Though I am not a Buddhist, I can honestly say that I have more respect for Buddhism than any other "organized religion". For the most part, these people truly practice what they preach, seek to "first do no harm", and are not judgmental.

Buddhism is in a long slow decline over the centuries. Western ideas and materialism are wiping it out. It's geographical scope keeps diminishing.

It has lost is hold in India and many areas over-run by Islam.

I truly believe that people that get involved in Buddhism don't really know what it is about. I feel that if you looked into it, you would very quickly see that it is not just about meditation and being selfless. True Buddhism involves allot more and I would suggest that you look into Chinese Beliefs. I spent 3 and a 1/2 years in Asia and I would strongly urge you to study hard, if you want to know what it is truly about!!! As a Christian I would say that it is another false belief.

If there is a religion you can trust, this would be it. So selfless...when was the last time you heard of a war in the name of buddhism?

I don't know if there is a religion that gives you so much peace and tranquility and at the same time very easy to understand. I see Buddism as a state of spirituality and mentality, rather than religion. I like that the concept and teachings of buddism is so simple and spiritual. I don't want to do contrast/compare with other religions- all religions should be respected. I believe that there's only one God, we just worship him differently. Saying that, I still believe, stricktly for me, that buddism is the way I want to worship God because I understand things better through it.

Contains a lot of wisdom and isn't arrogant like western religions.

Buddhism is not a religion, but rather a mentality.

The teachings of Buddha were great in regards to understanding nature, and the soul. Buddha was a great teacher and unfortunately became a great idol in Asia. However, there is only one God, ruler and substainer, and plenty of evidence which provides proof behind that logic.

Good principles for living and understanding nature. However, Buddha was just a man and has been taken as a golden idol. Those who worship the Buddha are lost because their idol will never help them when it comes to the Day of Judgment by the one creator.

Its OK. All religions are OK. But they CANNOT all be true. Don't be like some of these people and say "ya it's great what harm does it do?" Find out if it is true or not. If it is, you will have discovered the path to eternal bliss. If not, then look elsewhere. I challenge you to seek the truth, it's out there somewhere.

Buddha and Jesus said alot of the same things. Tread lightly here too.

If your religion makes you feel proud, or superior, or if you use it to look sneeringly down on others, Buddhism is not for you. Buddhism has no room for pride or egos. The Buddha is an ego-slayer. But has this been forgotten? Perhaps so. I'm not sure that the West totally "gets" Buddhism. But it's not totally our fault. In fact, we in the West have a dynamic opportunity to simultaneously reinvent Buddhism and take it back to its roots. And by reinventing it, I don't mean watering it down into a meaningless kind of self-help new age practice whose only purpose is to make you feel good about yourself. I mean stripping away the centuries of beliefs and superstitions and diversions that have accumulated around the Buddha's core teachings over the centuries -- the things that confuse newcomers and make Buddhism look like just another set of fantastical suppositions to be taken on blind belief. That's not what the Buddha intended. He never wanted anyone to worship him. He wanted people to stop grasping at metaphysical speculation and focus on what we have control over -- the here and now. Whether gods exist or not is irrelevant to Buddhism; whether reincarnation "happens" or not is accepted by many Buddhists but still not relevant to cultivating a path to enlightenment. And that was the Buddha's point. Focus on self-refinement, let go of your attachments to the way you want things to be (including any concepts about an afterlife!), practice loving-kindness, and cultivate compassion by first finding those things within oneself. When the Buddha implored his followers to be lamps unto themselves, he was talking about going inward through meditation -- peeling away the layers of self-deception, hatred, anger, and ignorance that we build up throughout our lives, and slowly waking up to the way things are, right here, right now. That's the beautiful simplicity of Buddhism at its core. It has nothing to do with prayers or worship or how you dress or how many times you bow or what kind of incense you burn. It's about just being here, and being mindful, overcoming your suffering, and helping others do the same. Read Stephen Batchelor's "Buddhism Without Beliefs" for an eloquent and intelligent explication of what I'm trying to say here. It may just change your life, or, at the least, the way you look at Buddhism.

I think it's pretty ridiculous that people are rating Buddhism a 1 because it's not Christianity. A religion that tries to teach you to overcome desire makes a lot more sense to me than a religion that teaches you to claim everyone who thinks diffrently than you needs to go to hell.

It is a peaceful religion, which says a lot. Most religions say thier peaceful - then go and start wars, kill non believers, torture them, etc. You get the point. Points off helping to spark off the whole new-age thing.

The funny part of Buddhism is in every other religion there's extremists, but in Buddhism, the more extreme you, are the less extreme you are. A very different concept.

A philosophy and way of life - not a religion. The Buddhists seek enlightenment - not a monotheistic concept of 'heaven.' (You 'unhelpfuls' know your beliefs but don't read many theology or philosophy books.) Also- you people claiming that Buddhism is 'on the decline' haven't travelled much. . .

I know that Buddism is becoming huge in our country, and that is very scary. People are worshipping a statue of a Legendary person, that they don't even know really existed. Buddah isn't in heaven. Buddah didn't die for you, he died (if he was real) as an ordinary guy from disease, or old age, or whatever. Jesus died for us. HE wasn't ordinary. He is the only one that I will worship, ever.

Although It's not for me,every Buddhist I've met seems to be a peaceful,considerate and kindly person.I can't think of any wars or terrorist acts committed by Buddhists!There is Wisdom in the teachings of Buddah,just like other teachings.I have never seen or heard of Fanatical Buddhists,so maybe they even deserve 5 stars!

Concept of reincarnation is cool, as is the no god thing. If they had pot as part of the religon it would be number one on my list of religons. Infinitely superior to Western religons, but still made up nonsense.

Buddhism is probably the most peaceful religon you will ever find. It teaches kindness to yourself and others, and how to overcome human suffering. To give it one star because it isn't Christianity is absoloutely disgusting. Some people are just so ignorant.

It wouldn't be fair for me to judge a religion that I do not understand. I was in Wal-Mart about a week ago and standing next to me was a man who looked like a Buddhist priest. I heard him say Make me one with everything which I thought was pretty profound until I realized that he was ordering a hot dog. He gave the hot dog vendor two dollars and the man put the money in the cash register. When the priest asked for his change he was told Change comes from within. I guess I just don't understand enlightenment.

Alot of people ill yell and shout about how this is not a religion, but some pretty weird beliefs come along with it. Reincarnation, chi, yoga, astral projection, karma, and the superiority of man over woman. All of these are from buddhism, however most are downplayed in the western culture.

My goodness warrior4thelord your an idiot. I'll choose my words wisely. You cleary somehow think that if another person wants to believe something other then you, even if they are kind and caring to all people, will be eternally damned.Wow. Theres something wrong there. Perhaps you should wake up, shut your pie hole and quit preaching to us. P.S. Buddha is not actually considered a god he was a philosipher who actually existed and yes, he died. Before you go ranting and wining about how everyone else is wrong and your always right, get your facts straight.

Although I don't know a great deal about this religion, you have to respect the fact that it's all about self enlightenment.

I really don't know much about Buddhism except that it did wonders for Tina Turner. Although I practice Christianity, I find other religions very interesting and respect people's rights to practice whatever religion they do or don't want to.

Let me clear a few misconceptions - buddhism (soto zen buddhism is really the only one I know about) - is not a religion. Zen is an exercize which helps you face reality. It does not teach anything - it helps you teach yourself. Everything is equal and part of the big existance. The Lama is no better than anyone else, by the way. Just sitting, staring at a blank wall is the zen way. This in itself is enlightenment, enlightenment is not something outside yourself. There also is some buddhist precepts analogous to the christian commandments. Don't kill, lie, steal, adulterate, intoxicate yourself, etc. There is no hell waiting for you if you break these - they are just things that impair you from enjoying reality RIGHT NOW!!! Why is this time, this place great? Because it is the only place you can be right now, get it? Of course there is a God, but he/she/it is just waiting for you to join in with this wonderful reality to see the true God in all of us. Zen doesn't teach peace we each must resolve the conflicts within ourselves, then we may begin to see such a peace. Books: S. Suzuki's book Zen mind, beginners mind and B. Warner's Hardcore Zen are recommended introductions. And then sit down and shut up!

bbutler76 is deluded. His relativism and so-called tolerance for everyone (except Christians) is misguided. I'm sick of people who say they respect all faiths and are unsure of the answers (that supposedly only God knows -- are you sure of that?) yet they bash those of a faith that claim to hold these answers. I get sick of people who say one shouldn't bash one's beliefs for such and such reason and they go and do it themselves. Buddhism is a relativistic and illogical religion -- actually it's more of a philosophy than a religion. They believe that there is no God, that suffering is caused by desires (most likely of a previous life), and that the ultimate goal for an enlightened individual is to reach the state of nirvana or a cessation of existence -- usually after multiple reincarnations. They also believe, contrary to science, that the universe is infinitely old. There is virtually no evidence of any of this. People like bbutler are hostile to the truth yet apathetic to a religion that is totally illogical. how would buddhism answer these questions: What if my desire is to rid of all desires...should I then indulge? And is life ALL suffering? Obviously most would agree that there are a lot of good things in life too. So if I want immortality on earth should I NOT be enlightened and continue causing suffering? Houston, we have a problem. The problem is error in logic.

Buddism, bad. Christianity, good.

FALSE RELIGION. JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY. IF YOU DON'T STAND FOR CHRIST, YOU STAND FOR THE DEVIL. DON'T BE DECEIVED. JESUS IS LORD.BELIEVING IN BUDDHA WILL IS NOT THE WAY, IT WILL GIVE YOU A TICKET STRAIGHT TO HELL.

Jake is a conceited prick. He thinks that his own personal religious beliefs are the only valid ones. I personally do not believe in most of the Buddhist Ideals but I have no right to say that their beliefs are wrong for such and such a reason. jake needs to learn that only God knows the answer to this. I'm sick of people like Jake who think that they personally know God's plan and that they are the only ones that are following this plan. Wake up Jake, Your sh*t stinks just like everyone else's. Your fanaticism that you call faith is very misguided and I put you in the same category as those suicide bombers.

by far the best religion in the world, not to mention the one religion with the least blood on its hands (unlike christianity and islam, the 2 religions that are bathed in oceans of blood) buddism is a religion that teaches respect for all life, along with the principles of tolerance and harmony. if more people lived by the buddist credo, the world would be a much better place.

I have been studying Buddhism for 5 months now and it has, in that short period of time, changed my life. I never imagined spiritual teaching so peaceful and so full of answers to many of lifes problems. I previously was a devoted Christian and have since stopped believing in it. I am sorry but it has got to be the most hypocritical non-sensical religion on earth! Buddhism answered all of my questions and the answers were logical and believable. I'd rather have faith in teachings that don't require faith to be believable. I hated the fact that when you had questions being a Christian, you were told to just have faith, we as simple humans won't understand everything. Only God can understand what this all means. Well that sucked!!!! Now I feel content and understand that suffering has a reason for existing and there is a way to overcome it. There is a proper, sensical way to view it. Buddhism teaches that suffering is caused by Karma, or some bad event that may have occurred in a previous life experience but we have the opportunity to correct it in this one. Now the idea of Nirvana is very encouraging. I'll say one thing about all of this, seriously it makes a heck of a lot more sense and is much more comforting than believing that faith in a man that died 2,000+ years ago is going to ease our worries. You would supposedly go on to live in heaven with Jesus and all that...you know the story. THAT SOUNDS RIDICULOUS TO ME NOW!

An ethical system based on overcoming suffering, rather than overcoming sin. It also shifts emphasis from the future and the hereafter to the *present moment*, the only moment in which it is possible to find happiness. Buddhism has more in common with Christianity than a lot of people realize, particularly love for humanity; compassion; peace; and a strong spirit of helping people in need. UPDATE: some people seem to think that Buddhism in some way involves idolatry: it most certainly does not. A Buddhist doesn't worship a statue any more than a Christian worships a crucifix. The statue is a reminder of mindfulness, as a crucifix is a reminder of a sacrifice. Having some respect for other people's religions is unlikely to hurt you: if your God is truly loving, it might even help.

I just can't get into worshiping a statue when there is a real creator GOD to worship. Why worship the creation when you can just worship the one who created it all?

Most peaceful religion, taught by a great egoless teacher. Buddhism is not a tribal legend centered on a jealous God. It is not a religion of messed up in incest, hatred and illogical rightousness. Buddhism encourages reasoning and love for all living being. No where it condons hating or hurting others. If all were Buddhist, there would be no unjust hatred and fighting.

I can never agree with the idea of reincarnation, but Buddhists get the extra stars just cuz they have a cool way of life, I have to have at least a little respect for the dedication shown by some Buddhist monks. I think it is too bad that I do not see the same amount of peaceful dedication in members of my own religion. Hmm, interesting idea.

Buddah was a man, he died.

Don't put this off. My boyfriend of five months is a buddhist. He is the most amazing men I have ever met. I have met lots of Christian guys and they were terrible to their women. Whereas buddhists are taught to cherish theirs. One of my boyfriends of the past was Islamic and I can tell you that he treated me very nicely. Much more than the Christians did. Buddhists are accepting people.

This religion promotes self-discovery and enlightenment as being paramount to the health of the soul. Look around, all the hatred, voilence, greed and sadness. If we all could just tolerate eachother and realise that our endless desire for material posessions is leading us only into spiritual emptiness the world would be a much better place. Find enlightenment in yourself and everything else will fall into place

All religions are wrong. Maybe not all equally wrong, but wrong, and a hindrance to humanity.

Buddhism is the most accepting of the traditional religions that I have studied. The Dalai Lama is the most amazing religious leader I have ever discovered, so open minded and so welcoming of the world's views. The religious rituals are so peaceful and introspective. The more confrontational religions that are crazy enough to believe that they have the only true solution could learn a lot from Buddhism.

Who wants to worship some fat, chinese statue? Pacifism and reaching enlightenment to become one with everything in the universe is just a little off the deep end, don't you think? People are only attracted to this mess because it promotes peace.

Bhuddists are calm, content people. Also, Bhuddism is a tolerant and open minded way of thinking.

Buddism has many great structurs to it such as the eight fold path and its many philosophies. but the down side is the "faith" matter. there is not enough talk about God and faith.

I like its focus on spiritual and mental peace as apposed to worshiping an almighty god. It seems to be more earty and naturistic then many other religions more in touch with the Earth and with our inner selves, which is a good thing.