Expert: Bodhicitta - 3/1/2005

Question
Hi, my name is Anand Desai, and I am from Massachusetts.  I am asking these questions for and Eastern and Western thought class, in which I have to ask three questions to a buddhist.

1.  What makes buddhism different from other religions?

2.  To reach enlightenment, do buddhists have to follow a strict moral code or does each person decide for himself on how to live?

3.  Many people have misconceptions on the buddhist view of reincarnation, what is the view in buddhism of reincarnation?

Answer
Hi Anand
Thank you for your question from Massachusetts.

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1. What makes buddhism different from other religions?
>>
I can not say as I have only a deep knowledge of Buddhism.

I can say that Buddhism is a quest for truth and for awakening to reality. Enlightenment if you like.

Buddhism has its origin with Shakyamuni Buddha 2500 years a go. He explored and mastered the existing systems in India in his day and found them lacking so developed his
own system of training and used it to reach enlightenment.

It would also be good to point out that Buddhism is not
a theistic religion.

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2. To reach enlightenment, do buddhists have to follow a strict moral code or does each person decide for himself on how to live?
>>
There are different Buddhist paths, traditions and systems.
One sutra says 84,000 paths to enligthnment for 84,000 types of being.

For example if you decided to be a Monk or Nun you would
take a vow to follow a large number of rules to live by.

If you were a lay person you might start by taking 5 basic vows. You might later take more vows.

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3. Many people have misconceptions on the buddhist view of reincarnation, what is the view in buddhism of reincarnation?  
>>
Life is a dream. The world doesnt dwell anywhere, it has no existence. It is an illusion. If beings reach enlightenment they will see this illusion for what it is.
Reincarnation assumes there is a world, there are bodies
to be born into etc. The Buddhist view of existence is
much vaster and deeper than this.

Hope this helps
Bodhicitta