Expert: Bodhicitta - 12/18/2006

Question
I have one thought thats very disturbing to me. It seems that Buddhism is " All on your own ". You can find no encouragement in it. This is one point that I find Buddhism could not cope with other faiths. Other faiths especially Christianity provides devotees care through prayers. It gives them the feeling that they are supported. Buddhism, no. While many Buddhists still practices prayers, which is somehow against the Buddha's real teachings, but is encouraged by Mahayana Buddhism. Do prayers work? What do we do if we're troubled then? What about sincere prayers? Do they work?

I'm feeling lost now. Please guide me a.s.a.p.

With Metta.

Answer
Hi Shaun
Thanks for your questions...

Buddhism is not all on your own. In Buddhism there is the ideas that all beings are Buddha's or have that potential. Buddhists feel great devotion to the Buddha nature in themselves and others. So there are potentially many beings who could help on the path to awakening.

Great beings who have realised their Buddha nature to a high degree are called Bodhisattvas or Buddhas dependings on their level of perfection. Buddhists pray to the Buddha's and Bodhisattvas for their blessing and help.

Faith is a central tenet of Buddhism. Western rationalists look at Buddhism and think there is no devotion. But if you
go to a traditional asian country there are countless shrines, sacred places and offerings.

There are two aspects to Buddhism, firstly devotion - which is a powerful vehicule, secondly wisdom obtained through meditation. It is necessary to have both to progress. They are like the two wings of a bird - with only one you would fly in circles.

You say that prayer is against Buddha's real teachings and that it is peculiar to Mahayana. Well if you go to a Theravada country such as Sri Lanka or Thailand you will
see people showing enormous devotion and making prayers as a central activity of their spiritual life.

These so called division between Mahayana and non-Mahayana seem to exist neatly in Western text books - but do not have alot on the ground.,

Buddhists do believe that prayers do work, and sincere prayers are the path to awakening.
Metta (a prayer!)
Bodhicitta (another prayer!)