Expert: Joe McSorley - 8/21/2011

Question
Hi Joe
 How R U? I wanted to contact you again.To ask you,about the difference between Catholic's & Buddhist's tradition's.What tradition's & celebration's do Buddha's have? How do Buddhists' welcome a new born into the world? Is it like the way a Catholic family would by having the baby christened in a church? And what way is it like for a Buddhist couple when they are getting married?

Sorry for so many question's.
Thank U very much
Julie-ann

Answer
Hi Julie-ann,
  I am completely sorry to take so long to answer you.  I competely spaced on this question.
  Where RC is based on ritual and ceremonies Buddhism for the most part is not.  I have been to weddings and funerals of Buddhists and it's generally just a secular affair with a Buddhist priest standing by to give his blessing.  It's a completely culturally based thing.  Here is a web site that talks about it: http://www.buddhanet.net/funeral.htm  Since Buddhism is not based on faith but on actualizaton of the Buddha's teachings you don't have the idea of Baptism or any of the other sacraments of the RC church.
  So long a time for such a short answer.  Sorry.
         Take care,
         Joe