Why did people start following the religion Buddhism?

Answer 1

The practice of Buddhism is involves the practice of Morality, Concentration and Wisdom. In Morality, the practitioner takes up a minimum of 5 precepts to follow in daily life. In Concentration, the practitioner practices meditation for calming the mind. In Wisdom, the practitioner gains insight through a still mind or develops wisdom through reading the teachings of the Buddha.

Answer 2

Well, Buddhism helps bring peace to people. Happiness. All following Buddhism entails is knowing what the basic teachings are and putting them into practice, not becoming a monk or shaving your head.

The fundamental philosophy is that desire causes suffering and therefore should be removed. I would say that the fundamental philosophy is that one cannot know anything absolutely, that beyond that one cannot know the probability of something being true. The result is something called "unknowing," that you don't know anything. Though this you are able to let go of the material world, and all the disappointment and suffering that comes with it.

Answer 3

Buddhists and many other religious and philosophical types have done a lot of thinking about the relation of mankind to the rest of the universe. The study of these writings provides a step up for people seeking understanding of the "Big Questions". People of all types study Buddhism. If they like what they see and use it, they are technically Buddhiists

Joining Buddhism is not to be confused with shaving one's head and donning saffron robes in a lamasery. It is an a incorporation of the four noble truths and the remedies for desire into your life. The Dalai Lama advises people interested in Buddhism to examine it, take the parts that are useful and leave the rest. Nothing in Buddhist belief prevents a person from Dual Citizenship with other religions.

Thre are many types of Buddhist:

Some people are born into it.

Some people dismiss the idea of a supernatural being (God(s)) and all the trappings of religion such as souls and eternal life. They may be attracted to Buddhism as a guideline for proper response to problems and life issues, without accepting the life after death or reincarnation considerations.

Some people accept the supernatural aspects of Buddhism and study Buddhism as a guideline for for proper response to life issues.

Some people maintain their original religion but study and adopt Buddhist philosophical responses to life issues, an adjunct to their religions teachings.

Answer 4

I would assume that as people heard either the Buddha or one of his followers teaching the Dharma, that they found the message of the Buddha appealed to them spiritually and therefore were willing to follow him. As people converted they told their stories to others and they found the Buddhas message and teachings appealing and they converted also. This has kept on going till today.

My story is much like that of above. I was not born a Buddhist, but as I studied both my birth religion and other religions I found Buddhism most appealing. After much study I converted also. I find that I get much peace and joy from the Buddha's teachings. Though being a Buddhist is somewhat harder than my birth religion, that only required me to believe. As a Buddhist I must continually study, practice and reflect. But it is a joyous study, practice and reflection. The Buddha tells us to enjoy life and be happy, there is never guilt or fear used as a tool to comply. I have never been generally happier in my life.

Answer 5

People will follow any thought leader for basically the same reasons:

• What he says makes sense
• What he says offers a solution to their problems
• Everyone else is doing it
• It's part of a string of changing from one religion to another in their search for a religion that fits them
  
• They want to be with the "in" crowd
• Their parents did , so it's good enough for them