Expert: Justin Choo - 1/21/2011

Question
I am currently studying world religions and have the following questions that I am having difficulty understanding.

#1 I am having difficulty understanding the cosmogony or creation theory of Buddhism. What I understand thus far is that time is cyclical and that everything is constantly being created. Therefore it is irrelevent when or how the universe was created as everything is always being created? Can you please briefly explain the creation of the universe according to Buddhism?

#2 Is there a relationship between creation and samsara-karma? If there is what are your personal feelings/beliefs about this relationship?

#3 What role does prayer play in the practice of Buddhism? How does prayer relate to mediation (if it does at all)? How important of a role does prayer/meditation play in a Buddhists life?

#4 Can you please briefly explain the eschatology or end of humanity according to Buddhism? From my understanding there is no final end to humanity as everything is cyclical. Is this accurate?

#5 What are your personal beliefs about creation, prayer and the end of humanity? Do you have any deviation from the core beliefs and how so?

I thank you greatly for your time and consideration in answering my questions and helping me improve my understanding.

Answer
Hi Bryan,

#1 I am having difficulty understanding the cosmogony or creation theory of Buddhism. What I understand thus far is that time is cyclical and that everything is constantly being created. Therefore it is irrelevent when or how the universe was created as everything is always being created? Can you please briefly explain the creation of the universe according to Buddhism?

The scientific explanation of the creation and destruction of stars is similar to that as explained in Buddhism. As such you can just refer to any book on astronomy about births and deaths of stars.  On a wider scale, a whole galaxy of stars is undergoing the same process, the cycle of formation, evolution, degeneration and ultimate destruction; and will be followed by another cycle.  The long time span is beyond our human imagination.


#2 Is there a relationship between creation and samsara-karma? If there is what are your personal feelings/beliefs about this relationship?

There is no real creation as explained in #1.


#3 What role does prayer play in the practice of Buddhism? How does prayer relate to mediation (if it does at all)? How important of a role does prayer/meditation play in a Buddhists life?

There are two views regarding prayers.  One is purely psychological.  The other is the belief that some kind devas or dieties, may answer one's prayer.  Buddhist "prayer" should not be construed as similar to Christian prayer.  Buddhist prayer is more on aspiration.  Another aspect of Buddhist prayer is in the form of chanting of the Buddha's discourses.  Both prayer (chanting) and meditation are important.

#4 Can you please briefly explain the eschatology or end of humanity according to Buddhism? From my understanding there is no final end to humanity as everything is cyclical. Is this accurate?

You are right.  The "end" leads to the "beginning" of another cycle.



#5 What are your personal beliefs about creation, prayer and the end of humanity? Do you have any deviation from the core beliefs and how so?
No deviation.  If you view existence as a cyclical phenomenon, then there is not a need to search for a beginning and an ending. How can one be satisfied with a hypothetical "beginning or ending" when the next logical question is "what was before the beginning?" or "what happens after the ending?".  

As regards to prayer, actually Buddhism is far from just praying. The more important aspect is meditation and how to put the Buddha's teachings into practice to experience contentment and inner peace.

Hope this helps.

Take care.

Justin Choo