On occasion Buddhists get asked the question, “What exactly is Buddhism?” There are literally a plethora of ways to answer this question, because there’s no one real answer or way of answering it. As long as you’re a practicing Buddhist and have knowledge of your path and practice, there’s no wrong way of answering this question.
There are two ways I answer this question. The first is to show them! When I say show them, I don’t mean it in the sense as something you can show them on the spot, but rather the observation people make of you if they know you or have seen you interact with people over time, and then one day asked about Buddhism. So, when I say “show” them, I mean this: As a practicing Buddhist, one should be always practicing loving-kindness and loving-compassion, never getting angry or frustrated, and always tolerant with patience. So when someone sees that you have these qualities, you can say, “it’s everything you see in me; loving-kindness, compassion, patience, and tolerance.” Being a Buddhist isn’t about being a monk wearing robes, or having statues of Buddhas, or things like that. You’re a Buddhist because of your practice, the way you live your life with peace and happiness. And when people see this peace and happiness in you, they will know and understand that Buddhism develops inner peace and outer happiness to all.
The second way to answer is to ask the person what they think Buddhism is. This way you can see what their basic knowledge is, and if it’s correct you can agree and expand on the subject, or if it’s incorrect you can correct them and tell them what it actually is. Sometimes people might be hesitant to answer this, feel like you’re avoiding the question, or simply tell you they don’t know. But try to get something out of them, because whether what they know is true or false, you have something to work with and expand on, instead of having to explain from the very basics. This way of answering the question is better suited for individuals who you don’t know, work with, or in some kind of contact with as if you were with the first way. Because these strangers can’t see how you normally act or handle things, they won’t know that your nature is to practice loving-kindness, compassion, and patience, so in that case, it’s better to find out what they know and go from there.
If you have to start with the very basics, then hopefully you know them. If not, start with Siddartha Gautama himself. Siddartha lived a lavish life as a prince in the 5th century B.C. Being sheltered from the outside world and life of his palace, he had no knowledge of everyday, worldly situations like sickness, old age, and death. Once he did, he left his life as a prince and became an ascetic to find a way to escape these worldly sufferings of life, sickness, old age, and death. After many years, Siddartha attained Enlightenment and became the Buddha! So, Buddhism is a path of practice and spiritual development leading to insight into the true nature of reality – a practice to teach you how to escape suffering; extinguish attachment, greed, and ignorance; and ultimately find Enlightenment!
Smile and be well!