Expert: Justin Choo - 10/5/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello. I am entirely new to the religion of Buddhism and would like to know more about Buddhist worship.  I am used to the practice of Western religions which is based on group activities, attending church and public worship.  So my question is do Buddhists attend weekly meetings with other Buddhists similar to Western religions, or is following Buddhism strictly limited to the individual?

ANSWER: Hi Chris,

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

As with any form of social or religious activities, there will be some form of get-together and social interactions.  There are Buddhist temples as places of worship, as well as centers for learning Buddhism.  Monks recide in temples and provide devotees opportunities to partake in Buddhist rites and rituals, as well as learning Buddhism from them.  

I recommend that you start by referring to this web site "http://www.buddhanet.net/" which I consider the "mother" of all Buddhist sites.  You can even locate temples near you. Another "problem" you may have is the choice of different Buddhist traditions.  Fortunately, the fundamental teachings are the same, except for the rites and rituals and other different minor interpretations.

Although you can easilly practise Buddhism on an individual basis, it is good that you expose yourself to the group activities.

You are also welcome to view the sites below:

http://lifeislikethat999.blogspot.com/
http://sdhammika.blogspot.com/
http://www.buddhismatoz.com/

Justin Choo

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

QUESTION: Justin,

Thank you very much for your response!  I really found that website you provided useful.  It gives a great directory and lets me see Buddhist centers in my own area.  Thank you!

I do have one more question about a specific aspect of Buddhism.  How does Buddhism treat the belief in Gods?  Is it something that varies depending on the branch of Buddhism being practiced?  Is believing in a God a definite part of Buddhism or is it flexible in this regard?  I just would like to learn more about that aspect of the religion, thanks in advance.  

Answer
Hi Chris,

Before giving you my answers, let me share with you the dilemma faced by a Western (Caucasian) mind.

For someone new to Buddhism, it is like a first-time traveller discovering new and strange places, some totally alien and opposed to one's views and experiences.  Buddhist doctrines will be totally alien to a stereotyped Caucasian who has been brought up in a Christian environment.  This is because Buddhist concepts are very different from Christian doctrines.  It will take some time for him to think "outside the box" and experience a paradigm shift in order to appreciate and understand what the Buddha taught.

A stereotype Western mindset in terms of religion is that there must be a creator god and the devil; a hell and a heaven; a beginning and an end or eternity, punishment and reward by god.  Since birth, everything is centred on the fear of this all-powerful and all-knowing god.  This is the greatest hindrance to a Western mind to understand the teachings of the Buddha.  It is a "religious shock" to learn that Buddhism is totally different from Christianity.  So long as the Western mindset is not changed, this person will have difficulty learning Buddhism.  The only way is to leave aside all the indoctrinated ideas and set oneself to learn Buddhism with an "open mind".

Now to answer your questions.  Buddhists do not subscribe to the idea of one powerful God.  If ever and when a Buddhist refers to "gods" he is referring to beings existing in the higher realms of existence.  These beings are nothing special except they have "extra abilities" to influence or help humans.  We call these beings "devas" or for lack of a better term in English, "good angels".

Hope this helps.

Justin Choo