Expert: Justin Choo - 1/26/2008

Question
I am in a Worlds Religion course in college and I was wondering if you would answer a few questions for the interview part of my essay?  I know you have probably answered these questions before but I do appreciate your help.

1. How long have you been practicing this religion?

2. How did you learn about Buddhism?

3. What are some of the central beliefs?

4. What are some of the rituals?

5. What is nirvana?

6. What are some steps one can take to become Buddhist?

7. In Christianity people read from the bible.  Is there a book or something along those lines for Buddhism?

8. How is karma defined in Buddhism?

9. Are there any daily routines that you do?

10.What are the five precepts?

11. What are the important holidays and traditions?

12. How has the religion shaped your life?

13.  What are the challenges, if any, to practicing this particular religion?


Answer
Hi Tamara,

No problem!

1. How long have you been practicing this religion?
2. How did you learn about Buddhism?
I was born as a Buddhist, but I self-studied Buddhism and learned from monks and other teachers to know in greater depth.

3. What are some of the central beliefs?

The Buddha discovered the way to peace and happiness through realizing the true nature of life and this universe. It was more than 2500 years ago in northern India where the Buddha through harnessing the power of his mind realized that if man were to be free of greed, hatred and delusion, he had to look inwards into his mind, and start cleansing his inner defilements. If one reduces one's defilements, one would experience peace and happiness. He discovered that the whole world had certain characteristics and that life continued to exist because of certain causes. This world is very uncertain and unsatisfactory, because we cannot be fully satisfied in life; and that nothing is permanent. He also pointed out that because of our craving for permanent and complete satisfaction, we were always miserable.
The most salient aspect of Buddhism is FREEDOM in its practice. The Buddha encouraged his followers to use their common sense and human intelligence to analyze his teachings before accepting them. He pointed out that there was no super agent who controlled us, punished us and rewarded us. We are not puppets on the strings; and there is no puppeteer up above to manipulate us. The natural law of cause and effect rules the world. No matter what you are and where you are, or what you believe, this universal LAW rules supreme. There is no escape. It is perfectly impartial. In simple language, good begets good; evil begets evil.
Buddhist teachings are like air. They are free, and non-discriminating. If anyone thinks they are beneficial, then they can breathe the air. If anyone chooses otherwise, then it's up to the person. This is the "religion" of Buddhism....Truth, Peace, Harmlessness, and Freedom.  A more appropriate term to describe Buddhism is "humanism". It deals with the peaceful conduct of human lives.


4. What are some of the rituals?

Buddhism is about inner peace through the cultivation of the mind.  It is about universal truths which transcend race, nationality, time and space.  Ceremonies and rites and rituals are social activities invented by people to satisfy social and emotional needs.  Long before the Buddha's time, India was already a very civilized nation.  Rites and rituals and customs and traditions were already in existence.  The Buddha did not have to invent all these.  In other religions, social ceremonies are part of their religious practice.  In Buddhism, various cultures  incorporate their own rites and rituals into the Buddhist practice.  But generally, when there is a ceremonial activity, it will involve the chanting of suttas (the Buddha's discourses).

5. What is nirvana?
No more craving and attachment; freedom from the cycle of birth and death. More info:   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana

6. What are some steps one can take to become Buddhist?
Practise the Buddha's teachings.

7. In Christianity people read from the bible.  Is there a book or something along those lines for Buddhism?
Only one thing is holy, the proper conduct of our lives to live in peace and without harming others.  All the Buddha's teachings are compiled in three groups called the Tipitakka (translated as three baskets).  They are not commandments, but teachings of the Buddha for us to analyze and accept and practise, only if we agree with them.

8. How is karma defined in Buddhism?
Volitional actions which create corresponding reactions.  The eternal law of cause and effect. For more info:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karma


9. Are there any daily routines that you do?
Eat, sleep, exercise, answering questions!!  Not joking!!


10.What are the five precepts?
Refraining from:
i. killing
ii. stealing
iii. sexual misconduct  
iv. lying
v. taking intoxicating substances

These are the five precepts recommended by the Buddha that everyone should live by.

 
11. What are the important holidays and traditions?

The most important holiday is Wesak Day which falls on the full moon day of May.  It marks the day which the Buddha was born, attained enlightenment, and passed away.  There are however some other important days depending on which Buddhist tradition.  Buddhism is about truth and inner peace. Traditional practices in the name of Buddhism are more related to the different cultural practices of the different nationalities which are incorporated into the practice of Buddhism.  For more info please refer to www.buddhanet.net.

"Traditions" are cultural practices perculiar to a certain society.  They are not Buddhism.  That's why we have Tibetan, Japanese, Korean, Chinese and other types of Buddhism

 
12. How has religion shaped your life?  
It helps me to understand the true nature of life and the universe.  It helps me to respect others' beliefs and to be more tolerant with those who do not agree with me.  It helps me to want to reduce negative traits such as greed and hatred.

3. What are the challenges, if any, to practicing this particular religion?
The challenge is to change oneself to be less greedy, less hateful, and to be mindful to improve one's spiritual life towards living in peace with oneself and with others.


Good luck.

justinchoo :-)