Expert: Justin Choo - 5/16/2008

Question
QUESTION: I have seen some of your postings on youtube or I think that is you. Is it? And I would also like to know where you are from. Are you also familiar with Indian spiritual writings like the Upanishads? I am looking for a teacher but I need a teacher who is able to cross faith lines. Thank you.

ANSWER: Hi Jenny,

There are lots of people in youtube.  I have yet to learn youtube.  Bro. Oh Teik Bin @ http://www.dhammatelukintan.blogspot.com/  is quite active in it.

I am from here:
Black & White
http://blackandwhite999.blogspot.com/


Life Is Like That
http://lifeislikethat999.blogspot.com/


<<Are you also familiar with Indian spiritual writings like the Upanishads?>>

No, I am not.

Regards, Justinchoo :-)

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

QUESTION: Dear Mr. Justinchoo - I have been reading about the spread of Buddism at the time of Jesus Christ and there is a theory that he could have come in contact with Buddist teachings in Egypt. Have you heard anthing about this? I have also read that Buddism was actually inspired by the Vedantic teachings of Hindu philosophers. I am as are most people on a quest for clarification.I know the answer is in me and I have to find it for myself but I am frail and I need help. ( the great sufi poet Rumi said, "God I have been knocking on your door to let me in and when you finally opened it I realized I was inside)  My father was attracted to Buddism and now that he is gone I would like to know more about it. Can you suggest where I should start? Jenny

Answer
Hi Jenny,

I don't know where your location is, but you can read this book about Jesus and Buddha; the title is Two Masters, One Message by Roy C Amore.  He described about the possibilities of Jesus having gone to India and had contact with Buddhist teachings.  It is a small paperback and should be very cheap.

The Buddha did not introduce any esoteric teachings.  He taught very simple universal truths.  Even during the time of the Buddha, there already existed Brahmanism teachings which was the forerunner of present day Hinduism.

The best place to start is through the internet.  Take your time to surf through the following Buddhist web sites:

http://www.buddhanet.net (The “mother” of all Buddhist web sites)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/buddhism...

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


http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?...
Film about Chief : Ven. K Sri Dhammananda

http://www.ksridhammananda.com
Venerable K. Sri Dhammananda is my revered teacher.

http://www.justbegood.net/index.htm
http://www.geocities.com/wave_books/index.html
You can obtain excellent publications from them.

http://www.allexperts.com/ep/948-61982/Buddhists/justinchoo.htm
Ask more questions from the “Expert”.

http://www.dharmanet.org
http://www.buddhism.about.com
http://www.parami.org/buddhistanswers/in...
http://www.nibbana.com
http://www.triplegem.net
 

http://www.wildmind.org/
http://dharmaavenue.com/home.htm...
http://www.thebuddhistsociety.org...
http://www.budsas.org/index.htm...
http://www.fundamental-buddhism.com...
http://www.maithri.com/index.asp...
http://www.parami.org/buddhistanswers/...
http://www.abhayagiri.org/
Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery, the first monastery in the United States to be established by followers of Ajahn Chah, was founded in 1996 in the mountainous forests north of Ukiah, California.
http://www.watnongpahpong.org/indexe.php...

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.foresthermitage.org.uk/
http://www.amaravati.org/abmnew/index.php/about_us/getting_here/
Ajahn Sumedho is the most senior Western monk, trained under the Thai forest monk tradition. He is an American and is resident in England.

Ajahn Sumedho and Ajahn Brahmawamso are from the same teacher, the late Ajahn Chah of Thailand.


Have fun and be happy :-)