Expert: Alex Wilding - 9/23/2009

Question
Hi Alex! i just have a couple questions regarding Buddhism for my class and you seemed the appropriate candidate to answer them.
1. What is the significance between Chinese and Tibetan Buddhism?

2. What are the Kagyu and Nyingma traditions?

3. Have you ever reached Nirvana? and if so, what's it like?

4. How is it possible to practice true Buddhism, to let go of all attachments in order to cease suffering, in a modern world, specifically a western civilization?

5. Have you ever been scrutinized for your faith, and, do you have to believe in reincarnation to truly be Buddhist?

if you could answer these for me it'd be a big help, thank you! =)

Answer
Dear Michael,
Most of your questions would require extensive discussion of at least essay length if not book length. But to give some quick pointers:
1. What is the significance between Chinese and Tibetan Buddhism?
Both are complex and varied. Tibetan Buddhism places more emphasis on the Vajrayana.

2. What are the Kagyu and Nyingma traditions?
Up till the 9th century Buddhism had been transmitted to Tibet and become quite strong. It was then to a large extent suppressed before being introduced a second time, which involved the preparation of a lot of new translations. The Kagyu is one of the schools following the new translations; most of the Kagyu traces it's lineage back through Marpa the Translator (11th century). The Nyingma trace their traditions back to the old translations. Until recently they were not organised into a "school" to the same extent as the Kagyu and others.

3. Have you ever reached Nirvana? and if so, what's it like?
It does not work like that! :-)

4. How is it possible to practice true Buddhism, to let go of all attachments in order to cease suffering, in a modern world, specifically a western civilization?
Western civilization is not much worse than eastern civilization, just different. Inner freedom does not mean that you cut yourself off from what's going on (though cutting yourself off for a while can sometimes help).

5. Have you ever been scrutinized for your faith, and, do you have to believe in reincarnation to truly be Buddhist?
I'm not sure what you mean by scrutinized? To be a Buddhist you have to "take refuge" in a) the Buddha rather than worldly things or supposedly powerful gods, b) the teachings, in particular trying to develop kindness and compassion instead of greed, hatred and stupidity and c) the community of realized practioners (hard to meet as they may be!) rather than friends who might lead you into acts of greed, hatred and stupidity.
Most Buddhists believe in rebirth in some way, and if you didn't I think a lot of Buddhism would not make sense. But that belief is not, as such, a "requirement" - just usual.

I hope that helps a bit!
All the best
AW