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Buddhists/A Buddhist Neophyte

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Expert: - 1/15/2009


Question
Do Buddhists believe in a higher being? A Creator?
I intend to visit a Buddhist temple within the next few days, this will be my first visit. Is there anything I should know? Do you have any advice as to how I can get the most from this experience?

Answer
Hi Oresa,

Thank you for asking me; and welcome to the path of contentment and inner peace.

Buddhists believe the existence of beings in different dimensions.  With the vastness of the universe, the possibility of beings in other star systems out there in outer space is very great.

Buddhists do not believe in "A Creator".  There is no beginning and no end.  Just 2 simple logical questions: If there is a beginning, then what was it before that? If there is an end, then what would it be after that?

There are different Buddhist traditions being practised.  So the type of temple will depend on which tradition.  The rites and rituals will also be different.  Since this is going to be your first visit, just go with an open mind and observe.  The first thing you may wish to find out is what type of temple it is.  Then you can search in the internet for more information.

These two sites will help you:

http://www.buddhanet.net/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schools_of_buddhism


Hope this helps.

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

[And these sites by Rev. Dhammika:]
http://sdhammika.blogspot.com/
http://www.buddhismatoz.com/  

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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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