What Is Buddhism Continued?

What is Buddhism? It is not suffering. Buddhism is freedom from suffering. It is important to note here that suffering is a meaning translated from a Pali word. As in all religions and philosophies the translation of a word or group of words is very important in understanding the intent of the original teacher. This Pali word is Dukkha. It can be translated in a number of fashions.

One is suffering. This has become the popular translation. It can also be unease, dis-ease, out-of-kilter, etc. Some modern day words to describe Dukkha are anxiety, panic, fear, shyness, sadness, depression, etc. Just about anything that causes a concern in your life that is not a state of true happiness.
What is Buddhism? It is the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. Translated, this is the man that originally taught this magnificent philosophy, his teachings, and the people that follow his teachings. Buddhism is a 'way' to have a better life. Shakyamuni was so 'on' with his observations and realizations that more than 2500 years later his words and philosophy are quoted and used in everything from Christianity to new-age spiritualism.
I believe Shakyamuni's words, that is, his teachings have been somewhat altered since his death. A very wise man that realized nirvana, the release of all things that cause unease, taught a great, virtuous way to live. To 'see' these things, this 'way' he had to have great insight and capable of inferring much. He must have been a captivating man with great reasoning and logistical skills. All this in a manner that was most 'political' and compassionate to all. It is this that we, as seekers of this path, are trying to emulate in our lives.
When a man (The Buddha) says "I am a man, I am not a god ..." or "question everything ..." or "of what I know, I have only told you a little because any more would not help you ..." etc., It is very probable that much of his teachings has been made mystical to a certain degree. This embellishment of his life and teachings is done out of great respect. Shakyamuni was a great sage.
Now, in my answer to what is Buddhism I try to stay as level headed as possible. I can see how anyone especially the ancients would have deified this man and his words. I believe though, that Shakyamuni never wanted this at all. This is not to say that he didn't attain mystical states of personal existence. It's just that people that don't understand tend to apply meaning to what they don't understand. They do this in an attempt to understand. At times they even make outright false claims.

A Spiritual Path

Not to sound like an over-zealous missionary standing at your door with holy scripture in hand, but Buddhism is a path that removes all of your pain, suffering, and unease if you allow it. How is this so? I believe it is because Buddhism immerses or plunges you into the truth of pain, suffering, and unease. Why? Because this is the reality of life. Where other teachings want to flee and deny these truths Buddhism embraces them in a real sense.
It matters not the cause, so much, of your suffering. Shakyamuni identified all suffering -birth, disease, death,and more- as a part of the human condition. As a result he taught that we transcend the delusion of anything other than the reality of these concerns. His teaching and message, is that of you experiencing happiness and joy right here, right now. That is, there is a way to end suffering in your life while here on earth. This way was taught twenty-five hundred years ago and is still taught today.
What is Buddhism? It is a spiritual path, or it could simply be called a 'way' that facilitates the release of your true inner nature. Your true inner nature is your Buddha-self. There is a saying in Buddhism that not all people are Buddhists but all people are Buddha’s. That is, everyone has the potential to attain the attributes of a Buddha. Your Buddha-self is the you free of delusion.
Buddhism is mind training. Mind training helps to shed what many call the ego. This allows for the fog of illusion to clear. Then you can see reality as it truly exists. Ego is simply the layers of illusion that cloud your true vision. Mind training is the way. Shakyamuni's teachings, his dharma, will guide you.

A Great Philosophy

What is Buddhism? Buddhism is a philosophy. The reason for this is that the teachings instruct on how to live a noble life. This noble way of life allows for you to experience true joy and happiness. The core of Buddhism teaches you with reason and good common sense. In this way it allows for you to shatter your ego self, the illusions that impede your way on your path.

The Middle Way

What is Buddhism? It is the Middle Way. The reason for this is that a life too excessive or a life too neglectful is not conducive to finding your way. You will not realize awakening, enlightenment, or nirvana this way. A life that overloads the senses, or a life that neglects the senses will be a life that is lost, a life filled with illusion. The middle way is the path that exists between these two spectrum's. This is where you will find the path of Buddhism.
Shakyamuni was raised in a family of wealth. He had available to him most of the excesses that wealth could buy. He left his family and his way of life as he realized enlightenment could not be found with these excesses. While traveling he practice self denial. As a result, he also realized enlightenment was not found through the neglect of one's self. What he did find was that somewhere between these extremes was the answer. This midpoint between neglect and excess is called the Middle Way.

Bliss

What is Buddhism? It is a path to happiness. The attributes of a Buddha are one of bliss. This is not an incoherent spaced out form of bliss. It is a very aware and realistic bliss. In this bliss you see the joy of the world around you. This bliss is a state of being called nirvana, enlightenment or awakening. There are other Buddhist terms for nirvana as well. As you walk this path you shall walk towards the awakening of your true self.
Once you have realized this state of bliss you will be free of fears, anxiety, and desires that cause suffering. You will also see your life and the world in which you live in a different manner. This new way of seeing things will shed the veils of illusion which in turn will collapse any delusions you have generated.

The New Buddhism

What is Buddhism? It is a path or way that has exploded into the western world. As a result Buddha Shakyamuni's wisdom is more accessible to you then ever. Whatever school you follow, the core teachings, the four noble truths, are taught. Buddhism teaches that you maintain an open mind, investigate the dharma, and question anything that seems illogical, irrational, or simply unbelievable.
What is Buddhism? All of Buddhism could be summed up as The Four Noble Truths. These truths relate the possibilities and the actual path to realization. They are taught in every Buddhist tradition. END=OM MANI PADME HUM.( 3 TIMES ).RESEARCH TIBET DHARMA BY VENERABLE GESHE TESERING TASHI.VIETNAMESE TIBET NUN.29/1/2012.NEW ZELAND.( NHA TRANG ).