Expert: Justin Choo - 4/14/2010

Question
I've just started reading up on Buddhism and I'm wondering if it is right for me. I have read through the basic beliefs and I agree with most everything. However, I still believe in God or some sort of higher power. So I'm wondering how Buddhists believe we were created?

Answer
Hi Stephanie,

Welcome to the path of inner peace and happiness.

Most people have been conditioned since birth to expect that everything must have a reason, and everything must have a beginning.  On top of the list are two perceptions or beliefs : that there must be a Creator God, all powerful who controls us.  The other is that if we believe in a particular God, then we will go to heaven to enjoy ourselves. Most people would have been indoctrinated since birth, with these concepts, together with threats of hellfire if they dare question the validity of these beliefs.  So when people like you, begin to search for new knowledge, they would be experiencing "doctrinal shock", unable to reconcile their beliefs with the newly found knowledge.  There is this powerful desire to hold on to ingrained concepts because the mind is so used to the "accepted" frame of thoughts, and the psychological fear of rejecting them.  A sudden challenge to life-long beliefs is what I called "doctrinal shock."

As you are new to Buddhism, may I suggest that you take your time to study more, and with an "open mind."  Whatever concepts that are contrary to your set belief, just let them be for the time being.  After you have a fair knowledge of Buddhism, your contradictions will slowly be resolved.  After that you may return to ask me again on specific concepts.

The best place is to start with the Buddhist sites in the internet. Please take your time to surf through the sites below, which are mainly Theravada. The "mother" of all Buddhist sites is www.buddhanet.net which gives you all the worldwide links on different traditions and the locations.

The journey will be a long but rewarding one. As we travel along the path, we learn to experience happiness and inner peace through the three processes of learning, practising, and experiencing the positive results. With this experiencing, it further encourages us to put more effort to continue learning and practising. The destination may be unreachable but the journey itself is a lesson in life. Have a pleasant journey, and if you need more info please come back.


I would suggest you look into these sites as well:

http://www.goodquestiongoodanswer.net/
http://sdhammika.blogspot.com/
http://www.buddhismatoz.com/


http://www.bswa.org
This site is in Western Australia where Ajahn Brahmawamso resides. He is an English monk and is a very popular speaker. You can listen to his talk through this site.

http://www.amaravati.org/abmnew/index.php/about_us/getting_here/
Ajahn Sumedho is the most senior Western monk, trained under the Thai forest monk tradition. He is an American and is resident in England.

Ajahn Sumedho and Ajahn Brahmawamso are from the same teacher, the late Ajahn Chah of Thailand.


Take care.

Justin Choo