Expert: Justin Choo - 1/9/2008

Question
ok i have a couple

1) Aare there weekly, bi-weekly, or annual gatherings
2)In there a special location in which follows meet?
3)What milestones are celebrated and how?
4)Are there any festivals? What do you celebrate and how?
5)Aare there any personal restrictions to this religion. ( ex. gender, age, education?)
6)Wwhat symbols or images are associated with your religion?

Aand this is my own personal, out of school work question.

What does it mean to reach enlightenment. In Buddhism, there always talking about it, but i've never had it been explained?

Thank you =)

Answer
Hi Chloe,

Thank you for asking me.

I shall give you very brief answers as you are very new to Buddhism.  
1. Meetings can be held at any time.
2. Any location, nothing special.
3. Wesak Day (Buddha Day) (Search Wikipedia:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vesak)
4. Refer (3.) Different Buddhist Traditions observe certain festivals related to their culture as well.
5. No restriction.
6. Buddha images, Swastika(not the Nazi swastika), Lotus, Eight-spoke wheel, Both hands in "preaching" gesture, and many others.

"Enlightenment" in Buddhist term is 'Nibbana" or "Nirvana" which literally means "No craving". Refer Wikipedia @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana

I would recommend that you surf through the sites below which will provide helpful information.  Should you require further information, please come back.

Smile from justinchoo :-)

http://www.buddhanet.net (The “mother” of all Buddhist web sites)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/buddhism..
http://www.bswa.org
This site is in Western Australia where Ajahn Brahmawamso resides. He is an English monk and is a very popular speaker. You can listen to his talk through this site.

http://www.lioncity.net/buddhism/
E-Sangha forum.
This is a very active and highly authoritative forum.

http://www.dhammasukha.org
This is also a very active forum, mainly on meditation.

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv
This is a Buddhist news channel, giving latest news in the Buddhist world.

http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/whatbe..
"What Buddhist Believe" by Ven. K Sri Dhammananda. This book explains the Buddhist perspective on life's general questions.
Venerable K. Sri Dhammananda was my revered teacher. His writings have benefitted countless people throughout the world. He had recently passed away (18 Mar 1919 -- 31 Aug 2006)

http://youtube.com/user/dhammatube
Short Buddhist talks