Buddhism

/ˈbudɪzəm/

/ˈbʊdɪzəm/

Other forms: Buddhisms

Definitions of Buddhism

1. noun

   the teaching of Buddha that life is permeated with suffering caused by desire, that suffering ceases when desire ceases, and that enlightenment obtained through right conduct and wisdom and meditation releases one from desire and suffering and rebirth
   types:

   Mahayana, Mahayana Buddhism

   one of two great schools of Buddhist doctrine emphasizing a common search for universal salvation especially through faith alone; the dominant religion of China and Tibet and Japan

   Theravada, Theravada Buddhism

   one of two great schools of Buddhist doctrine emphasizing personal salvation through your own efforts; a conservative form of Buddhism that adheres to Pali scriptures and the non-theistic ideal of self purification to nirvana; the dominant religion of Sri Lanka (Ceylon) and Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand and Laos and Cambodia

   Lamaism, Tibetan Buddhism

   a Buddhist doctrine that includes elements from India that are not Buddhist and elements of preexisting shamanism

   Zen, Zen Buddhism

   a Buddhist doctrine that enlightenment can be attained through direct intuitive insight

   Shingon

   a form of Buddhism emphasizing mystical symbolism of mantras and mudras and the Buddha's ideal which is inexpressible

   Tantra, Tantrism

   doctrine of enlightenment as the realization of the oneness of one's self and the visible world; combines elements of Hinduism and paganism including magical and mystical elements like mantras and mudras and erotic rites; especially influential in Tibet

   Hinayana, Hinayana Buddhism

   an offensive name for the early conservative Theravada Buddhism; it died out in India but survived in Sri Lanka and was taken from there to other regions of southwestern Asia

   Yogacara

   one of the main traditions of Mahayana Buddhism; holds that the mind is real but that objects are just ideas or states of consciousness

   type of:

   faith, religion, religious belief

   a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
2. noun

   a religion represented by the many groups (especially in Asia) that profess various forms of the Buddhist doctrine and that venerate Buddha
   types:

   Zen, Zen Buddhism

   school of Mahayana Buddhism asserting that enlightenment can come through meditation and intuition rather than faith; China and Japan

   Mahayana

   a major school of Buddhism teaching social concern and universal salvation; China; Japan; Tibet; Nepal; Korea; Mongolia

   Hinayana

   a major school of Buddhism teaching personal salvation through one's own efforts

   Tantrism

   movement within Buddhism combining elements of Hinduism and paganism

   type of:

   faith, organized religion, religion

   an institution to express belief in a divine power