Bud'dhism, n.

(bōōd'izm) (Synop., §130), n. The doctrine originally taught by the Hindu sage Gautama, surnamed Buddha, “the awakened or enlightened,” in the 6th century B. C., and adopted as a religion by the greater part of Central and Eastern Asia and the Indian Islands: at first atheistic, and aiming at release from existence (nirvâna) as its greatest good, while yet characterized by admirable humanity and morality; later, mixed with idolatrous worship of its founder and of other supposed kindred beings.