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What do Buddhists believe?

PinkCrystalPinkCrystal
edited November 2009 in Buddhism Basics
This is going to sound like a really basic question, but I am a beginner and want it simple! What is Buddhism? What do Buddhists believe? How is it different to other beliefs?

Comments

  • fivebellsfivebells Veteran
    edited November 2009
    Buddhism in a nutshell
  • PinkCrystalPinkCrystal
    edited November 2009
    Thank you I'll have a read of that.
  • DhammaDhatuDhammaDhatu Veteran
    edited November 2009
    Buddhism believes certain actions, speech, thoughts & views bring suffering and certain alternative actions, speech, thoughts & views bring real & reliable happiness.

    Kind regards

    :)
  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator
    edited November 2009
    Further on from Dhamma Dhatu's response, Buddhists believe this, because in point of fact, it is an indisputable Truth.

    So, what's to believe...?

    Buddhists are never supposed to - or asked - to 'believe' anything.

    We're encouraged to listen to everything we learn through Buddhism (and indeed, perhaps from elsewhere) and evaluate it according to its merits (or otherwise) before accepting it, rejecting it, or laying it aside for later cogitation....
  • sukhitasukhita
    edited November 2009
    And here's a Buddhist saying that support the response from Federica:

    Do not accept any of my words on faith,
    Believing them just because I said them.
    Be like an analyst buying gold, who cuts, burns,
    And critically examines his product for authenticity.
    Only accept what passes the test
    By proving useful and beneficial in your life.
  • Geoff-AllenGeoff-Allen
    edited November 2009
    I would recommend a couple of books that I found enlighteneing -

    "Awakening the Buddha Within" by Lama Surya Das

    "The Tibetan book of living and dying" by Sogyal Rinpoche

    Hope this helps!

    Namaste
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