Expert: Justin Choo - 2/26/2010

Question
Hello Justin and thank you for taking time to answer these few questions, it's for a virtual high school class on eastern religions and I really appreciate your help.

1. What sets Buddhism apart from other religions?
2. What makes Buddhism similar to other religions?
3. In your opinion what are your favorite aspects of the belief?
4. What is your favorite quote, story, or moral in Buddhism?

5. What does Buddhism mostly function around? (nature, love, family, peace, all of the above)
6. Do you think that the ancient scriptures of Buddhism can be easily related to or followed in everyday modern life?



Thank you!

Answer
Hi Mirella,

1. What sets Buddhism apart from other religions?
Buddhism does not subscribe to the belief in a Creator God.
The emphasis is on self-realization to reduce greed and hatred.

2. What makes Buddhism similar to other religions?
If the other religions advocate peace and goodwill to all living things, then this is the similiarity.  Otherwise, none.

3. In your opinion what are your favorite aspects of the belief?
Buddhists are encouraged to use their human intelligence and common sense to study the teachings of the Buddha.  If they found them to be not useful or correct, they are free to reject them.
There is no commandment or compulsion on the followers.


4. What is your favorite quote, story, or moral in Buddhism?
The simple Golden Rule: "Do not do to others that which you do not want done to you."


5. What does Buddhism mostly function around? (nature, love, family, peace, all of the above)
All of the above, especially peace within oneself.


6. Do you think that the ancient scriptures of Buddhism can be easily related to or followed in everyday modern life?
The scripts may be ancient, but the teachings are universal truths which transcend time and space.

Hope this helps you in your project.

Justin Choo.