Expert: Justin Choo - 1/11/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hello Mr. Choo,

I have a project that I am completing for a final paper. I am studying Buddhism and need to conduct a interview. I only have ten questions if you are willing to answer them for me. I live on a small island in Alaska and there is no place of worship for me to visit and conduct an interview regarding Buddhism. Please email me and let me know if you can help with this.

ANSWER: Hi Debra,

Sure, no problem.  You should have asked right away.

Justin Choo

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Mr. Choo,
Thank you very much for taking time to help with this project. I have some questions about this religion.  I have read several different things about Buddhism and some say this is not considered a religion according to different definitions. According to some definitions, it is considered a religion. What are your thoughts on this?
Can you describe the place of worship for Buddhism?
What is the history of your religion?
What type of God or Gods does this religion believe in?
Is there certain guidelines one has to follow to become a member of Buddhism?
What does one have to do to become a Buddhist monk?
What kind of positions do women hold in Buddhism?
What are the challenges, if any, to practicing this particular religion?
What type of rituals, if any, does this religion practice?
What are the important holidays and traditions of this religion?
How has Buddhism shaped your life?
Has your religion been influenced by modern society?
I was also wondering if you yourself are a Buddhist monk.

Again thank you very much for your time and knowledge.

Sincerely,
Debra Satterwhite

Answer
Hi Debra,

Actually I have answered some of your questions several times as others have asked the same questions before.

<<I have read several different things about Buddhism and some say this is not considered a religion according to different definitions. According to some definitions, it is considered a religion. What are your thoughts on this?>>
Buddhism deals with the art of living a peaceful and contented life, here and now.  It deals with the conduct of wholesome human life based on universal wholesome values.  It is therefore, "humanism".


<<Can you describe the place of worship for Buddhism?>>
Buddhism is not a homogenous religion where every Buddhist does the same thing.  It is a very liberal "religion" emphasizing on good universal values.  Therefore you will find very different places of worship amongst the different Buddhist nationalities.  Maybe one common identity would be the image of the Buddha; then again the images will be vastly different in appearance! So you need to search the internet for the various types of Buddhist temples.  

<<What is the history of your religion?>>
Go to this link :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Buddhism

<<What type of God or Gods does this religion believe in?>>
Buddhists do not subscribe to the existence of a powerful creator God.

<<Is there certain guidelines one has to follow to become a member of Buddhism?>>
Just follow the teachings of the Buddha.  Do good, avoid evil, and purify the mind.

<<What does one have to do to become a Buddhist monk?>>
Give up everything, and to observe strict rules of a Buddhist monk, like no killing.  

<<What kind of positions do women hold in Buddhism?>>
Women are treated equally with men.  But different cultures will have certain biases towards females. Nothing to do with Buddhism, but because of entrenched cultural practices.

<<What are the challenges, if any, to practicing this particular religion?>>
To be honest with yourself.  There is no one to force you to follow the Buddha's teachings.

<<What type of rituals, if any, does this religion practice?>>
Buddhism in its pristine form has very little rites and rituals.  It is the culture of the followers that created all sorts of rites and rituals, especially Tibetan Buddhism.  So it will take a full volume to describe the rites and rituals of the different Buddhist schools.  Generally, the common rites and rituals will be the chanting of the Buddha's discourses.  

<<What are the important holidays and traditions of this religion?>>
Wesak Day or sometimes called Buddha Day, on the first full moon day of May.  There are other important days observed by different Buddhist schools and different nationalities.

<<How has Buddhism shaped your life?>>
Trying very hard to reduce greed, hatred and delusion of existence.


<<Has your religion been influenced by modern society?>>
It is the followers who are being influenced, not the Buddha's teachings.

<<I was also wondering if you yourself are a Buddhist monk.>>
Take a look at my photo in my "profile".  Do I look like a monk?  If you are still wondering; then no, I am not a monk.  I will fail miserably as a Buddhist monk because I have a lot of greed, anger and delusion!  (LOL)

I hope you will take time to read the above Wikipedia link which will give you a better idea of Buddhism.  Another site is the "mother" of all Buddhist sites:
http://buddhanet.net/

Hope this helps.

Take care, and may you do well in your studies.

Justin Choo