Expert: Justin Choo - 2/19/2011

Question
I need help for my final. I have several questions and I have lucked out with finding someone who could help me. The final is due tomorrow and I am in desperate need of help. I would greatly appreciate all the help you could give.
1. What are the important holidays and traditions of your religion?
2. How has your religion shaped your life?  
3. What are the challenges, if any, to practicing your religion?
4. How has Buddhism affected the lives of the people around the world?
5. What are the restrictions of Buddhism, if any?
6. What makes Buddhism different from the rest of the religions?
7. What is the most important thing about Buddhism as a religion?8. Could you explain how this religion works or is practiced?
9. Is it possible to convert to Buddhism? If so, How is it done?
10. How can you help those in need with the teachings of your religion, how can your religion benefits others?
I would again greatly appreciate all the help I can get as I really need the answers. I also need your name and if possible an e-mail as my professor wants to see that i have not cheated. Can you please help me???

Answer
Hi Veronica,

I have answered those questions many times.  If you look through the answer archives you should find them.  I think by now your professor should be bored of reading my answers again.  Nevertheless, here are the answers, very briefly:

1. What are the important holidays and traditions of your 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.

2. How has your 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.

3. What are the challenges, if any, to practicing your religion?
The challenge is to change oneself to be less greedy, less hateful, and to be mindful to improve one's spiritual life towards living in peace with oneself and with others.

4. How has Buddhism affected the lives of the people around the world?
Those who really practise the pristine teachings of the Buddha will experience contentment, and inner peace.

5. What are the restrictions of Buddhism, if any?
No restriction.  Just simple precepts that Buddhists are advised to follow.  

6. What makes Buddhism different from the rest of the religions?
The freedom to use our human intellgence and common sense to analyze the Buddha's teachings.  Only accept if one agrees.

7. What is the most important thing about Buddhism as a religion?
The most important thing is to live peacefully and avoid being a niusance to society.

8. Could you explain how this religion works or is practiced?
The Golden Rule.  Do not do to others which you don't want done to you.

9. Is it possible to convert to Buddhism? If so, How is it done?
Conversion is just for show to satisfy the human emotion and ego.  If you follow the teachings of the Buddha, then you are a Buddhist.  That simple.


10. How can you help those in need with the teachings of your religion, how can your religion benefits others?
This is not easy to do.  In need of what?  Benefits:  Experience contentment and inner peace.

<<I also need your name and if possible an e-mail as my professor wants to see that i have not cheated.>>
Just give him the link to this site.

Hope this helps. Wishing you success in your studies.

Justin Choo