). The Theravada tradition says that the Buddha was born around 566 BCE. One of their legends says that his birthplace is Lumbini in the Shākya state, one of a small ...

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Buddhism, Buddhism - Headline text, Buddhism - What is a Buddha?, Buddhism - Origins, Buddhism - Principles of Buddhism, Buddhism - The Three Marks of Existence, Buddhism - The Four Noble Truths, Buddhism - The Noble Eightfold Path, Buddhism - Practices of Buddhism, Buddhism - Refuge in The Three Jewels, Buddhism - The Five Precepts, Buddhism - Meditation, Buddhism - Buddha-dhatu Buddha-Principle Buddha-nature, Buddhism - Other principles and practices, Buddhism - Vegetarianism, Buddhism - Buddhist religious philosophy and branches, Buddhism - Buddhism after the Buddha, Buddhism - Principal schools of Buddhist philosophy, Buddhism - Scriptures, Buddhism - Relations with other Eastern faiths, Buddhism - Buddhism in the modern world, Buddhism - Buddhism and the West, Buddhism - Buddhism, Buddhism - Related systems and religions, Buddhism - References and Links, Buddhism - References, Buddhism - Footnotes, Buddhism - External links

Read more here: » Buddhism: Encyclopedia II - Buddhism - Origins

Buddhism {}

(See also: Buddhism, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Before the royal sponsorship of Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE, Buddhism seems to have remained a relatively minor phenomenon, and the historicity of its formative events is poorly established. Two formative councils are supposed to have taken place, although our knowledge of them is based on much later accounts. The councils tend to explain the formalization of the Buddhist doctrine, and the various subsequent schisms inside the Buddhist movement. History ...

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History of Buddhism, History of Buddhism - Life of the Buddha, History of Buddhism - Early Buddhism, History of Buddhism - 1st Buddhist council 5th c. BCE, History of Buddhism - 2nd Buddhist council 383 BCE, History of Buddhism - Ashokan proselytism c. 260 BCE, History of Buddhism - 3rd Buddhist council c.250 BCE, History of Buddhism - Hellenistic world, History of Buddhism - Asian expansion, History of Buddhism - Sunga persecutions 2nd–1st c.BCE, History of Buddhism - Greco-Buddhist interaction 2nd c. BCE–1st c. CE, History of Buddhism - Rise of Mahayana 1st c.BCE–2nd c.CE, History of Buddhism - Mahayana expansion 1st c.CE–10th c.CE, History of Buddhism - India, History of Buddhism - Central and Northern Asia, History of Buddhism - South-East Asia, History of Buddhism - Emergence of the Vajrayana 5th century, History of Buddhism - Theravada Renaissance 11th century CE—, History of Buddhism - Expansion of Buddhism to the West, History of Buddhism - Notes

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BUDDHISM

Since we waste our youth suffering from boundless ignorance and unfulfilled desire and since age is mostly a time of physical hardship and blunted hopes, it seems clear that life, for all its promises, is more a burden than a joy. Since, however, to die is to be instantly reborn into life, death is apparently an even more absolute cheat. Considering also that all things have arisen in the Mind, in the midst of the Void, and since we are ourselves our own creators and gods (in a multiplicity of aspects and a simultaneous gallimaufry of forms), there is no escaping from the inevitability of either the existing or the potential cosmos. Indeed, it is this very weariness which Reality seeks to assuage by confusing itself as to its own identity.

The Buddha, sensing the horror and outrage of life on earth, wants to lead us to the perfection of the Absolute.

He teaches that birth and death (the wheel of Samsara), together with the Karmic burden, can be dropped in enlightenment and we can enter into Nirvana directly. In an even deeper understanding we are shown that Samsara and Nirvana are already one so there is not even any need for enlightenment! (But of course you have to be enlightened before you can understand that you are already enlightened!)

To the average westerner this seems fairly tame stuff and much too intellectual for his taste. He doesnt want contemplation, he wants action. But he should understand that Buddhism is a discipline of conscious mind and is meant to accompany action, not to take its place. It is serenity of the mind which enables creative work to be done and acceptance of life to take place. The other thing the westerner sometimes fails to recognize is that death and reincarnation are as much a part of his belief system as they are that of a Hindu philosopher. What, after all, is Heaven but the prospect of rebirth on a higher plane? What is Hell but the karma of past lives?

(See also: BUDDHISM, Magick, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul, )

Main article: Buddhism in China Buddhism was introduced from India during the Han dynasty and has been very popular among Chinese of all walks of life, admired by commoners, and sponsored by emperors. Estimate of Buddhists in China range from 70 million to 150 million. ...

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Religion in China, Religion in China - Buddhism, Religion in China - Taoism, Religion in China - Islam, Religion in China - Christianity, Religion in China - Judaism, Religion in China - Recent sects, Religion in China - Falun Gong, Religion in China - Way of Former Heaven, Religion in China - Mainland China, Religion in China - External link

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This ordination of women is currently and historically practised in some Buddhist regions and not in others. The tradition of the ordained monastic community (sangha) began with Buddha, who established orders of Bhikkhu (monks) and later, after an initial reluctance, of Bhikkuni (nuns). The stories, sayings and deeds of some of the distinguished Bhikkhuni of early Buddhism are recorded in many places in the Pali Canon, most notably in the Therigatha. However, not only did the Buddha lay down more rules of discipline for the bhikkhuni (311 compared to the bhikkhu's 227), he also ...

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Ordination of women, Ordination of women - Christianity, Ordination of women - Roman Catholic Church, Ordination of women - Eastern Orthodox, Ordination of women - Anglican Communion, Ordination of women - Other communions, Ordination of women - Judaism, Ordination of women - Islam, Ordination of women - Buddhism, Ordination of women - Thailand

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Buddhism, a religion and philosophy from ancient India, is based on the teachings of the Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama, of the Shakyas. His lifetime is traditionally given as 566 to 483 BCE; it spread throughout the Indian subcontinent in the five centuries following his death. Missionaries would carry Buddhism throughout Central Asia, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Phillipines, Indonesia, Singapore, Laos, Burma etc..., Sri Lanka, Tibet, as well as East Asian countries such as China, Korea ...

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Buddhism, Buddhism - Headline text, Buddhism - What is a Buddha?, Buddhism - Origins, Buddhism - Principles of Buddhism, Buddhism - The Three Marks of Existence, Buddhism - The Four Noble Truths, Buddhism - The Noble Eightfold Path, Buddhism - Practices of Buddhism, Buddhism - Refuge in The Three Jewels, Buddhism - The Five Precepts, Buddhism - Meditation, Buddhism - Buddha-dhatu Buddha-Principle Buddha-nature, Buddhism - Other principles and practices, Buddhism - Vegetarianism, Buddhism - Buddhist religious philosophy and branches, Buddhism - Buddhism after the Buddha, Buddhism - Principal schools of Buddhist philosophy, Buddhism - Scriptures, Buddhism - Relations with other Eastern faiths, Buddhism - Buddhism in the modern world, Buddhism - Buddhism and the West, Buddhism - Buddhism, Buddhism - Related systems and religions, Buddhism - References and Links, Buddhism - References, Buddhism - Footnotes, Buddhism - External links

Read more here: » Buddhism: Encyclopedia II - Buddhism - Headline text

The Seon school, which is led by the dominant Jogye order, practices disciplined traditional Seon practice at a number of major mountain monasteries in Korea, often under the direction of highly regarded masters. Modern Seon practice is not far removed in content from the original practice of Jinul, who introduced the integrated combination of the practice of Gwanhwa meditation with the study of selected Buddhist texts. The Korean sangha life is markedly itinerant: while each monk has a "home" monastery, he will regularly travel throu ...

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Korean Buddhism, Korean Buddhism - Historical overview of the development of Korean Buddhism, Korean Buddhism - Buddhism in the Three Kingdoms, Korean Buddhism - Goguryeo, Korean Buddhism - Baekje, Korean Buddhism - Kaya, Korean Buddhism - Silla, Korean Buddhism - Buddhism in the Unified Silla period 668-918, Korean Buddhism - Buddhism as state religion in the Goryeo period 918-1392, Korean Buddhism - Suppression under the Joseon dynasty 1392-1910, Korean Buddhism - Buddhism during the Japanese occupation 1910-1945, Korean Buddhism - Buddhism and Westernization 1945-present, Korean Buddhism - Looking Ahead

Read more here: » Korean Buddhism: Encyclopedia II - Korean Buddhism - Looking Ahead

In 668, the kingdom of Silla succeeded in unifying the whole Korean peninsula, giving rise to a period of political stability that lasted for about one hundred years. This led to a high point in the scholarly studies of Buddhism in Korea. In general, the most popular areas of study were Wonyung, Yusik (Ch. 唯識; Weishi; "consciousness-only"; the East Asian form of Yogācāra), Jeongto (Pure Land), and the indigenous Korean Beopseong ("dharma-nature school"). The monk Wonhyo taught the "Pure ...

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Korean Buddhism, Korean Buddhism - Historical overview of the development of Korean Buddhism, Korean Buddhism - Buddhism in the Three Kingdoms, Korean Buddhism - Goguryeo, Korean Buddhism - Baekje, Korean Buddhism - Kaya, Korean Buddhism - Silla, Korean Buddhism - Buddhism in the Unified Silla period 668-918, Korean Buddhism - Buddhism as state religion in the Goryeo period 918-1392, Korean Buddhism - Suppression under the Joseon dynasty 1392-1910, Korean Buddhism - Buddhism during the Japanese occupation 1910-1945, Korean Buddhism - Buddhism and Westernization 1945-present, Korean Buddhism - Looking Ahead

Read more here: » Korean Buddhism: Encyclopedia II - Korean Buddhism - Buddhism in the Unified Silla period 668-918

The first lay precept in Buddhism prohibits killing. Many see this as implying that Buddhists should not eat the meat of animals. However, this is not necessarily the case. The Buddha made distinction between killing an animal and consumption of meat, stressing that it is immoral conduct that makes one impure, not the food one eats. In one of the Pali sutras belonging to the Theravada lineage of Buddhism, the Buddha says that vegetarianism is preferable, but as monks in ancient India were expected to receive all of their food by begging they ...

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Vegetarianism and religion, Vegetarianism and religion - Hinduism, Vegetarianism and religion - Buddhism, Vegetarianism and religion - Abrahamic religions, Vegetarianism and religion - Judaism, Vegetarianism and religion - Christianity, Vegetarianism and religion - Islam, Vegetarianism and religion - Jainism, Vegetarianism and religion - Taoism, Vegetarianism and religion - Bahá'í Faith, Vegetarianism and religion - Sikhism, Vegetarianism and religion - Rastafari, Vegetarianism and religion - Ayyavazhi

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Initially, the new Seon schools were regarded by the established doctrinal schools as radical and dangerous upstarts. Thus, the early founders of the various "nine mountain" monasteries met with considerable resistance, repressed by the long influence in court of the Gyo schools. The struggles which ensued continued for most of the Goryeo period, but gradually the Seon argument for the possession of the true transmission of enlightenment would gain the upper hand. The position that was generally adopted in the later Seon schools, due in larg ...

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Korean Buddhism, Korean Buddhism - Historical overview of the development of Korean Buddhism, Korean Buddhism - Buddhism in the Three Kingdoms, Korean Buddhism - Goguryeo, Korean Buddhism - Baekje, Korean Buddhism - Kaya, Korean Buddhism - Silla, Korean Buddhism - Buddhism in the Unified Silla period 668-918, Korean Buddhism - Buddhism as state religion in the Goryeo period 918-1392, Korean Buddhism - Suppression under the Joseon dynasty 1392-1910, Korean Buddhism - Buddhism during the Japanese occupation 1910-1945, Korean Buddhism - Buddhism and Westernization 1945-present, Korean Buddhism - Looking Ahead

Read more here: » Korean Buddhism: Encyclopedia II - Korean Buddhism - Buddhism as state religion in the Goryeo period 918-1392

BUDDHISM: The religion based on the doctrine of Gautama Buddha that asserts suffering is inseparable from existence and that enlightenment is achieved by the inward extinction of the self and of the senses. Buddhism is the predominant religion of eastern and central Asia, and is represented by many different sects.

(See also: BUDDHISM, Magickal Traditions, Magickal Paths, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)