Swedish

Alternative spellings

• buddism

Noun

buddhism c.

1. (religion) Buddhism

Related terms

• buddhist
• buddhistisk

Buddhists recognize him as an awakened teacher who shared his insights to help sentient beings end their suffering by understanding the true nature of phenomena, thereby escaping the cycle of suffering and rebirth (saṃsāra), that is, achieving Nirvana. Among the methods various schools of Buddhism apply towards this goal are: ethical conduct and altruistic behaviour, devotional practices, ceremonies and the invocation of bodhisattvas, renunciation of worldly matters, cultivating continuous mindfulness, meditation, physical exercises, study, and the cultivation of wisdom.

Buddhism is broadly recognized as being composed of two major branches:

• Theravada, which has a widespread following in Southeast Asia
• Mahayana (including Pure Land, Zen, Nichiren Buddhism, Shingon, Tibetan Buddhism and Tendai), found throughout East Asia. It should be noted that in some methods of classification, Vajrayana is considered a third branch.

While Buddhism remains most popular within these regions of Asia, both branches are now found throughout the world.

Buddhist schools disagree on what the historical teachings of Gautama Buddha were, so much so that some scholars claim Buddhism does not have a clearly definable common core. Significant disagreement also exists over the importance and canonicity of various scriptures.

Various sources put the number of Buddhists in the world between 230 million and 500 million.

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.
Wed Jul 8 08:23:24 2009