| When many people think about Buddhism they think | | | | you through the journey from regular life to |
| about a bald Asian man that can walk over fire and | | | | enlightenment. Consider how in Christianity, Jesus is |
| use his mind to move items. This exaggeration is a | | | | someone that shows people what his assumption of |
| result of the entertainment industry, and Buddhists I find | | | | values are, and there is a reward in the end, or eternal |
| are more impressive than how they have been | | | | consequence (heaven or hell). In Buddhism, the Buddha |
| portrayed. They practice at a lifestyle which is | | | | is only the knowledgeable one meant to show you |
| incomparable to many others, and ultimately brings the | | | | how to travel the path of life and reach enlightenment. |
| reward of enlightenment. | | | | Studies have been done on Buddhists, and the way |
| The many religions that exist today are based on the | | | | their cognitive processes work are entirely different |
| belief of a deity. They have not only the specific belief | | | | than that of any other human. Buddhism is truly about |
| in a deity, but some mythical story also that explains | | | | reaching a level of happiness that is sublime. Many |
| how they came to earth and influenced a great | | | | scientists consider this religion about the science of the |
| amount of the population. On top of this, these deities | | | | mind. There are a huge number of Atheist intellectuals |
| have a written text that comes as a result of the | | | | in the world that say they don't want to be part of any |
| teachings of this human form of the deity, and this text | | | | religion, but if they were to ever practice one it would |
| not only explains the values of the religion but also | | | | definitely be Buddhism. |
| what to do and what not to do. All religions share | | | | Those that practice Buddhism do so for a better life. |
| these similarities and have some very fundamental | | | | They want to achieve a level of happiness that is |
| similarities between them. Buddhism however | | | | proven to be done. They also see everything in the |
| expresses something quite different. | | | | most peaceful way possible and commit themselves |
| Many people consider Buddhism a religion, but it is | | | | to do no harm to others. Compare that with other |
| more of a lifestyle. First of all, Buddhism does not imply | | | | religions, where the very essence of what they do to |
| anything supernatural (besides reincarnation, which is | | | | others (which is at times extremely harmful) comes |
| open for interpretation). Buddha himself is referred to | | | | from the core of their religious beliefs. |
| as a guide, and not a god. Buddha is the one to take | | | | |