There are many people who have run across Buddhism, but few understand it is an overriding philosophy of life instead of just another religion. It is a belief system that originated in India centuries ago, and it continues to thrive today. It encompasses every part of the life of those who practice it, and it involves learning how to get past dissatisfaction and suffering to achieve Nirvana.
There are those who have labeled it as a philosophy instead of a religion, but those who practice it on a daily basis are committed to their belief system. They learn the basics as children in other religious disciplines, and they then spend a lifetime trying to achieve them. Buddhism is a system of truths that help people understand why they are unhappy, and it assists them with achieving happiness by letting go of their earthly desires.
Buddhism appears to be an easy discipline to follow, but it can be quite complex when taken on an individual basis. Each person practicing it has their own wants and desires, and their goal is to rid their life of them. For those who have simple desires, giving up anything they really want can be difficult, and those who have complex desires must find what they truly want before letting go of it. The need to let go can also be considered a desire, so it can create its own complications.
Reincarnation is a basic part of the Buddhist realm, so those who practice it understand they will have more opportunities in the future to achieve their goals. While it is desirable to be able to reach Nirvana in their current lifetime, their philosophy offers them some comfort for continued life after death. Like the Hindu religion, the Wheel of Life will carry them further down the path as they progress through each cycle of living in the modern world.
