The best way to describe Buddhism and its doctrines are what the Buddha taught us and what we believe. What Buddhists believe in is this
The Four Noble Truths, which are:
1) There is suffering (discontentment, unhappiness) in the world
2) There are specific causes of this suffering.
3) There is a state (a mindset, a way of life) where suffering ceases.
4) There is a path (actions, practices) to attain this state of freedom from suffering.
The Buddha laid out the Eightfold Path as what he described as "the Middle Way" to reach enlightenment. This method is less severe than the path that The Buddha followed and avoids the extremes that he tried and failed at to reach enlightenment.
The eightfold path consists of:
1. Right View
2. Right Intention (thought)
3. Right Speech
4. Right Action
5. Right Livelihood
6. Right Effort
7. Right Mindfulness
8. Right Concentration.
In Buddhism, Anatta means soul-lessness. It is a doctrine of rebirth that should be distinguished from the theory of reincarnation.
Janakabhivamsa has written: 'The fundamental doctrine of Buddhism' -- subject(s): Doctrines, Buddhism 'Vipassana meditation' -- subject(s): Accessible book, Meditation, Buddhism, Vipasyana (Buddhism)
Doctrine of Zen is diligent practice to achieve sudden enlightenment. If one starts on the path, he will arrive the other shore.
A doctrine for achieving spiritual tranquility that could coexist with confucianism
Giulio Cesare Andrea Evola has written: 'The doctrine of awakening' -- subject(s): Asceticism, Buddha and Buddhism
The Four Noble Truths are the central doctrine to Buddhism. The Truths state that suffering is part of life, that suffering is the cause of attachment, that cessation of suffering is attainable, and this cessation is possible by following the Eightfold Path.
The Tripitaka (three baskets) is a set of books that contains the Buddha's teachings. It is comprised of the Sutras, sermons and teachings of Buddha; Abhidharma, discourses on interpretation of the doctrine; and Vinay, rules for monks and nuns in monastic life. So the Tripitaka defines what Buddhism is and how we are to live our lives.
China has a history of being the birthplace of Taoism, Confucianism, and Zen Buddhism. Nowadays the Communist party is dominant, and the official doctrine is atheism. Mao had a "cult of personality" when alive.
Not all Buddhists believe in reincarnation. The Buddha did not teach reincarnation, although it is part of the doctrine of some Buddhist traditions. The Buddha spoke of 'rebirth' in some teachings. This is understood by some to refer to a new start in the present lifetime, not the beginning of a new life after death. The idea of reincarnation may have been absorbed into Buddhism from Hinduism, which does recognize and believe in reincarnation.
Buddhism is structured into several different schools of thought. For instance, there is Mahayana Buddhism, Theravada Buddhism, zen Buddhism, Nichiren Buddhism, and Pure land Buddhism.
Buddhism had influenced Chinese culture, including art, literature, and architecture.
Confucianism, Daoism and Mahayana Buddhism, though strictly speaking they are not religions in the same sense as for example Christianity, Islam or Judaism, as there is no doctrine to accept or sovereign deity to worship. Confucianism and Daoism are Chinese in origin; Buddhism came to China in several lineages" between approximately 100BC and 600AD.