A description of Buddhism

Answer 1

Buddhism is not a religion rather it is a tradition that focuses on personal spiritual development. Buddhists strive for a deep insight into the true nature of life and do not worship gods or deities.

Buddhism was founded in Northern India by the first known Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, in 6th century BC, after he attained enlightenment and assumed the title Lord Buddha (one who has awakened). Buddhism is a path of practice and spiritual development leading to Insight into the true nature of reality. Buddhist practices like meditation are means of changing yourself in order to develop the qualities of awareness, kindness, and wisdom.

Answer 2

Someone asked this of Hotei, a corpulent zen monk who travelled around Japan back in the day.

His answer was physical: he set his bag down.

"How is this to be achieved?" lead the followup.

Again physical answer: he picked up his bag and continued on his way.

Buddhism do not believe in God. It believes that human being is suffereing from sorrows for which root cause is Craving and ignorance. Therefore the main aim of Buddhism is to eradicate sorrows of ourself and others. Buddha has given a definite pathway (8 fold pathway) to eradicate sorrows. All followers must try to overcome their sorrows and achive a state of sorrowless (peace) i. e. Nibbana, without spending time in unnecessary, hypothetical and imaginary philosophies.

I read once from a commentator on Buddhism (but not a practising Buddhist) "Being a Buddhist seems to make you happier, and therefore creates more happiness for those around you and leads people to playing a more meaningful part of their communities. Oh and it might also lead to permanent bliss."