Buddhists/Buddhism

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Expert: - 10/17/2008


Question
QUESTION: 1. How long does it takes to complete the study of
Buddhism?

2. If one earn a pHD in Buddhism, then one completes the study of Buddhism.

3.  Buddhism teachings lies in the Tripitaka?

4. There are four main religions: Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam.  Should I study all four religions?  Does all the religion leads to the same goal?

ANSWER: Hi Henry,

1. How long does it takes to complete the study of
Buddhism?
To study is easy; to understand, realize and to practise is difficult.
As fast as you can read.

2. If one earn a pHD in Buddhism, then one completes the study of Buddhism.
Phd is just an academic pursuit.  Buddhism is about life and death.

3.  Buddhism teachings lies in the Tripitaka?
Buddhism teaches truth.

4. There are four main religions: Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam.  Should I study all four religions?  Does all the religion leads to the same goal?
It's your life.  You are free to decide. Not all religions lead to the same goal.

Take care.

Justin Choo

[I like to invite you to visit my blog:]
http://lifeislikethat999.blogspot.com/

[And this blog by Rev. Dhammika:]
http://sdhammika.blogspot.com/




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: 1. How is academic religion differ from real Buddhism?

2. Buddhism ultimate goal to achieve freedom from suffering.
How do I go about on studying and achieving this ultimate goal?

Answer
Henry,

You have not given any information on yourself which makes it difficult to know whether my answers are appropriately worded for your understanding.

"Academic" means study for knowledge only.

Please go through some Buddhist sites and gather more information on the religion.  Then you may be clearer after that.  

May I recommend a few sites below:

Take care.

Justin Choo

http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/whatbelieve.pdf

http://www.buddhanet.net (The “mother” of all Buddhist web sites)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/buddhism...
http://www.buddhism.about.com
http://www.buddhistchannel.tv
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/
This is a very active and highly authoritative forum.

Buddhists

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Justin Choo

Expertise

When in doubt seek it out. All your questions will be answered, and you may not have to agree with the answers. Such is the beauty of Buddhism. You are free to decide. I follow the Theravada tradition, and have been studying Buddhism for more than 40 years. Please view my profile for more details. I have answered more than 1500 questions since joining this category. You may like to give me the honor to answer your question.

Experience

I was brought up in the 50's as a Buddhist. For the past 40 years I have read numerous books on Buddhism and listened to numerous talks on Buddhism by well-respected and learned monks and lay teachers. I conduct Buddhist classes for parents of Sunday School children in a Theravada Buddhist Temple. My teacher was the late Chief Reverend, The Ven. K Sri Dhammananda of The Brickfields Buddhist Mahavihara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. You can view the relevent website in memory of my revered late teacher @ http://www.ksridhammananda.com

Organizations
I am a life member of the Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia.

Publications
YOU ARE INVITED TO VISIT MY BLOG @ http://lifeislikethat999.blogspot.com/ Published a book called "The Rainbow And The Treasure". It is a compilation of extracts from various sources to introduce Buddhism to beginners. (Currently out of print)

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Commerce And Administration, Victoria University Of Wellington, NZ.(1974)

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