Expert: Justin Choo - 11/27/2007

Question
(sorry if I spelt it wrong)
Hi, I'm called Bex, I gave you my roleplayer email adress, to be safer on the internet!

1. How many times a day do Buddihsts pray or worship?

2. Who do they worship?

3. How do they worship there god?

4. How do buddhist react to femenism?

5. How is buddhism differant to other religions?

6. Would you consider buddhism as a peacefull yet strong religion?

7. What is there culture?

8. Do they have any particular objects that they use?

Answer
Hi Bex,

Before answering your questions, please let me explain that Buddhism is about universal truths which transcend race, nationality, time and space.  It is about personal cultivation to experience inner peace and contentment.  The Buddha advised us to live a dignified and harmless life, so that we could enjoy a peaceful life.  We need to conduct our lives in a humane manner.  The Buddha never set any commandment forcing his followers to abide rigidly.  Buddhism is about freedom to use our common sense and human intelligence to live a dignified and peaceful life.  Now my answers to your questions will make better sense to you.

<<1. How many times a day do Buddihsts pray or worship?>>
The Buddha never introduced rites and rituals.  They were introduced by his followers years after his death.  Rites and rituals were introduced to satisfy human psychological and emotional needs.  Being a very liberal and accommodating "religion", its followers were able to incorporate their cultural and traditional practices into the teachings.  That's why we have Tibetan, Japanese, Chinese Buddhism, etc,etc.  So, one can pray or pay homage or recite suttas(discourses) as and when one wishes.  As for me, I do my recitations once in the morning upon waking up and another before going to sleep at night.

<< 2. Who do they worship? >>
They pay homage to the Buddha.

<<3. How do they worship their god?>>
We recite salutations to the Buddha.

<<4. How do buddhists react to feminism?>>
Buddhism is about universal truths and the path to inner happiness and contentment.  Male or female; do you have a choice?  How to make judgement when one has no control over it?  Male or female; we are all humans with a prescribed set of DNAs.  

<<5. How is buddhism different from other religions?>>
It gives freedom to its followers to use their common sense and human intelligence to live a peaceful and contented life; by not harming others.

<<6. Would you consider buddhism as a peaceful yet strong religion?>>
It is a peaceful "religion".  Strong or otherwise, it doesn't matter.

<<7. What is its culture?>>
Please refer to my introduction above.

<<8. Do they have any particular objects that they use?>>
Only common sense and human intelligence to harness the power of the mind.

Smile from justinchoo :-)