Expert: Anandapanyo Bhikkhu - 10/5/2009

Question
Hello,

I've been studying Buddhism for awhile now and I have a few questions.  Is Buddhism a religion or a philosophy?  I've wondered this for a long time.  Also, how can a materialistic American such as myself lead a more Buddhist life?  Lastly, what makes Buddhism different from other eastern religions.  I know Hinduism has a lot of concepts that are the same in Buddhism, for example reincarnation.


Oh, and before I forget, I have a meditation question.  When ever I try to meditate I get all itchy and I keep having to swallow.  What can I do to stop this?

Thanks,
John

Answer
Dear John,

That you for the opportunity to answer your question.

"Is Buddhism a religion or a philosophy"

The Buddha said that what he teaches, his Dhamma (his teachings), are not his own. They were not created by him and were not made up by him. Instead, he merely found the truth that has existed, is existing and will always exist in our world. All he really did was teach us what was out there. We respect and appreciate him since without him, we would still be wandering in the proverbial "darkness."

If you were walking in a dark room for ages and ages and lives and lives and entire existences, and someone turned on the light for you, would you respect, venerate and appreciate them? That is what we feel toward the Buddha.

Buddhism is a religion based on the Buddha's teachings. The Buddha however, never created a religion, the religion aspect was created by his followers.

Buddhism is also partly a philosophy since it deals with the love of knowledge. However, it is not just knowledge, but it goes further in that it presents truth, since knowledge could be right or wrong but Truth is always right.

"Also, how can a materialistic American such as myself lead a more Buddhist life?"

Many people think that being materialistic, or emotional, or greedy prevent you from being a Buddhist. However, these are the qualities that help you become a Buddhist. Allow me to clarify. These characteristics exist so that we can see the suffering inherent in our lives. When we are materialistic, we suffer in trying to find materials, hold on to materials, prevent them from leaving us (through decay, breaking, or being stolen), and then disposing of them. If we are emotional, we see the suffering in the disappointment, build up and release of our emotions. If we are greedy, we can see the suffering in our actions, desires, and how we are perceived by others. All these things are good in that they give us homework to do.

Many people think that to be a Buddhist, they must give up everything and live in a forest or a monastery. However, this is not accurate. If you have wrong points of view, no matter where you go, you will encounter trouble.

For example, say you are a greedy person. In life, you lust and greed after materials. You decide to leave and join a monastery. At the monastery you only own 2 outfits and a bowl. However, when you see other monks get gifts of coffee or towels or sandals that you don't have, you immediately greed or lust after those items. So, suffice to say, it doesn't matter WHERE you are, what matters are your points of views.

Points of views are what drive us to do what we do. Points of view lead to thoughts which lead to actions and speech. So, when we are materialistic in actions and thought, we can use that to practice Buddhism. When you lust or greed after something, ask yourself questions such as:
1. What is the suffering involved with this object
    a. Suffering in wanting the object and not getting it
    b. Suffering in getting it and not wanting it to break or deteriorate
    c. Suffering in protecting it and showing it off
    d. Suffering in housing it, and cleaning it
    e. Suffering is it breaking and deteriorating
    f. Suffering in losing it or having to dispose of it after it no longer has use
2. What is the impermanence involved in this object and our desire.
    a. As of this moment we want it, is there any situation where we wouldn't want it?
    b. Once we get it, will it ALWAYS be exactly what we expect it to?
    c. What are we ASSUMING about it? (it will do this or that? It will help me, it will bring
       me fame and renown? It will bring me happiness?
    d. Once I get it, will it have to deteriorate and be disposed?

This is the process of meditating on materialism. So, in short, materialism is both good and bad. If you are materialistic and do not think or meditate on it, it is bad for you. However, if you are materialistic and use it as the basis of your practice, then you have an temporarily (hopefully) unending supply of homework problems. If you give me an example, I can give you specific questions to contemplate.

True Buddhism is not place specific, or time specific, outfit or belonging specific. True Buddhism is about realigning your wrong views with right views. That can occur anywhere, at anytime and regardless of what you own, wear or drive. It just depends on when you start thinking.

" Lastly, what makes Buddhism different from other eastern religions."
Since Buddhism teaches truths that exist in the world, it seems that the basic "be good and do good" aspect of Buddhism is very similar to most religions, whether Eastern or Western. However, Buddhism has one thing that no other religion has:

The ability to go beyond heaven and rebirth to Nirvana - which is the cessation of suffering and being.

This is the one main difference between Buddhism and all other religions. However, if we are just talking about being good and going to heaven, then most religions profess mostly the same truths. They just have different reasons for being good....for God, for Krishna, for the good of the world, or for yourself. Whatever it takes. Some religions profess that heaven is the ultimate goal and there is no more birth, some religions profess that heaven is merely a stop in the process and once you are done there you must come back. To me, it is a gamble, if you gamble on heaven being the final stop and it is, then you stay in heaven, good for you. However, if you run the risk of heaven being the final stop and it is not, then you risk a unfavorable rebirth. So, for myself, I would rather shoot for nirvana and if it doesn't exist, then I will still end up in heaven.

If you are tired of suffering and going to heaven, then going to hell, then being reborn, then going to hell, then going to heaven, then being reborn, then going to heaven.....then the Buddha taught a way to get out of this seeming never-ending cycle.

"Oh, and before I forget, I have a meditation question.  When ever I try to meditate I get all itchy and I keep having to swallow.  What can I do to stop this?"

A commonly held misconception about Buddhism is that you must sit/walk and meditate. Meditating means to contemplate upon an issue. So, it does not matter if you sit or walk. If sitting makes you itchy and forces you to keep swallowing, why not change your position? Try walking, try sitting in a chair, try laying on a couch. Try anything. Meditating is just thinking, so, whatever position it takes to get you to think and think continuously, I would recommend doing that. However, be fair to yourself, sitting on the couch with a beer and watching the Knicks play the Lakers is not really conducive to thinking.

I hope I have sufficiently answered your questions. If you have further question feel free to ask me. If you would like to check out my blog, go to www.kpyusa.org. If you want to read some books written by my teacher, Acariya Thoon Khippapanyo, you can find them on amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com (just search under his name).

Thanks again and I hope you advance in your practice,

Sincerely,
Phra Anandapanyo