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What are the basic teachings of Buddha?The Buddha's teaching contains three major aspects: discipline (morality), concentration, and wisdom. Wisdom is the goal, and concentration is the crucial process towards achieving this goal. Discipline through observing precepts is one method that helps one to achieve deep concentration; then wisdom will be realized naturally. All sentient beings possess this innate wisdo...
What are the Four Noble Truths?To cleanse ignorance which is the source of all suffering, one must understand the Four Noble Truths: The Truth of Suffering -- Life is subject to all kinds of suffering, the most basic being birth, aging, disease, and death. No one is exempt from these stages of existence. The Cause of Suffering -- Suffering is caused by ignorance that results in desire and craving. It is...
What is the Noble Eightfold Path?Right understanding -- Have the knowledge of the Four Noble Truths so that one can understand things as they really are. Right livelihood -- Avoid any occupation that causes harm to others such as butchering or selling intoxicants like alcohol or drugs. Right effort -- Have self-discipline to attain full control of the mind in order to develop a clear mental state, thus av...
What or where is Nirvana? Is there any proof that such a dimension exists?Nirvana is a supra-mundane state realized by Buddhas and Arahats, a state of liberation through full enlightenment. It is not something to be described in mundane terms or understood by mundane knowledge, but is realized only by intuitive wisdom. Nirvana also means the destruction of lust, hatred, and ignorance, erasing egoism and discovering deliverance from suffering. Th...
How is one's lifestyle affected by living the Noble Eightfold Path?The Noble Eightfold Path embraces the three major teachings of the Buddha: discipline (morality), deep concentration, and wisdom. Discipline through observing precepts is the method that helps to achieve deep concentration; wisdom will then be realized naturally. Discipline refers to following not only the Buddha's teaching, but also customs, rules, and laws wherever we ar...
If our lives are determined by our karma, can we change it?Yes, we can change our karma. Karma results from the seeds of good and evil deeds stored in the alaya-vijnana and will be manifested when the right conditions arise. Some seeds ripen in this life, some in the next life and some in future lives. Evil seeds that have already been planted will inevitably give rise to evil fruits, or results. They will not be cancelled out by ...
Is there any proof that we will be reborn when we die? Isn't talk about rebirth superstitious?Rebirth is not a superstition. It is the truth of life as expounded by the Buddha with his ultimate wisdom. Anything that is the truth will always remain the truth regardless of whether you believe it or not. The earth will still be round even if you don't believe it. There are already many well-documented cases of rebirth that will dispel any remaining doubts regarding th...
What is the Buddhist belief regarding death and after life?According to Buddhism, the death of any living being is inherent in its nature. Death is a natural function of the ongoing process of life. Just as a birth leads inevitably to death, so a death leads inevitably to a birth. Death is metaphorically understood as abandoning an old house (the body) and moving to a new house. After-life refers to the state of being reborn.
Do Buddhists believe in a resurrection of the body after death?Buddhists do not believe in a resurrection of the body after death. In Buddhism, death does not mean the mere cessation of breathing or the stopping of the heart beat. For the dying person, consciousness is still "being." When all types of consciousness leave the body, this is the actual time of death.
Where do beings come from and where are they going?The Buddha stated, "--- a first beginning of beings who, if obstructed by ignorance and fettered by craving, is not to be perceived." According to Buddhism, people are born from the matrix of action. Parents merely provide new existence with a material layer. At the moment of conception, it is karma that conditions the initial consciousness that vitalizes the fetus. It is ...
What are the beliefs on the causes of evil, suffering and sin?The fundamental causes inherent in life which give rise to evil and suffering are the three poisons of greed, anger, and ignorance. The three poisons are regarded as the source of all delusions and worldly desires. They are so called because they pollute people's lives. Greed is an improper desire for something and the longing for more and more of it. It can also mean avar...
What is the concept of forgiveness of sin?In Buddhism, there is no such concept as forgiveness of sin. Everything good or evil is created by ourselves, not arranged or bestowed by God. When Buddhists break their precepts or commit faults, they are not to seek forgiveness of sin from a higher authority such as a God or a priest. Rather, they repent and review why they broke the precepts or committed the wrongdoing....
What do the terms compassion and wisdom mean in Buddhism?Compassion and wisdom are greatly emphasized in Buddhism. These two form the outstanding Mahayana virtues. Compassion is unconditional love, kindness, and active sympathy. It extends itself without distinction to all sentient beings since it is based on the enlightened experience of the oneness of all beings. It is sympathy for people who suffer, and the will to end their ...
What is the Buddhist view on the nature of being human?The Buddha said that all people have a Buddha nature, sometimes referred to as our "true self" or our "original nature." However, prior to attaining enlightenment, this true nature is covered by deluded thoughts, attachment, and thoughts of discrimination. Since all Buddhas attain Buddhahood through the human realm, there are some favorable conditions of being human that a...
What is the purpose of human life?Buddhism points out that the duration of our life span is very short and we should work vigilantly for our salvation. In fact, it is extremely difficult to be born in the human realm (as opposed to the lower realms of hell, hungry ghosts, and animals). Sakyamuni Buddha compared being reborn as a human being to the likelihood that a blind turtle, surfacing from the depths o...
How would you describe eternal destiny?In Mahayana Buddhism, the eternal destiny is to attain Buddhahood or to attain the Buddhist wisdom. In Sanskrit, the Buddhist wisdom is called "Annutara-samyak-sambhodi" which means ultimate wisdom. The Buddha taught us that the main objective of our practice is to achieve this ultimate wisdom and that everyone has the potential to do so as it is an intrinsic part of our n...
How do people attain salvation or eternal happiness?In Buddhism, eternal happiness is the state of Nirvana. The way to Nirvana is the Middle Path which avoids the two extremes of self-mortification that weakens the intellect and self-indulgence that hinders moral progress. This Middle Path consists of the Noble Eightfold Path of right understanding, right thoughts, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort,...
Why are there many different types of Buddhism?Buddhism originated in India more than 2,500 years ago. In the process of its vast expansion, Buddhism itself underwent profound changes; the further it journeyed, both in space and time, the deeper the remolding it experienced in ideas and in emphasis. Some of these changes were due to variations in the national temperament of the people among whom it spread, for Buddhism... |
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Vancouver International Buddhist Progress Society