Expert: Alex Wilding - 2/27/2009

Question
Hello,
    Hi, my name is John, and we've been studying Buddhism in a class I'm taking. I have a few quick questions that I wondered if you had the answer to.

One of Buddhism’s main focuses is giving up worldly attachments and desires. In today’s highly materialistic world, can Buddhism still be practiced in full?

How do Buddhists feel about other religions and philosophies? Is conversion a large part of the Buddhist doctrine, and do they believe that those following other religions can still achieve Nirvana?

What exactly is Nirvana? Is it something achieved during one’s lifetime, or after death? Is it a heaven, per se, or more a state of oneness with the world? How does one know if they've achieved it?

Are attachments to other people (family, friends, etc.) considered attachments?

Thank You so much for your help!


Answer
Hi John,
> One of Buddhism’s main focuses is giving up worldly
> attachments and desires. In today’s highly materialistic
> world, can Buddhism still be practiced in full?
We have more material things nowadays, but I'm not sure that we are more materialistic - I don't think humans have changed as much as technology has.

> How do Buddhists feel about other religions and
> philosophies? Is conversion a large part of the
> Buddhist doctrine, and do they believe that those
> following other religions can still achieve Nirvana?
Each to their own. Of course, Buddhists feel that Buddhism is the best way, but the path is long. Conversions happen as a result of personal example and reason, but actually going out trying to convert is thought of as shallow and silly.

> What exactly is Nirvana?
The extinction of ignorance, hatred, greed and so on.

> Is it something achieved during one’s lifetime,
> or after death?
So it is taught.

> Is it a heaven, per se,
Certainly not.
> or more a state of oneness with the world?
Not really. It is a state of perfect clarity and freedom, untainted by ignorance, hatred, greed and so on.

> How does one know if they've achieved it?
If you have achieved it, you don't really worry about whether you have achieved it or not.

> Are attachments to other people (family, friends, etc.)
> considered attachments?
That depends on the state of mind of the "attached" person rather than on the object to which they are (or are not) attached.

I hope that helps a bit.