What do Buddhism means?

Answer 1

The word "Buddhism" derives from "buddha". The one called "Buddha" is someone who has discovered nature of things as they are (among the whole of existing : life , universe, etc.) His was the only one able to understand completely and by himself all the life process: "Buddhism" is then Buddha's teaching, it is the way he suggests us to follow. Above all Buddhism is first a practice which purpose is understanding but it is in no case a belief.

Buddhism is not a religion, even if a lot of people say so and practice it as a religion.

This web site (dhammadana.fr) helps you to understand what Buddhism exactly is. It is made by a monk who has abandoned everything to fully practice Buddhism and who respects the monastic code. It is not only somebody who is happy with just studying texts. He has fully devoted himself to practice to be able to experience things by his own.

It is very important to make this clear because it is only on this that Buddhism and its understanding are based: i.e. practice.

Answer 2

Buddhism means that the practioners follow The Buddha's teaching. As Buddha means "the enlightened one" Buddhism then means "the followers of the enlightened teachings". This is parallel to the Christians' name being derived from Jesus the Christ (meaning "the anointed") so their name would mean "followers of the anointed one"