Expert: Justin Choo - 5/21/2009

Question
Hello my name is Ted E.Bear and i am doing a year 12 report on the selected religion of Buddhism. Buddhism has been of a great interest to me and i would like to have further understandings in the religion its self. Below i have prepared a couple of questions that i will need in order to complete my assignment task.

How do Buddhist pray?
Where do Buddhist pray?
Does Buddhism have a sacred text?
What do Buddhist believe in? e.g. God, Jesus.
When do Buddhist pray?
Does Buddhism have any sacred rituals? e.g not eating meat on good Friday.
also as i was reading some other answers on this web site about Buddhism i came across a word that i could not find information about, 'Pranidharnas' is the word. if you don't know what it is don't worry about it.
well sorry for the amount of questions if it causes you any inconveniences.
thank you for reading and i hope you right back soon.

Answer
Hi Ted,

Thank you for asking me.  

How do Buddhist pray?
Most people assume that in religion one must pray.  Although it's true in most religion, Buddhism is different.  Praying is usually asking/pleading/petitioning for something from a higher being.  Buddhists don't do that.  However they do perform some rites and rituals which include chanting of the Buddha's teachings.  Usually after chanting, they would "request" the higher beings (in your language, good spirits) to protect them.     

Where do Buddhist pray?  
Refer above.

Does Buddhism have a sacred text?
Buddhism has a compilation of the Buddha's teachings called the Tipitaka".

What do Buddhist believe in? e.g. God, Jesus.
Buddhists don't believe in anything!!  Buddhists live life in accordance with the teachings of the Buddha.  In the simplest form, one's mission is to reduce greed, hatred and delusion; so that one can live in peace and contentment.  Mere "belief" is blind faith.

When do Buddhist pray?
Refer above.

Does Buddhism have any sacred rituals? e.g not eating meat on good Friday.
also as i was reading some other answers on this web site about Buddhism i came across a word that i could not find information about, 'Pranidharnas' is the word. if you don't know what it is don't worry about it.
There is nothing sacred in Buddhism.  We do respect our teacher the Buddha, and pay homage to its images.  
Never heard of that word, sorry.


well sorry for the amount of questions if it causes you any inconveniences.
No problem, you're welcome to ask as many questions as you like anytime.
However, I would suggest you check on these 2 sites for more information on Buddhism:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism
http://www.buddhanet.net/

Take care, Ted.

Justin Choo