Expert: Justin Choo - 10/4/2007

Question
Hello Justin-
This is Ashley.
I was assigned from my philosophy teacher to find an expert who can answer my questions about diverse religions.
I chose Biddhism and found you in AllExperts.com.
Hope you can answer my questtions.

1.What is Karma? Is there any hierarchy of things that you can reincarnate into?
2.What kind of attitude does the general Buddhists have toward other religions?
3.What kind of diet do general Buddhists have?  

Answer
Hi Ashley,

1. Karma (or kamma) is volitional action, meaning, actions done with intention or on purpose.  Every action will result in a reaction.  Good actions, good results.  Evil actions evil results.  A person is fully responsible for his own actions, and will reap the corresponding results.  This is the universal truth.  "Reincarnation" and "rebirth" are two different concepts.  The former means an unchanging "soul".  "Rebirth" is a "continuation"  of "life-force" which is forever changing. There are different planes of existence.  Upon death, rebirth takes place in accordance with the "storehouse" of consciousness.  If the "storehouse" is evil and unwholesome, then rebirth takes place in planes of suffering.  If it is pure and wholesome, rebirth takes place in happier planes of existence.  

2. Buddhists practise the teachings of the Buddha.  What other religions do, are their own business.  So long as people live a noble and harmless life, society will be peaceful.

3. There are two main Buddhist "traditions".  Mahayana and Theravada.  The former practises vegetarianism, while the latter does not insist on it.  It depends on the interpretation of what is "killing".  Actually eating meat does not necessary involves "killing" by the one who eats the meat.  

Hope this helps.

Smile from justinchoo :-)