Expert: Bodhicitta - 10/5/2005

Question
Hello, I was wondering if I could actually ask you three questions. I'm a senior in high school and we have a project where we have to interview an expert from one of a couple of religions. So I'm probably less than a novice when it comes to Buddhism, but I find it to be a very compelling philosophy. I apologize in advance if my questions are annoyingly naive. Ok, here we go:

1. What is the Buddhist view of women, and has this view changed much with the times?
2. I know for Christianity, the ultimate goal is to go to Heaven. For Buddhism, is the goal to finally break free from the wheel of Karma? Or is that what meditation is for?
3. I've heard that Buddhists do not worship the Buddha like a god. How do Buddhists show their praise and dedication?

Answer
Hello Alanna,
Thanks for your well worded and clearly expressed questions. I don't think they are naive. The clearer
and simpler the question the better !


<<1. What is the Buddhist view of women, and has this view changed much with the times? >>
Buddhism values all sentient beings  whether animals, men, women, or beings of types that are
out of our ken. Beings  can manifest in a miriad of forms. At heart we are all the same, having awakened hearts,
having infinite wisdom and compassion...So to say men are good and women are bad or vice versa
would not be a Buddhist view.Buddhism values all beings
equally.



<<2. I know for Christianity, the ultimate goal is to go to Heaven. For Buddhism, is the goal to finally
break free from the wheel of Karma? Or is that what meditation is for? >>

The goal of Buddhism is to Awake! In fact the word "Buddha" is Sanskrit for  "Awake". We all have the same
nature so we can all awake. Buddhism is the science of meditation the way  we can find out the deepest nature
of the mind and reality and discover who we really are. The historic figure who founded "Buddhism" - called the
Buddha is an example,
a man who using meditation Awoke and passed on the science of meditation through his compassion to others so they could do the same.


<<3. I've heard that Buddhists do not worship the Buddha like a god. How do Buddhists show their praise and dedication?
>>
Praise and dedication in Buddhism are directed to the discovery of truth and awakening. When we set our hearts on
something we move towards it, so it is good to set our hearts on discovering truth what better goal could we have?
Buddhism has the idea that beings suffer because they are confused and dont know the truth. The way to help beings
who are suffering is to discover truth and to help others do that. So the Buddhist path is primarily motivated to help
suffering beings be free of suffering - so it is an altrustic motivation. So praise and dedication of truth is good .
If people have an image of the Buddha on their shrines or in their temples they see this as a symbol that they could
discover the truth in their own minds. It isnt some sort of crude worship of a graven metal image. It  is important
to not  confuse symbol with what is pointed at. In the words of one Buddhist text - do not confuse the finger that
points at the moon with the moon.

Be well and happy Alanna and good luck with your project
Bodhicitta