Expert: Justin Choo - 2/27/2006

Question
Hello, I have some questions regarding buddhism that I hoped you would be able to answer.

My first question is how do Buddhists handle "sins" per say? Catholisism has confessions, I was wondering if Buddhism has a similar structure or if it handles morally offensive actions different.

My second question is how do you see Buddhism today?  Is its following strong, is it growing?

My third question is regarding the different sects of Buddhism. It seems there are multiple ways to show your buddhist beliefs, much like their are many different ways to practice Christianity. Is it at a belief level, or ritualistic level? I read that buddhism does not really have rituals, or at least it was founded as such, so I was curious how  buddhists show their spirituality and the different ways they do it.

Thank you very much for you time,

Daniel Sullivan

Answer
Hi Daniel,

Thank you for asking me.

Your qn:My first question is how do Buddhists handle "sins" per say? Catholisism has confessions, I was wondering if Buddhism has a similar structure or if it handles morally offensive actions different.
Answer: It is about wholesome and unwholesome actions.  We don't need anyone to tell us what is morally right and what is wrong.  All of us have this common sense and human intelligence to discern right from wrong.  It is our untrained mind that leads us to act unwholesomely.  Due to greed, hatred and delusion, our mind reacts selfishly, with vengence because our ego is hurt. When one commits an unwholesome act, one is fully responsible for one's actions.  No amount of confessions can lessen the guilt.  The law of cause and effect rules supreme.  Good actions bring about good results; and bad actions will bring grief to the perpetrator. There is nowhere to hide, and nobody to bluff.  A Buddhist knows that he cannot get away from evil deeds.  That is why prevention is better than cure, not that there is any cure for actions done.  He knows that he is fully responsible for his actions; and as such he makes sure that he conducts his life with wisdom from the teachings of the Buddha.

Your qn:My second question is how do you see Buddhism today? Is its following strong, is it growing?
Answer: Buddhism is expanding, especially in the West.  This is mainly due to the speed of communication and the search for alternative answers to life and existence.


Your qn:My third question is regarding the different sects of Buddhism. It seems there are multiple ways to show your buddhist beliefs, much like their are many different ways to practice Christianity. Is it at a belief level, or ritualistic level? I read that buddhism does not really have rituals, or at least it was founded as such, so I was curious how buddhists show their spirituality and the different ways they do it.

Answer: You are right to say that the teachings of the Buddha are not encumbered with rites and rituals.  The Buddha found the answer to solve life's problems and how to experience inner peace and happiness.  Even before the Buddha's time people in India had been practising rites and rituals in the name of religion and salvation.  In fact the Buddha pointed out the futility of practising useless rites and rituals.
A little historical development of Buddhism will answer your question.
During the Buddha's time, his teachings were all memorized by the learned monks and passed down as such. After a few hundred years, differences in interpretations began to appear. A lot of Brahmins from the Brahmin religion (modern day Hinduism) became Buddhists. During that time the emperor was a Buddhist. His name was King Asoka. Naturally, all would like to become Buddhists! Because of these differences, King Asoka called for a council of monks to confirm the authenticity of the Buddha's teachings. The council of learned monks recited and confirmed the full text of the teachings which had been handed down by verbal recitation. They referred to this confirmation as the text of the elders (senior monks). In the Pali language it is called Theravada, which is the tradition that I follow. The Brahmin group decided to have their own version and called themselves the Great Vehicle (Great Wheel), in Pali, Mahayana. They then belittled the Theravada by calling them Lesser Vehicle which in Pali is Hinayana.
The Mahayana spread towards the north-west to Afghanistan, through the Silk Route to China, Korea, and Japan. While the Theravada spread to the south to Ceylon (Sri Lanka), and then up north-east to Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
Being very practical teachings based on universal truths, Buddhism was able to be accepted by the different communities. They could practise Buddhism without having to change their cultures and customs. That is why we have Tibetan Buddhism, Chinese Buddhism, Japanese Buddhism, and who knows Western Buddhism!
The beauty of Buddhism is that although there are such varieties, the basic teachings of the Buddha are the same. The difference is actually in the rites and rituals, and some other minor subjects.  Most Chinese Buddhist temples are of the Mahayana tradition, with emphasis on rites and rituals and a lot of chanting.  The Tibetans have their colourful way of practising Buddhism with their physical devotion in prostrating. The Theravada tradition emphasises in the practice of the Buddha's teachings and meditation, with less rites and rituals.

Smile from justinchoo :-)