I'm not Buddist but I just saw a long special on it. One of the main things they believe is in reincarnation and also they believe in achieving Enlightenment, which apparently is a challenge to do. They believe that a person, who does not live a good life may become an animal when they die and a good animal, like the family dog may be a person in another life.
-dint hurt others,
- dint live for material enjoyment
- be live in supreme lord and attain purity and combine with lord
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this is not only Buddhism but also all religious states the same and what i told is very little
Given the common association of Buddhism with the meditating monk, it would be easy to assume that Buddhism emphasizes practice over belief.
In reality, however, Buddhism centers on correct understanding of human nature and ultimate reality. The Buddha was, after all, called the "Enlightened One." He taught that the way to eliminate suffering began with understanding the true nature of the world.
However, the Buddha considered knowledge important only insofar as it remains practical. He rejected speculation about such matters as God, the nature of the universe, and the afterlife, urging his followers to focus instead on the Four Noble Truths by which they can free themselves from suffering.
Basic Points of Buddhism
In the 2,500 years since the Buddha's enlightenment, Buddhism has spread over many countries, split into numerous sects, and adopted a wide variety of beliefs, practices, rituals and customs. However, an essential unity centered around the teachings of the Buddha underlies these differences.
Is Buddhism Atheistic?
In the Basic Points of Buddhism, one doctrine agreed upon is: "We do not believe that this world is created and ruled by a God." However, disbelief in a creator God does not mean that Buddhism is atheistic.
Buddhas and Deities
In Mahayana Buddhism, the universe is populated with celestial Buddhas, Bodhisattva's, and deities that assist and inspire the Buddhist practitioner. Among the most popular are Kuan Yin, the Medicine Buddha, the Laughing Buddha and the Green and White Taras. These and other fascinating figures are explored in this section.
Human Nature
In Hinduism, the soul, or Atman, is an eternally existing spiritual substance or being and the abiding self that moves from one body to the next at rebirth. The Buddha rejected this concept.
Purpose of Life
In Buddhism, the purpose of life is to end suffering. The Buddha taught that humans suffer because we continually strive after things that do not give lasting happiness.
Reincarnation and Afterlife
The Buddha said of death:
Life is a journey.
Death is a return to earth.
The universe is like an inn.
The passing years are like dust.
Regard this phantom world
As a star at dawn, a bubble in a stream,
A flash of lightning in a summer cloud,
A flickering lamp - a phantom - and a dream.
Buddhism is a diatomic, non-theistic religion, a philosophy, and a system of psychology.
Numerous distinct groups have developed since the passing of the Buddha, with diverse teachings that vary widely in practice, philosophical emphasis, and culture. However, there are certain doctrines which are common to the majority of schools and traditions in Buddhism, though the Mahayana tends not to regard them as central.
According to the scriptures, the Buddha taught that in life there exists sorrow / suffering which is caused by desire and it can be cured (ceased) by following the Noble Eightfold Path. This teaching is called the Catv?ry ?ryasaty?ni, the "Four Noble Truths".
1. Suffering: Birth is suffering, aging is suffering, illness is suffering, death is suffering; union with what is displeasing is suffering; separation from what is pleasing is suffering; not to get what one wants is suffering; in brief, the five aggregates subject to clinging are suffering.
2. The cause of suffering: The desire which leads to renewed existence (rebirth) (the cycle of Samara)
3. The cessation of suffering: The cessation of desire.
4. The way leading to the cessation of suffering: The Noble Eightfold Path;
Suffering:
Birth is suffering,
aging is suffering,
illness is suffering,
death is suffering;
union with what is displeasing is suffering;
separation from what is pleasing is suffering;
not to get what one wants is suffering;
in brief, the five aggregates subject to clinging are suffering.
The cause of suffering: The desire which leads to renewed existence (rebirth) (the cycle of Samara)
The cessation of suffering: The cessation of desire.
The way leading to the cessation of suffering:
The Noble Eightfold Path is the way to the cessation of suffering, the fourth part of the Four Noble Truths. This is divided into three sections:
Sila (which concerns the physical bodily actions),
Samadhi (which concerns the 'Conscious' mind)
and Panna (which concerns the 'Unconscious' mind).
Sila is morality?abstaining from unwholesome deeds of body and speech. Within the division of Sula are three parts of the Noble Eightfold Path:
Right Speech - One speaks in a non hurtful, not exaggerated, truthful way (smug-v?c, Sammy-v?c?)
Right Actions - Wholesome action, avoiding action that would do harm (smack-karm?nta, Sammy-kammanta)
Right Livelihood - One's way of livelihood does not harm in any way oneself or others; directly or indirectly (samyag-?j?va, samm?-?j?va)
Samadhi is developing mastery over one?s own mind. Within this division are another three parts of the Noble Eightfold Path:
Right Effort/Exercise - One makes an effort to improve (samyag-vy?y?ma, samm?-v?y?ma)
Right Mindfulness/Awareness - Mental ability to see things for what they are with clear consciousness (samyak-sm?ti, samm?-sati)
Right Concentration - Being aware of the present reality within oneself, without any craving or aversion. (samyak-sam?dhi, samm?-sam?dhi)
Panna is the wisdom which purifies the mind. Within this division fall two more parts of the Noble Eightfold Path:
Right Thoughts - Change in the pattern of thinking. (samyak-sa?kalpa, samm?-sa?kappa)
Right Understanding - Understanding reality as it is, not just as it appears to be. (samyag-d???i, samm?-di??hi)
The word samyak means "perfect". There are a number of ways to interpret the Eightfold Path. On one hand, the Eightfold Path is spoken of as being a progressive series of stages through which the practitioner moves, the culmination of one leading to the beginning of another, whereas others see the states of the 'Path' as requiring simultaneous development. It is also common to categorize the Eightfold Path into praj?? (P?li pa???, wisdom), ??la (P?li s?la, virtuous behaviour) and sam?dhi (concentration).
What is the main religious belief of buddhism?
