Expert: Alex Wilding - 2/21/2008

Question
For my philosophy class, I'm supposed to interview an expert on Buddhism. I'd really apprieciate if you'd answer my questions. Thanks!

Buddhists seem to think that everything should be done with non feeling. Why is that? How does non action help anybody?

Praying to a Buddha figure is considered by some to be idolism. Do you feel like the Buddha is an idol, or has more of a symbolic meaning?

Certain foods are seen to be connected to how you are. How do you feel about this? Do you not eat certain foods because of it?


Answer
Dear Caitlyn,
You say: "Buddhists seem to think that everything should be done with non feeling."

I think that is not quite the case. Being *attached* to having some feelings and not having others is seen as a problem. But feelings happen. And compassion (if that's what you mean by a feeling) is taught to be very, very important.

"Why is that? How does non action help anybody?"
Non-action is, I think, spoken of in some kinds of Buddhism related to Zen, but it is not as simple as it might sound. It refers more to not being so involved in our actions that we get over-excited when the results please us and totally depressed when the results are not what we want. But I must say that "non-action" is not a very typical Buddhist idea.

Then you ask: "Praying to a Buddha figure is considered by some to be idolism. Do you feel like the Buddha is an idol, or has more of a symbolic meaning?"
Idolism (or idolatry) is an idea mentioned in the Bible, and it usually refers to the kind of thinking in which the image is thought to actually *be* the god! But in reality it does not seem likely that many people have actually practiced idolatry. No, a Buddha figure is first of all, as you say, symbolic. Some Buddhists feel that a statue that has been "consecrated" has a special power to focus blessings - I am one of those. But the idea that the image is more than a support for our practice, that it really is the Buddha, would be very strange to a Buddhist, even though we may show reverence to the image and even put offerings of flowers, lights and so on in front of it. Making offerings like that is, again, a support for our practice - it would be pointless without the mental work that goes with it.

As to food, there is nothing particularly Buddhist about special foods, with a few exceptions:
1) Buddhists are expected, like anyone, to look after themselves and each other, so healthy eating is of course a good thing (not that there is anything specially Buddhist about that!)
2) We are encouraged to do as little harm to others as we can. For that reason, many Buddhists choose to be vegetarian or at least to eat very little meat.
3) Under special circumstances, like going into a close, solitary retreat, some practitioners avoid food that is supposed to be exciting, like spicy food or lots of garlic. But that is a very special case.

I hope these answers help a bit!