Hypertext Webster Gateway: "buddhism"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Buddhism \Bud"dhism\, 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,
Nirv[^a]na) 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.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
Buddhism
n 1: the religion venerating Buddha represented by many groups
especially in Asia [syn: {Buddhism}]
2: the ethical philosophy of Buddha; emphasizes physical and
spiritual discipline as a means of liberation from the
physical world [syn: {Buddhism}]
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