Why did people follow Buddhist teachings?

Answer 1

Buddhist's choose to follow Buddhism as it is a form of enlightenment, and a gracious way to live life.

Answer:

The most obvious answer is that if they followed anything else they'd be anything-else-ists. People eventually find a way of life or thinking that they agree with. This religion or philosophy meets their needs and helps them understand the "bigger" meanings of life. In the case of Buddhists, the Four Noble Truths correctly identify the human condition (All life involves suffering) and offers route out of the suffering that does not involve the interaction of a deity. The Eightfold Path is a good road map for human interaction that i applicable to any person, regardless of religious orientation.

Answer 2

In short, one would become a Buddhist in order to live a better life, and to achieve a state of absolute consciousness, without any degree of suffering, through many years of meditation and healthy decisions. Buddhism is a system of behaviors and attitudes that should theoretically help one live a healthier and happier life, if one adheres to the time-tested principles that the Shakyamuni Buddha taught his students 2500 years ago. That original system evolved, and today most Buddhists practice ornately stylized forms of Buddhism as though it were a religion (in competition with other religions); however, many atheist Buddhists practice the tenets of the system without adhering to any prescribed cultural traditions. In addition, many spiritually oriented people incorporate the psychological philosophy of Buddhism into their daily lives without sacrificing the religious beliefs of their childhoods. For example, there are Roman Catholic priests who practice Zen Buddhism, because they recognize no religious conflict between the two belief systems. Many people who are born into cultures where Buddhism is the most popular religion (e.g., Nepal, Sri Lanka, or Thailand) choose to adopt the traditions of their friends and family. In such areas, becoming anything other than a Buddhist would contradict the natural course of events.
On the other hand, citizens of most Western nations have more religious options. In the United States, the First Amendment to our Constitution prevents the government from forcing one particular religion upon us, and we derive from that freedom the right to choose what spiritual direction we want our lives to take. One might follow in the religious footsteps of their parents - or one might choose something else for oneself and become a Christian, a Muslim, a Buddhist, a Hindu, an Atheist, or a devotee of a different belief system - and there are myriads of religious and irreligious belief systems in the world.

Answer 3

It is a tough question, why does anybody believe in any religion? People have their own personal answers. The reason is usually that it works for them and other philosophies and religions don't.
Buddhism is actually a different version of Hinduism but it can per se go along with any religion that doesn't completely contradict it, so people don't believe in Buddhism itself its just an addition to there current religion

That answer above is totally incorrect.

People, like myslef, believe in the Buddha's teachings because the teachings are logical, describe the problems with how we (all people) have with living in a confusing and chaotic world and offers a way to live in that world with less strife and suffering. Also Buddhism is a completely distinct and separate religion from Hinduism and all other religions.

Answer 4

People choose to be Buddhist so they can reach nirvana (enlightenment). In addition to that it religious freedom is an ever prevalent factor.

ANS#2:

The most salient point in Buddhism is the FREEDOM to think and analyze. Buddha encouraged his followers to analyze his teachings. Only if they agreed with them should they accept and follow. There are no dogmas and commandments, forcing people to accept.

The basic 5 principles which Buddhists follow are universal values. They are as follows:

1. To refrain from killing;

2. To refrain from stealing;

3. To refrain from committing sexual misconduct;

4. To refrain from telling lies; and

5. To refrain from taking intoxicating substances.

The Buddha preached COMPASSION for all beings. Non violence is the essential theme.

The Buddha revealed the universal truth of the nature of this world and this existence. His explanations were based on facts that we could analyze. His revelations have been proven to be consistent with subsequent scientific discoveries.

The emphasis on cultivating and training the mind is yet another salient point which people choose Buddhism. A tamed mind is a gentle mind. He who has tamed his mind is a person who can live a peaceful and harmless live. He is the master of his mind. He is not one who is a slave of his mind leading to greed, hatred, and delusion.

Answer 5

Generally people change alliance to a religion or philosophy when it offers better "answer" than whatever they are presently doing. In the case of Buddhism in it'st early years in Hindu based society, poor people di';t like the Caste System which would essentially prohibit them from rising to the upper castes.

In the early years in the far east it can be assured Buddhism was new, foreign and interesting (to start with) but presented a world view that appealed tot he masses over the long run.

In the Weat Buddhism was seen as new, exotic and foreign and thus interesting to start with but eventually was seen to provide degree of self-reliance not present int eh Christian sects.

Answer 6

Most people nowadays are turning to Buddhism because they recognize that their lives have more problems. These are problems that everybody has been facing almost forever, so nothing special about what you or I experience now.

Answer 7

Each Buddhist can probably answer this in their own way. Most people coming to Buddhism might say the wish to attain liberation or enable others to become liberated was their primary reason.

Answer 8

So they can achieve enlightenment

Answer 9

Omg general people choose to follow a religion or philosophy of life because it meets their needs or seems correct to them. This applies to all religious followers as well as Buddhists.