Question 1: Is Buddhism a Religion?
Short Answer: No, it’s a philosophy.
Long Answer: While some Buddhist sects think of themselves as Religions, true Buddhism fails the requirements of a Religion. Buddhism has no God, Buddha is not a God.
The doctrine and teachings of Buddhism are not mandatory but merely suggestions, try them if they work for you; if you need to change something to make it work for you, do it! If something doesn’t work for you at all, don’t do it.
Question 2: If Buddhism is not a Religion, what is is?
Answer: Buddhism started about 2,500 years ago, when Siddharthe Gotama (the Buddha) reached enlightenment (awaken). The Buddha was born to a royal family in Lumbini (today’s Nepal). At age 29 Siddharthe Gotama realized that secular wealth did not translate into happiness, and embarked into an exploration of religion and philosophies to find the way to happiness. His quest lasted 6 years and he found enlightenment at age 35. It was then that he dedicated the rest of his life to teaching the principles of Buddhism (the Dharma, or Truth). The Budda dies at age 80.
The word Buddhism comes from the word “Budhi” which means “To awaken”.
Question 3: Why are there various sects of Buddhism?
Short Answer: Because they exist.
Long Answer: In the past 2,500 as Buddhism spread from country to country, each country added their own customs and culture to Buddism, however the core teaching of Buddhism, the Dharma or Truth remains unchanged across the various types of Buddhism.
Question 4: Do I have to give up and renounce my current Religion to become a Buddhist?
Short Answer: No.
Long Answer: As far as the Buddhist community is concerned you can be a Buddhist and be part of an organized Religion. Your current Religion might view Buddhism as another Religion – which is not – and might not like that. That is something that you and your Religion have to reconcile. The question that you must ask yourself is: Is there any part of Buddhism that is against my Religion?
Question 5: How big is Buddhism?
Short Answer: Big.
Long Answer: about 300 million individuals around the world practice Buddhism.
Question 6: What’s the process of indoctrination or conversion to Buddhism?
Short Answer: None.
Long Answer: You want to become Buddhist? Say so, and you are. Want to stop be a Buddhist? Done. Want to come back to Buddhism, say so and you are. Some Buddhist sects do have indoctrinations processes and ceremonies, however true pure Buddhism welcomes you without any introduction process or any ceremony; but in the spirit of Buddhism, if you want an indoctrination process make yourself one, same for the ceremony. The most important part of Buddhism is practice, you can do it on your own by following any of the books available. If you decide to belong to a
Buddhist centre visit the ones near you and select the ones where the people and the experience resonate with you.
Question 5: What are the basic concepts of Buddhism?
Short Answer: the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path.
Long Answer: the Four Noble Truths are:
- Life as we know it, ultimately leads to suffering (dukkha);
- Suffering is caused by craving or attachments to worldly pleasures of all kinds;
- Suffering ends when craving ends, when one is freed from desire. This is achieved by eliminating all delusion, thereby reaching a liberated state of Enlightenment (bodhi);
- The Noble 8-fold Path is the path which leads to the end of suffering:
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- Viewing reality as it is, not just as it appears to be;
- Intention of renunciation, freedom and harmlessness;
- Speaking in a truthful and non hurtful way;
- Acting in a non harmful way;
- A non harmful livelihood;
- Making an effort to improve;
- Awareness to see things for what they are with clear consciousness, being aware of the present reality with oneself, without any craving or aversion;
- Correct meditation and concentration.
Question 6: That’s it? Are there any additional rules to being a Buddhist?
Short Answer: there’s more.
Long Answer: There are the 5 Precepts which can be thought of the more code within Buddhism:
- Not to take the like of anything living;
- Not to take anything not freely given;
- To abstain from sexual misconduct and sensual overindulgence;
- To refrain from untrue speech;
- To avoid intoxication, that is, losing mindfulness.
Question 7: Anything else I should know?
Short Answer: Do you want to?
Long Answer: There are a few more pillars to Buddhism:
Karma. Karma is the low that every cause has an effect. Every time a person acts there is some quality of intention at the base of the mind, and it is that quality, rather than the outward appearance of the action, that determines its effect.
Wisdom. Initially wisdom is attained at a conceptual level by means of listening, reading, studying, reciting or engaging in discourse. Once the conceptual understanding is attained, it is applied daily to life so that the individual can verify and experience first hand the truth of the Buddha’s teaching at a practical level. One can attain Nirvana (Enlightenment) at any point of practice, whether deep in meditation, listening to a sermon, conduction the business of one’s daily life, or any other activity.
Compassion. Compassion is crucial to any Buddhist and includes qualities of sharing, readiness to give comfort, sympathy, concern, caring. One can really understand others, when one can really understand oneself, through wisdom.
{Photography by Tony the Misfit}
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