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Buddhism
Buddhism is a tradition that focuses on personal spiritual development. Buddhists strive for a deep insight into the true nature of life such as Ahinsa, Karma, and Dharma.
5,024 Questions
What is the perception of Buddhism throughout the world?
One might say a persons many views turn into "understanding" through Dhamma practice. That understanding then starts liberating the mind. Dhamma principles center around mindfulness of the present moment, and Buddhism's views come from this observation. This question is loaded and is like asking a master carpender what his views are on carpentry. So no one can fully answer but I can cover the basics. 1. Is the observation of cause and effect, Kamma. Kamma simply put means that what you think, say, and do really makes a difference. The beginnings of Dhamma practice comes through self responsibility, and taking responsibility for our own happiness, and misery. 2. Is the observation of impermanence. If you focus on your mind, feelings, body, mental objects is always changing. As ones mind runs off to play with sights, sounds, ......etc. with mindful attention one can sober the mind to this impermanence. 3.Another observation is "not self" seeing through the illusion of a Big "I" behind all things. The "i" of seeing is the same as the "i" of thinking, the "i" of feeling is not the same as the "i" body parts. So this Big "I" breaks apart into streams of little "i"s arising and passing away every second. As the eight mindful steps of the Buddhas path begin to develop so does the powers of observation, insight, and views.
Is there an age limit for becoming a buddhist nun?
The age limit varies according to the lineage and monastery you might join.
How do Buddhists celebrate death?
Buddhists celebrate death by helping a dying person remember happy times, and comforting them as they pass. After a person dies, Buddhists will have a wake and burial, where they will chant to remind themselves about the fleeting nature of life.
How do Buddhist practice the act of worship?
Here is the pure Buddhist (Therawada) way of worshiping(respecting).
According to the Lord Buddha if some one recollect the virtues(qualities) of the Three Jewels it will diffidently merit for him in this life and next lives.
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammā-sambuddhassa.
(Homage to the Blessed One, the Worthy One, the Rightly Self-awakened One.)
- Take refuge in Three Jewels.
- Encouraged to follow five precepts (Sila).
- Recollection of the Qualities of the Buddha.
- Recollection of the Qualities of the Dhamma.
- Recollection of the Qualities of the Sangha.
There are many different types of Buddhism and so many different ways of 'worshipping'. I can confidently speak of my own Buddhist practice - Nicherin Diashonin;
Every morning and evening I chant "Nam-Moho-Renge-Kyo" many times whilst facing my gohonzon - which is an inscribed scripture encompassing the basic teachings of this Buddhism and reflecting my life. It is like a mirror I sit at every day to encourage my Buddhahood to shine though and show itself to the world.
Basically its s bit like meditation in daily life but an active, adaptable and useable energy force available for anyone to tap into whenever they want to.
Lots more info at: www.sgi-UK/org
I would say that the four holiest sites are:
1) Lumbini, Nepal - The Birthplace of Buddha
2) Bodhgaya, India - The place at which Buddha became enlightened.
3) Sarnath, India _ the place where Buddha gave his first sermon; and
4) Kushinagar, India- The place where Buddha left this world.
What is the symbol for uniqueness?
As far as I am aware there is no specific Buddhist symbol for uniqueness. One reason is that while recognize that each individual person is distinct unto themselves, we believe that everyone and everything is connected; so focusing on our own uniqueness leads to the mistaken belief that we are independent, self-sustaining self. This concept of an independent self leads to the dualistic mind that segregates me from you, us from them and leads to so much strife and hatred in the world.
What did Asoka believe should be done about religions that differed from Buddhism?
Asoka thought that all religions had a right to exist, and even gave donations to non-Buddhist religions.
Do Buddhist believe in prayer in school?
In the United States it is not prayer itself that's outlawed in schools. It's things like broadcasting prayers on the intercom and not allowing students to opt out that's illegal.
It's allowed as long as it's private and voluntary, like doing it on your own or with a group of friends.
Answer:
Prayer is not part of Buddhism as Buddhists have no deity requiring prayer. A Buddhist tries to live his life skillfully, not just through a few moments at the start of the day. As a consequence Buddhists have no concern over the presence or absence of prayer in schools. Like any social interaction it is incumbent on the Christians and other prayer sponsoring groups not to impose their beliefs system on the population in general.
What is the higher power of Buddhism?
This is a great person! Higher beings in Buddhism are often referred to as "Bodhisattvas". A Bodhisattva is an enlightened individual, who embodies the values of the Buddha. The Buddha, however, is more of a symbol of an individual that has perfected his path within Buddhism. The Buddha is not a god that is worshiped, as a Buddha is an individual that has mastered the teachings of Buddhism. In some cultures, the Buddhist teachings are influenced by political motives in a fashion no different than Christian based religions. So, the higher beings in Buddhism - are those who have mastered Buddhist practices. However, they are not "higher" in terms of worship, power, or influence. The highest being within Buddhism, is yourself. Keeping in mind - that Buddhism is not practiced to worship a god; it is a practice to master the karmic law of cause and effect.
What food rules do Buddhists follow?
Avowed Buddhists are strict vegetarian.
Answer:
Many people think Buddhists eat only plain rice or hold to a strictly vegetarian diet (with no exceptions). In truth Buddhists are inclined to a vegetarian diet as eating meat implies that animals have suffered. This does not hold true in all cases. HH the Dalai Lama only came to a strictly vegetarian diet later in life as, in Tibet (his homeland), the opportunity for pursuing such a diet is limited.
The only foods outside of a Buddhist's diet would be alcoholic drinks, and food prepared from animals slaughtered specifically at the request of the Buddhist.
It is a point of propriety that Buddhists will eat whatever food is given to them in good faith - as is demonstrated by the story that the Buddha himself died of eating tainted meat given to him for a meal.
What statement best describes a Buddhist point of view?
The Vinegar Tasters, three sours; vinegar tasting old-men; is a traditional subject in Chinese religious painting. The allegorical composition depicts the three founders of China's major religious and philosophical traditions: Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. The theme in the painting has been interpreted as favoring Taoism and critical of the others.
The three men are dipping their fingers in a vat of vinegar and tasting it; one man reacts with a sour expression, one reacts with a bitter expression, and one reacts with a sweet expression. The three men are Confucius, Buddha, and Laozi, respectively. Each man's expression represents the predominant attitude of his religion: Confucianism saw life as sour, in need of rules to correct the degeneration of people; Buddhism saw life as bitter, dominated by pain and suffering; and Taoism saw life as fundamentally good in its natural state. Another interpretation of the painting is that, since the three men are gathered around one vat of vinegar, the "three teachings" are one.
• Buddhism has no rules either for or against blood, bone marrow and organ donation.
• An important part of Buddhism is the wish to relieve suffering.
• Dying and death is seen as a very important time. The body must be treated with respect. A dead body should only be disturbed for an appropriate reason.
• Some Buddhists believe that consciousness stays within
the body for some time after breathing has stopped. An operation too soon will harm their future lives.
Other Buddhists may believe that to generously donate an organ can only be a positive act
Gautama Buddha received enlightenment by?
The holy one acheived enlightenment by ending human suffering after no longer having desires
Holy is two places. Wherever God is and wherever those people who truly believe in Him (and thus have His Holy Spirit in them to make them holy) are. Such are also made holy as they are washed in the blood of the lamb.
Why are there are several important similarities between Buddhism and Hinduism?
There just are not many substantial ways in which Hinduism and Buddhism are alike.
(1) They have their origins in the same country and time, and therefore in the same sets of questions about our place in the world and how we can best affect it. (Their answers, however, are quite opposite each other)
(2) They share some terms, however they use them in entirely different -- often totally opposite -- ways, so that's not "alike" but "contrary"
(3) They are both concerned with ethics
(4) They are both widely misunderstood by outsiders
(5) They are both interpreted in a wide variety of ways by their own practitioners.
What is the belief system of Buddhism?
Buddhism is a very complex religion But to put it in as much as a nutshell as I can. Buddhists feel that life for every thing is an on going learning experience. Looking at it from the Human perspective you are born and as you live you learn and develop and get a better understanding of the the truth or God they are interchangeable. When you upon your death you have a short break and come back again to learn some more and this continues until you understand that you are a pat of god as much as God is apart of you. There is no forgiving just progress forward whether you like it or not. The best way to get more expert opinions then mine is to talk to different Buddhists from different schools of thought
What religion did Buddha have?
Siddhartha Gautama,commonly known as Buddha is the founder of Buddhism.
Answer:
Buddha had his family were Hindu before he developed the thoughts that led to Buddhism. Many of the conventions in Buddhism relate to this background as Christianity relates to Judaism.
They do not pray to Buddah, but they do admire him. The goal of Buddhism is to live your life with no reliability to anyone or anything. Once you finally reach this state where you are attached to nothing and no person, then you are able o reach Zen. This is why they are only allowed 4 things, a needle, alms bowl, razor, and a water strainer (discluding their robe).
So the answer is no. They want to become like Buddah, in the sense that they want to disattach themselves from anyone and anything, but they do not pray to Buddah.
Which belief is most closely associated with the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama?
People can overcome their desires by following the Eight-Fold Path
Theravada
There are no classical schools of Buddhism that do both. The Pali Tripitaka is the center of Theravadin Buddhism, however historical study of the Buddha is not a part of the tradition -- though no doubt there are some Theravadins who have an interest.
The historical study of the Buddha seems to progress mostly in scholarly circles.
You might try searching out Skeptical Buddhism if you're interested in finding a group that is interested in both the Tripitaka and the historical study of the Buddha. (Facebook has an active group.)
Do Buddhists think the big bang theory is wrong?
There is no Buddhist position on the big bang theory. Buddhists generally see pondering unanswerable questions as pointless as they do not advance the individuals progress towards enlightenment. On the other hand BUddhist can be seen as endorsing the modern theory of a Multiverse by the belief that there are other equally real worlds and universe where rebirth can occur.
There is a significant body of work that expresses a Buddhist view on cosomology including the origins of the universe in which we now exists. The duration of the universe is expressed in Buddhist texts and the mechanism by which a universe ends and a new one begins is taught in many Buddhist traditions. There are several Buddhist masters who do refer to the 'big bang' theory and how it relates to their understanding of Dharma and impermanence.
How is the community of monks supported?
Monasteries or temples (communities of monks) usually are supported by donations, contributions, and/or begging.
What are the different rooms of a mandir called?
Racks for shoes (sometimes manned in larger temples)
- The fragrance of incense
- Main hall (temple room)
- Bell to ring upon entry - to announce one's arrival to the deity
- Pictures/posters of saints, deities, and associated stories
- Hindu symbols
- Musical instruments - including drums, cymbals, harmonium
- Sacred books - for reading and giving lectures
- Main shrine (at the front); often many smaller shrines, usually to the sides
- Donation box before the shrine
- Murtis within the shrine areas
- Charanamrita (holy water in a bowl near the altar)
- Prasada, sacred food, handed to worshippers at the altar, or as they leave
- Priest or priests
- Kitchen and dining area
- Auditorium for music, drama, dance, and other cultural performances
- Shop selling religious artifacts, books, and other religious souvenirs.
- The temple administrative office
