Expert: Alex Wilding - 1/4/2009

Question
I am Doing a project for a class and i need to interview a Buddhist. PLease help me!



1.   What are the important holidays and traditions of this religion?

2.   How has religion shaped your life?  

3.   What are the challenges, if any, to practicing this particular religion?

4.   How long have you been practicing this religion?

5.   How were you introduced to Buddhism?

6.   Are there any dietary rules associated with your religion?

7.   Can you tell me a little about a traditional Buddhist marriage ceremony?

8.   Is there a comparable practice to christening of children?  A way to welcome children/newborns into the Buddhist religion/world?

9.   What is the Buddhist belief on Death and the afterlife?

10.   What steps would someone have to take to become Buddhist?

11.   Is there a text that is read and considered holy?  (equivalent of the bible)

12.   Who are the main figures in this religion, other than Buddha.

13.   Can you tell me a little about the rituals of Buddhists?

14.   What are some of the main central beliefs of Buddhists?  

15. what is it like to be a follower of your faith in America?


Answer
Dear Micah,
I'm afraid I haven't got the time at the moment to answer all your questions. Some of them would require several pages to answer properly, so I can only give very brief answers.
1.   What are the important holidays and traditions of this religion?
There are very, very many.

2.   How has religion shaped your life?  
Almost all ways.

3.   What are the challenges, if any, to practicing this particular religion?
Being kind and unselfish.

4.   How long have you been practicing this religion?
Over 35 years

5.   How were you introduced to Buddhism?
Through books and through meeting qualified Buddhist teachers.

6.   Are there any dietary rules associated with your religion?
No. Vegetarianism is encouraged, but it is not strict.

7.   Can you tell me a little about a traditional Buddhist marriage ceremony?
There isn't one. Marriage is a social agreement.

8.   Is there a comparable practice to christening of children?  A way to welcome children/newborns into the Buddhist religion/world?
No. Buddhist parents should love their children and teach them what they can about kindness and wisdom, but there is no special ceremony. You could always get a blessing of some sort, of course.

9.   What is the Buddhist belief on Death and the afterlife?
That we reap what we sow.

10.   What steps would someone have to take to become Buddhist?
The ceremony is called "taking refuge". You need to learn about what is involved, then take a few simple vows.


11.   Is there a text that is read and considered holy?  (equivalent of the bible)
There are many texts that are considered holy, but no one, single, definitive text like the bible.

12.   Who are the main figures in this religion, other than Buddha.
Buddhism has many branches, each with important figures. Try Milarepa, Naropa, Guru Rinpoche for a start.

13.   Can you tell me a little about the rituals of Buddhists?
In Tibetan Buddhism there are vast numbers, and some are quite complex.

14.   What are some of the main central beliefs of Buddhists?  
Everything depends on your motivation - if you act kindly, things will go well. If you are mean and hurtful, things will go badly. If you are selfish, you will be stuck. If you are selfless, you will become free.

15. what is it like to be a follower of your faith in America?
I don't live in America.

You may do better looking up things like Wikipedia for a start, but I hope this helps a bit.