Expert: Justin Choo - 7/6/2006

Question
What one thing would you consider the foundation of Buddhism?
What is the most important thing that people of different faith should know about Buddhism?
What tradition or ritual do you appreciate the most?
Do any of your traditions or rituals represent prayer?
Does Buddhism have any specific symbols?  If so, what do they represent?
Are their written scriptures?
When you have reached Enlightenment, what does that mean? What have you achieved?  What happens next, are you reborn? Where do you go?

Thank you so much for answering my questions.  I am quite curious about Buddhism.

Answer
Hi Patt,

Thank you for asking me.

Your qn :"What one thing would you consider the foundation of Buddhism?"

My comment:  The traditional answer would be the 4 noble truths as expounded by the Buddha.  This encompasses his revelation of the realities of existence.  But in my opinion, for the general public, the one thing that stands out is the freedom to think and analyze the Buddha's teachings by using our human intelligence and common sense.  This freedom is the epitome of Buddhism.  Buddhists are really free citizens of the world.  Just like freedom in a democracy, it encourages its citizens to voice their opinions and to progress.  In a country without much freedom, the society is stifled and stagnant with fear.  This happens to most religions.


Your qn: "What is the most important thing that people of different faiths should know about Buddhism?"

My comment:  Most people misunderstand Buddhism.  What you read and see are most probably the stereotyped rites and rituals which are not taught by the Buddha.  There is a joke that whatever that is not Christianity, Islam, or Hinduism, must be Buddhism!  By the way most people think that the Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of all Buddhists.  Some even think that he is the incarnation of the Buddha.  He is neither.  He is the leader of one of the 4 major Buddhist sects in Tibet.  The most important thing that people should know about Buddhism is "Non-violence".  Buddhism emphasizes on the peaceful conduct of human lives.  Even when others chose to blow-up the giant Buddha Statues, Buddhists did not resort to violence.  After all, what are so important about 2 pieces of rock!?

Your qn: "What tradition or ritual do you appreciate the most?"

My comment:  I only appreciate the teachings of the Buddha which can be summed up in 3 sentences:
            Avoid doing evil
            Cultivate the good   
            Purify the mind


Your qn: "Do any of your traditions or rituals represent prayer?"

My comment:  If "prayer" means asking for help or salvation, then no.  Buddhists do radiate kind thoughts to the good angels (for lack of a better English term) who may protect them and help them to solve worldly problems.  As for ultimate salvation, Buddhists are masters of themselves.

Your qn: "Does Buddhism have any specific symbols?  If so, what do they represent?"

My comments: There are lots of Buddhist symbols.  I shall give only the more common ones. Lotus signifies purity inherent in everyone.  The wheel signifies the beginning of the Buddha's dispensation of his teachings.  The swastika in the shape of "Z" signifies happiness and good luck, very popular with the Chinese.  The Bodhi leaf signifies the Buddha's enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. The Buddha's palm(s) signifying the Buddha's teachings and protection. The other common paraphenalia are joss sticks, water, candles, bell, beads, flowers, holy strings, and incense.  And of course, the Buddha images of all shapes and sizes.  The Buddhist flag is a colourful one displaying the brilliance of the Buddha's aura.  This is one flag that will never be tainted with blood.

            
Your qn: "Are there written scriptures?"

My comment: There are various "traditions" of Buddhism.  The two main ones are the Theravada (the one I follow) and the Mahayana.  The former follow the Tipitaka which contains all the teachings of the Buddha.  The Mahayana has different sets.  However, the fundamental teachings of the Buddha are taught by both traditions.

Your qn: " When you have reached Enlightenment, what does that mean? What have you achieved?  What happens next, are you reborn? Where do you go?"

My comments:  You would need a certain level of Buddhist knowledge to understand my comments.  But I shall try my best to answer in the simplest term.  "Enlightenment" means "awakened".  It's just like a person who has been sleeping and suddenly he is awakened.  He now fully understands the true nature of life and attained full realization of his position in life.  The "result" is his complete eradication of greed, hatred, and delusion; and the "reward" is the attainment of Nibbana, no more craving for existence, the ultimate freedom in a completely different dimension.  As for me, I'm just an ordinary mortal with a little bit more knowledge of the teachings of the Buddha.

May I recommend www.buddhanet.net if you need more info.  Of course you are most welcome to visit here any time.

Smile from justinchoo :-)