Expert: Justin Choo - 9/18/2006

Question
Hi justinchoo, thatks for your kind words of wisdom. having explored some of the principals of Buddhism I have become interested in exploring it further. Can you recommend anylitterature and websites that could give me an introduction to Buddhism as I would like to study and understand it further.
Kindest regards
Derrick D
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Followup To

Question -
We have just become foster carers to our grandson who is a 'Looked After Child', his mother is tai and a non practicing buddhist. the chilsd is 14 weeks old and has had a buddhist blessing. The mother wanted the babies head shaving but the social worker would not allow this so a cutting of hair was taken instead. We have been informed at a meeting that the mother still wishes his head to be shaved as it is a neccessary part of buddhism for this to take place. Could you tell me if this is neccessary as the child is only 14 weeks old and unable to make the decission himself and as his carers we need to express our views in the child's interests whilst still respecting the religious requirements of the mothers chosen religion for the child.

Answer -
Hi Derrick,

Thank you for asking me.

The Buddha taught the truth about existence and how to live a peaceful and happy life.  His teachings were based on universal truths which transcend race, culture, belief, nationality, and even time and space.  He taught us the importance of using our common sense and human intelligence to conduct our lives in a wholesome and peaceful manner.  He was not overtly concerned over traditional and cultural practices and beliefs so long as they were not harmful to his followers.  

What you have related has nothing to do with the TEACHINGS of the Buddha.  It may be just a cultural practice relevant to Thai culture (I don't know) which has been wrongly infused into "Buddhist practices".  The Buddha never set any commandment forcing anyone to blindly believe and abide.  Shaving a baby's head at a prescribed age would be the last thing in the Buddha's mind!  

If the mother insists that it is a "Buddhist requirement", then ask her to quote the source from the Tipitaka, the text of the Buddhists.

As this is a sensitive matter, it would be better to approach it in a polite manner through discussion hinting that this may not be a Buddhist requirement, but rather a perculiar Thai custom.  Then the question would be whether you need to follow this Thai custom?  I assume that you are not in Thailand, otherwise there won't be a problem.  If so, then you can mitigate that since it is not Thailand, perhaps some compromises could be accepted.

As from my personal opinion, the baby is more interested to have his milk and sleep, rather than to waste time on whether to shave or not to shave!  It doesn't matter which way actually, for it is just a matter of getting a shave!   Cultural practices are neither good nor bad.  Thay are just idiosyncrasies of "civilized" humans.

Smile from justinchoo :-)  

Answer
Hi Derrick,

Welcome back, and thank you for your excellent ratings which makes me very happy that my effort is appreciated.  You see, to feel happy is a state of mind and it does not necessarily depend on material possession.  

Welcome to the path of inner peace and true happiness, which Buddhism is.  Here are the sites that you may take your time to surf through, and I wish you peace and happiness.  Please come back if you need further clarifications or have some thoughts to share.

http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/whatbelieve.pdf
"What Buddhist Believe"  by Ven. K Sri Dhammananda.  This book explains the Buddhist perspective on life's general questions.
Venerable K. Sri Dhammananda was my revered teacher. His writings have benefitted countless people throughout the world.  He had recently passed away (18 Mar 1919 -- 31 Aug 2006)

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=12,2800,0,0,1,0
Film about Chief : Ven. K Sri Dhammananda

http://www.ksridhammananda.com
Venerable K. Sri Dhammananda is my revered teacher.  


http://www.geocities.com/wave_books
You can obtain excellent publications from them.

http://www.buddhanet.net  (The “mother” of all Buddhist web sites)
http://www.dharmanet.org
http://www.buddhism.about.com
http://www.parami.org/buddhistanswers/index.htm
http://www.nibbana.com
http://www.triplegem.net
http://www.buddhistchannel.tv
http://www.bswa.org

This site is  in Western Australia where Ajahn Brahmawamso resides. He is an English monk and is a very popular speaker. You can listen to his talk through this site:


http://dharmaavenue.com/home.htm  
http://www.thebuddhistsociety.org
www.fundamental-buddhism.com
http://www.maithri.com/index.asp
http://www.parami.org/buddhistanswers/
http://www.abhayagiri.org/
Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery, the first monastery in the United States to be established by followers of Ajahn Chah, was founded in 1996 in the mountainous forests north of Ukiah, California.

www.dhammasukha.org

Smile from justinchoo :-)