Frequently Asked Questions
What is Buddhism?
Buddhism is one of the major world religions and has its origins more than 2,500 years
ago when Siddhattha Gotama was fully awakened (enlightened) at the age of 35. He came to be known as the Buddha. The word Buddha comes
from the root word 'buddha', meaning 'to know or to awaken'.
Who was the Buddha?
The Buddha was a fully enlightened teacher who was
born into a royal family in northern
How can Buddhism help me?
Buddhism provides a clear sense of purpose and direction in life, it explains apparent injustice and inequality around the world, and it provides a code of practice or way of life which leads to true happiness.
Do Buddhists worship idols?
Buddhists sometimes pay respect to images of the Buddha, not in worship, nor to ask forfavors. A statue of the Buddha with hands rested gently in its lap and a compassionate smile reminds us to strive to develop peace
and love within ourselves. When Buddhists bow they are actually venerating or showing their respect and appreciation for the triple
gem (the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha). Bowing is an expression of reverence, humility and gratitude.
Is Buddhism a Religion?
To
many, Buddhism goes beyond religion and is more of a philosophy or way of life. It is a philosophy because philosophy means 'love
of wisdom' and the Buddhist path can be summed up as:
Are Other Religions Wrong?
Buddhism is also a belief system which is tolerant of all other beliefs or religions. Buddhism agrees with
the moral teachings of other religions, but Buddhism goes further by providing a long term purpose within our existence, through wisdom
and true understanding. Real Buddhism is very tolerant and not concerned with labels like 'Christian', 'Moslem', 'Hindu' or 'Buddhist'.
Hence, no wars have been fought in the name of Buddhism. This is also why Buddhists do not preach and try to convert, but instead,
explain if an explanation is sought.
Are There Different Types of Buddhism?
There are many different schools within Buddhism such
as Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana. Whilst all maintain the basic teachings, the emphasis and interpretation may vary to accommodate
the needs of individual aspirants with different traditional and cultural backgrounds, and may also vary due to different levels of
development and understanding.
Why is Buddhism Becoming Popular?
Is Buddhism Scientific?
Science is knowledge which can be made into a system, which depends
upon seeing and testing facts and stating general natural laws. The core of Buddhism fits into this definition, because the Four Noble
Truths (see below) can be tested and proven by anyone. In fact the Buddha himself asked his followers to test the teaching rather
than simply accept his teaching. Buddhism depends more on understanding and practice than faith. Although Buddhism is realistic and
objective, it goes beyond the limits of modern day science in its explanations.
Why Are Buddhists Not Always Vegetarians?
A lay
Buddhist can make a free choice what he or she eats. A monk or nun has fewer options, and usually has to make do with what is offered.
As long as one does not kill, urge to kill, rejoice in killing, nor speak in praise of it, one can buy and eat meat. The kamma depends
on one’s intention. Those who kill or trade in animals to make a living will inherit their bad kamma. It is a wrong livelihood for
a Buddhist, but not everyone in the world is a Buddhist. Even so, some Buddhists may be fishermen or may raise livestock. Growing
fruit and vegetables nearly always involves the deliberate destruction of many living beings too. Not everyone can afford pure organic
produce.
How do I Become a Buddhist?
Formal conversion to Buddhism is not necessary, because one’s label or category is less important than"avoiding evil, doing good and purifying the mind". Buddhist teachings can be understood and tested by anyone because the solutions
to our problems are within ourselves, not outside. The Buddha asked all his followers to test the teachings for themselves (not just
taking his word). Buddhism encourages personal responsibility for one’s own actions.
Are Buddhist pacifists?
A Buddhist
can use reasonable force in self-defense. One does not have to meekly accept injustice as the result of one’s past bad kamma. However,
one should consider carefully before acting, and be wary of acting in the heat of the moment, though that is often unavoidable. Hatred
is never appeased by hatred, and harsh words lead to quarrels, even to the exchange of blows. Buddhists can resort to the law to defend
their property rights or reputation. If one kills or injures others while retaliating in self-defense the kamma will depend on one’s
intention. Martial arts that aim to disarm one’s assailant while inflicting no more pain than absolutely necessary, have developed
out of the Buddhist ideology of non-violence.
What Are the 5 Precepts?
The moral code within Buddhism is the precepts, of which the
basic five are: not to take the life of anything living, not to take anything not freely given, to abstain from sexual misconduct
and sensual overindulgence, to refrain from false and harsh speech, and to avoid intoxication (ie, losing mindfulness).
What is Wisdom?
Buddhism
teaches that wisdom consists of Right Thought and Right Understanding. The highest wisdom is seeing that in reality, all phenomena
are inter-dependent, incomplete, impermanent and do not constitute a fixed entity. True wisdom is not simply believing what we are
told, but instead experiencing and understanding truth and reality. Wisdom requires an open, objective and unbigoted mind. Wisdom
is intelligence with understanding.
What is Compassion?
Compassion is the wish for the well-being of suffering beings. This motivates
us to help others with consoling speech and kind actions. Compassion includes the qualities of sharing, readiness to give comfort,
empathy, concern and caring.
What is Karma?
Karma means volition - or an intentional action expressed in thought, speech or bodily action.
Karma underlines the importance of all individuals being responsible for their past and present actions. According to the law
of Karma, good begets good, evil begets evil. We are what we are as a result of our past thoughts, speech and actions. What we will
be in the future will be the result of our present thoughts, speech and actions.
What is the Noble Eight-fold Path?
In summary, the Noble Eight-fold Path is being moral (through what we say and do and our livelihood), focusing the mind on being fully aware of our thoughts and actions, and developing wisdom by understanding the Four Noble Truths and by developing compassion (concern) for others.
What did the Buddha Teach?
The Dhamma can be summed up by the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path.
What is the First Noble
Truth?
The first truth is that life is unsatisfactory (dukkha), that is, life encompasses pain, old age, disease, and ultimately death.
We also endure psychological suffering like loneliness, frustrations, fear, embarrassment, disappointment, anger, etc. This is an
irrefutable fact which cannot be denied. It is realistic rather than pessimistic because it views all things as transient and changing.
Buddhism is also optimistic in that it explains how suffering can be avoided and how we can be truly happy.
What is the Second Noble
Truth?
The second truth is that suffering is caused by craving. We will suffer if we expect other people to conform to our expectations,
or we do not get something we want, etc. In other words, getting what you want does not guarantee happiness. Rather than constantly
struggling to get what you want, try to modify your desires. Attachment and craving deprive us of contentment and happiness, and lead
to physical and mental suffering. A lifetime of desires and craving, and especially the craving to continue to exist, creates a powerful
energy which causes the individual to be reborn. On the other hand craving for non-existence can lead to suicide.
What is the Third
Noble Truth?
The third truth is that suffering of all forms can be overcome with the cessation of craving, which leads to the realization
of the ultimate state of Nirvana. In other words, if there is no craving, there is no attachment, then there is no becoming, no rebirth,
no old age, no sickness and death.
What is the Fourth Noble Truth?
The fourth truth is the way or path to the complete cessation of
suffering. This is called the Noble Eight-fold Path.
