Definition of Buddhism

1. Noun. A religion represented by the many groups (especially in Asia) that profess various forms of the Buddhist doctrine and that venerate Buddha.

Generic synonyms: Faith, Organized Religion, Religion
Specialized synonyms: Zen, Zen Buddhism, Mahayana, Hinayana, Tantrism
Member holonyms: Buddhist
Derivative terms: Buddhist, Buddhistic

2. 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.

Definition of Buddhism

1. n. The religion based upon the doctrine originally taught by the Hindoo sage Gautama Siddartha, surnamed Buddha, "the awakened or enlightened," in the sixth century b. c., and adopted as a religion by the greater part of the inhabitants of Central and Eastern Asia and the Indian Islands. Buddha's teaching is believed to have been atheistic; yet it was characterized by elevated humanity and morality. It presents release from existence (a beatific enfranchisement, Nirvâna) as the greatest good. Buddhists believe in transmigration of souls through all phases and forms of life. Their number was estimated in 1881 at 470,000,000.

Definition of Buddhism

1. Noun. The religion and philosophy founded by the Indian teacher Gautama Buddha ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Medical Definition of Buddhism

1. The teaching ascribed to gautama buddha (ca. 483 b.c.) holding that suffering is inherent in life and that one can escape it into nirvana by mental and moral self-purification. (webster, 3d ed) (12 Dec 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Buddhism

bud sagebrush
bud stage
bud up
buda
budas
budburst
budbursts
buddas
budded
buddeised milk
budder
budders
buddhas
buddhi
buddied
buddier
buddies
buddiest
budding and appendaged bacteria
buddings
buddingtonite
buddle
buddled
buddleia
buddleias
buddles
buddling

Literary usage of Buddhism

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. A Student's Philosophy of Religion by William Kelley Wright (1922)
"But one thing is certain: Whilst the buddhism of the continent [of Asia] is dead, the buddhism of Japan still lives, though somewhat weakened, ..."

2. The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge: Embracing by Johann Jakob Herzog, Philip Schaff, Albert Hauck (1908)
"The goal of buddhism is Nirvana. A definition of this term is almost impossible ... The history of buddhism is a curious bit of irony; the founder who had ..."

3. India: what Can it Teach Us?: A Course of Lectures Delivered Before the by Friedrich Max Müller (1883)
"LETTERS ON buddhism. A Conference on buddhism was held in June 1883 at Sion ... May I venture, however, to say that a discussion on buddhism in general ..."

4. The World's Parliament of Religions: An Illustrated and Popular Story of the by John Henry Barrows (1893)
"This is the point forcibly elucidated in the Southern buddhism. ... This is the Northern buddhism, which is especially elucidated in Japan. ..."

5. The Imperial Gazetteer of India by Sir William Wilson Hunter (1886)
"SPREAD OF buddhism. ritual on the basis of relic-worship or the ... Spread of In the year after his great Council at Patna (244 BC), his son buddhism. ..."

6. The Catholic Encyclopedia: An International Work of Reference on the by Charles George Herbermann, Edward Aloysius Pace, Condé Bénoist Pallen, Thomas Joseph Shahan, John Joseph Wynne (1913)
"Wherever buddhism has prevailed, the caste-system has remained untouched. Strictly speaking, Buddha's order was composed only of those who renounced the ..."

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