Expert: Justin Choo - 3/7/2010

Question
I have a final project due on Buddhism. Could you please help me with these ten questions?
1. If there is no belief in God within the Buddhist religion, what are your views on the creation of life?
2. How has Western society impacted Buddhism and what is it like to live in the United States as a Buddhist?
3. What are the important holidays and traditions of this religion?
4. How has religion shaped your life?
5. Since Buddhist principles adhere to respect to animals, what is your views on using animal organs for transplants in humans?
6. What are the challenges, if any to practicing this particular religion?
7. How does an individual attain enlightenment through meditation and how long does it usually take one to reach the stage of Nirvana?
8. What are the hardest monastic rules to keep when you are living in Western culture?
9. Can you explain Buddhist symbols and what they represent?
10. I realize that Buddhism faith does not promote violence, what is the best way to resolve the war in Iraq and Afghanistan?

Answer
Hi Lisa,

1. If there is no belief in God within the Buddhist religion, what are your views on the creation of life?
My view is not important.  Why must it be a God to create life?  This is a never ending question if a perswon is a logical person.  If God created life, then who created God?  Why stop at God?


2. How has Western society impacted Buddhism and what is it like to live in the United States as a Buddhist?
I am not living in the United States. Why must it be "Western society impacted Buddhism?"  Why can't it be  "Buddhism impacted the Western society?"  

3. What are the important holidays and traditions of this religion?
The most important holiday is Wesak Day which falls on the full moon day of May.  It marks the day which the Buddha was born, attained enlightenment, and passing away.  There are however some other important days depending on which Buddhist tradition.  Buddhism is about truth and inner peace. Traditional practices in the name of Buddhism are more related to the different cultural practices of the different nationalities which are incorporated into the practice of Buddhism.  For more info please refer to www.buddhanet.net. @
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/festivals.htm

Traditions" are cultural practices perculiar to a certain society.  They are not Buddhism.  That's why we have Tibetan, Japanese, Korean, Chinese and other types of Buddhism

4. How has religion shaped your life?
It helps me to understand the true nature of life and the universe.  It helps me to respect others' beliefs and to be more tolerant with those who do not agree with me.  It helps me to want to reduce negative traits such as greed and hatred.


5. Since Buddhist principles adhere to respect to animals, what is your views on using animal organs for transplants in humans?
Buddhism emphasizes on compassion and the value of life.  Every living being is entitled to live.  We try not to destroy life unneccessarily.  Personally, I do not object to using animal organs for transplant in humans, if it is ever possible.


6. What are the challenges, if any to practicing this particular religion?
To reduce greed and hatred.

7. How does an individual attain enlightenment through meditation and how long does it usually take one to reach the stage of Nirvana?
Nirvana is a very BIG word.  It has so many interpretations, that it has become a controversy.  Nirvana or Nibbana simply means no more craving for anything.  Complete eradication of greed, hatred and delusion.  How many can reach this state of mind?


8. What are the hardest monastic rules to keep when you are living in Western culture?
You have to ask a monk who lives there.  My opinion is that if he is a real monk, there is no problem.

9. Can you explain Buddhist symbols and what they represent?
There are so many  of them.  I shall just briefly give three.  The Buddha images, the swastika, and the lotus.  Buddha images are not "idols" as Christians would like to belittle the Buddhists.  Buddha images are just symbols to remind us of the qualities of the Buddha, compassion and equanimity.  The swastika is an ancient religious symbol.  The Buddhist swastika is always with the "arms" bending to the left. See here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sauwastika
The lotus is a flower that rises above muddy water.  It symbolizes that we should be like the lotus.


10. I realize that Buddhism faith does not promote violence, what is the best way to resolve the war in Iraq and Afghanistan?
Leave them alone.  Don't be a Big Brother.

Take care.
Justin Choo