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About 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 a thousand questions since joining this category. You are welcome to try me.

Experience
I was brought up in the 50's as a Buddhist. For the past 30 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)

You are here: Experts > Homework Help > Buddhism > Buddhists > Character

Buddhists - Character

Expert: Justin Choo - 10/16/2009

Question
I have been an atheist or does not subscribe to ritual like a
non-religious person but strongly believe in proper behaviour and participated in charity. Does being a good person is enough to gain whatever that buddhist aim to achieve. During younger days, out of curiosity has experienced numerous things denounced by religion but for the last 20 years I lead a righteous life and taken care of the parent and family well. It is enough or more need to be done .

Answer
Hi SP Foo,

Thank you for asking me.

To many religions, your good behaviour and noble lifestyle is still not good enough for them. As you know, they only want you to follow their beliefs, otherwise you will go to hell!

In Buddhism it is very different. It is good enough to be noble and to be harmless. It is the type of life you live that is important. Whether you are a Buddhist or not is immaterial.

In Buddhism, however, there is still a higher goal that the followers will strive to reach, perhaps not in this life, but in future life time. Existence in itself is not a very satisfactory experience. We face uncertainties, dangers, sickness, and definitely old age and ultimate death. The Buddha discovered a way to cut off this cycle of birth-aging-death syndrome. To achieve this, one has to train the mind to ultimate purity. This will take a long long time, and countless births. Once the mind is completely purified, the person would have completely eradicated greed and hatred with complete understanding of the true nature of existence. Without these negative and clingging roots, there will no longer be any rebirth. No longer subject to this cycle of "birth, aging and death". In Buddhist parlance, Nibbana....No more craving for rebirth.

Hope this helps.

Take care.

Justin Choo.

You are invited to visit my blog
and Rev. Dhammika's :

http://lifeislikethat999.blogspot.com/

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

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