Expert: Justin Choo - 10/6/2007

Question
I am enrolled in an Eastern and Western thought course, and I have been assigned to ask an expert on Buddhism three questions. Thanks for helping (I know rather little about Buddhism)!

1. How is the idea of family important or unimportant in Buddhism?

2. How do Buddhist ideas of community and the individual compare with Western ideas?

3. What is the role of meditation in the daily life of a Buddhist?

Answer
Hi Andrew,

1. How is the idea of family important or unimportant in Buddhism?

Buddhism is about knowing the true nature of life and the universe.  Family matters are worldly affairs.  Of course being Buddhists also mean to lead a noble, peaceful and harmless life.  If he is a family person, then he is responsible to ensure that the family is taken care of.  Family is important for the family man, irrespective of religion.


2. How do Buddhist ideas of community and the individual compare with Western ideas?
Since Buddhist concept of life and the universe is quite different from that of the Western Christians, perceptions of existence and life's problems differ.  Apart from religion, race and culture also reflect the person and community values.

3. What is the role of meditation in the daily life of a Buddhist?
When we sit in meditation, we are actually in a training session where we try to tame the mind from wandering.  It is a very difficult process because our mind likes to wander.  It is its very nature to wander continuously.  So we require patience and perseverance in our sessions to repeatedly bring back our wandering mind to focus on an object or to be aware of this wandering.  Over time we will be successful to tame this mind to be more quiet and calm.  Once this is achieved, we can train this mind to obey us, instead of letting our mind control us.  An uncontrolled mind leads us to react to external stimuli without restrain.  A controlled mind leads us to be mindful and to respond wisely.  

Smile from justinchoo :-)