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Buddhists/A few questions on Buddhism

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Expert: - 11/25/2007


Question
Hi, I have a few questions regarding the Buddhist religion. I would be very very appreciative if you were able to answer them!

What are some Buddhist rituals?

What are some great ideas of faith?

What spiritual practices are there?

What is your worldview of faith?

What are important issues facing faith?

What is your relationship with the surrounding community?

How does one become a member of the Buddhist church?

What special events are there?

Are there any special problems with the Buddhist religion?


As you can see, I am very interested and I am actually researching the Buddhist religion. So your help would help me out a lot! Please respond as soon as possible! Thank you!!!

Answer
Hi Allen,

What are some Buddhist rituals?

The original teachings of the Buddha did not incorporate any rituals.  Rituals were established by the followers to suit their psychological and emotional needs and were  influenced by their tradition and culture.  Most Buddhist rituals involve chanting of suttas, which are the teachings of the Buddha.

What are some great ideas of faith?
Buddhists do not believe in blind faith.  Buddhist "faith" is more of "confidence".  The confidence in practising the teachings of the Buddha.

What spiritual practices are there?
"Spiritual" has many meanings.  Buddhist practice is very simple.  The Golden Rule:  Do not do to others what you do not wish others do to you.

What is your worldview of faith?
Faith in oneself.

What are important issues facing faith?
Blind faith is dangerous to oneslef and to others.

What is your relationship with the surrounding community?
Live and let live.

How does one become a member of the Buddhist church?
There is no membership, impossible.  Budhist teachings are like air.  It's free for everyone.  You don't need to be a member to breathe the air!  "Buddhist" is just a label.  The real Buddhist is one who practises the teachings of the Buddha.

What special events are there?
The most significant day is Wesak Day (Buddha Day) which falls on the first full moon day of May.  This day marks the three important events of the Buddha; his birth, his enlightenment, and his death.

Are there any special problems with the Buddhist religion?
No problem.   When one chooses to live in peace and harmlessness, there is no more problem.

Smile from justinchoo :-)  

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Justin Choo

Expertise

When in doubt seek it out. All your questions will be answered, and you may not have to agree with the answers. Such is the beauty of Buddhism. You are free to decide. I follow the Theravada tradition, and have been studying Buddhism for more than 40 years. Please view my profile for more details. I have answered more than 1500 questions since joining this category. You may like to give me the honor to answer your question.

Experience

I was brought up in the 50's as a Buddhist. For the past 40 years I have read numerous books on Buddhism and listened to numerous talks on Buddhism by well-respected and learned monks and lay teachers. I conduct Buddhist classes for parents of Sunday School children in a Theravada Buddhist Temple. My teacher was the late Chief Reverend, The Ven. K Sri Dhammananda of The Brickfields Buddhist Mahavihara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. You can view the relevent website in memory of my revered late teacher @ http://www.ksridhammananda.com

Organizations
I am a life member of the Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia.

Publications
YOU ARE INVITED TO VISIT MY BLOG @ http://lifeislikethat999.blogspot.com/ Published a book called "The Rainbow And The Treasure". It is a compilation of extracts from various sources to introduce Buddhism to beginners. (Currently out of print)

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Commerce And Administration, Victoria University Of Wellington, NZ.(1974)

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