Expert: Justin Choo - 9/14/2008

Question
I am doing a school project and need as much information on Buddhism as I can obtain.

Where is Buddhism practiced?

What effect does Buddhism have on the world?

How many people practice Buddhism to this day?

Do Buddhists practice their religion on holidays and weekends too?

What are some interesting facts of Buddhism?

if you can answer this, then thanks so much.

Answer
Hi Kent,

"Where is Buddhism practiced?"
Strange question.  Buddhism is practised everywhere.


"What effect does Buddhism have on the world?"
The world will be what it is.  No one can really change the nature of this world.  Buddhism does have effect on those who sincerely practise it.


"How many people practice Buddhism to this day?"
I don't really know.  But let's just say, it is amongst the 3 most practised, namely Buddhism, Christianity and Islam.


"Do Buddhists practice their religion on holidays and weekends too?"
Buddhism is not like eating pizza!  Buddhism is about experiencing inner peace and contentment.  It pervades throughout one's life.


"What are some interesting facts of Buddhism?"
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.

To refer to a more traditional rendition of what Buddhism is please surf through this website:
http://www.budhhanet.net/e-learning/5minbud.htm



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/