Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Buddhism \Bud"dhism\, n.
The religion based upon the doctrine originally taught by the
Hindu 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.
[1913 Webster]
Buddhism
n 1: a religion represented by the many groups (especially in
Asia) that profess various forms of the Buddhist
doctrine and that venerate Buddha
2: 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
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