Expert: Justin Choo - 5/11/2009

Question
QUESTION: for clarification, because i read buddhism primarily on dhammanda book and narada buddha and his teachings? my clarification am i correct that the buddha rejected a concept of supreme being akin to christianity? you dont believe in a God that has total control on the universe? in buddhism no such thing as almighty God?


next sir, talking of arahantship is final right? stage 2 enligtenment after that is not yet nirvana? gotta get it in stage 4?

ok, sori to ask, the pure abodes does it need to rebirth there in order to get there or meditation would work? i read in wikipedia that these realms are also accessible through meditation and the consciousness will suspend something for a short time?

sori for irritating you have a little patience thanks!

ANSWER: Hi Jaya,

<<sori for irritating you have a little patience thanks!>>
Yes, I am ashamed to admit that I was a bit irritated.  I'm sorry.

Please feel free to ask as many questions as you like, and I shall be happy to answer them.  But you should do your part to read my comments carefully, otherwise you will keep on asking the same questions which I have already answered.

Ven. Dhammananda was my revered teacher who taught me most of the Buddha's teachings.   


<<in buddhism no such thing as almighty God?>>
You are right.

<<, the pure abodes does it need to rebirth there in order to get there or meditation would work?>>
The pure abodes are very "high" levels of planes of existence.  One would need a very high degree of mental purification to be reborn there.
I suggest you read up on the 31 planes of existence.

Take care.

Justin Choo

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

QUESTION: ven dhammananda's book is one classic intro to buddhist teaching very easy to follow and straight forward

what is the concept of compassion in buddhism? does the heart involve in compassion or just as the mind dictates that generating positive feeling to all beings?

is it also compassion to teach people that nothing is permanent?

what is love in buddhism is it the mind or the heart is the primary thing, in other religions it is the heart? i do nt know how is ti defined in buddhism?


last, so arahant before they parinirvana, they lived in pure abodes? no arahant attained nirvana in human world?

Answer
Hi Jaya,

<<what is the concept of compassion in buddhism? does the heart involve in compassion or just as the mind dictates that generating positive feeling to all beings?>>
"Compassion is clearly explained in the dictionary from :
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/compassion

com⋅pas⋅sion   /kəmˈpæʃən/  Show Spelled Pronunciation [kuhm-pash-uhn]  Show IPA
–noun 1. a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.

<<is it also compassion to teach people that nothing is permanent?>>
Refer above

<<what is love in buddhism is it the mind or the heart is the primary thing, in other religions it is the heart? i do nt know how is ti defined in buddhism?>>
Why bother to know whether it's in the heart or mind?  The first verse of the Dhammapada affirms that all thoughts come from the mind.  A doctor will tell you that the heart is for pumping blood!


<<last, so arahant before they parinirvana, they lived in pure abodes? no arahant attained nirvana in human world?>>
Please read my previous answer carefully.  It's been answered.

Take care.

Justin Choo