| What exactly is Buddhism? A religion? A philosophy? | | | | Buddhism, there are many planes of existence, |
| Actually, Buddhism is a religion, but then again, it really | | | | thirty-one to be exact. They range from temporary |
| isn't! Is Buddhism a philosophy? Yes and no! | | | | hell realms, to heaven realms, to realms of subtle |
| Philosophically, the Buddha explained what we are | | | | bodies called devas, all the way up to Brahma realms |
| faced with as human beings - we suffer, (eventually | | | | where even Brahma Gods are still subject to |
| growing old, becoming diseased and dying in addition | | | | eventual demise and return to the human realm |
| to all of life's other foibles) He further explains that | | | | someday (although it could be nine- million earth years |
| there is a clear reason for this suffering - that we | | | | before they return). The interesting thing about the |
| can end the suffering - and how we can end the | | | | Brahma gods, according to Buddhism, is that they are |
| suffering. The Buddha also pointed out, very logically, | | | | still so deluded that they believe that they created |
| the workings of the universe as a cause and effect, | | | | the universe! Therefore, the increase of the world |
| and how karma fits into the entire picture. | | | | population is a result of all these other realms |
| In contrast to most philosophies that rely on the | | | | depositing their occupants on the earth or other |
| power of reason and theory, Buddhists use direct | | | | planets. It's a big universe! |
| experience instead. True understanding and insight | | | | Another good question is, "If there is no personality |
| are results of perfecting certain skills, such as | | | | that is reborn, who is it that becomes enlightened |
| meditation, mindfulness, and investigation of body and | | | | and reaches Nibbana?" We can speculate that the |
| mind, with little speculation; only direct experience is | | | | "self" or personality that we think is real, is only a |
| involved. | | | | fabrication of thought (this can be confirmed by |
| Because there is that which cannot be explained in | | | | meditation), and when Nibbana is reached, that which |
| Buddhism (the Buddha called it Nibbana), Buddhism is | | | | never existed in the first place no longer exists now. |
| narrowly defined as a religion. Nibbana is beyond what | | | | The difference is that now we know it. Who knows |
| we can experience within existence, therefore it is | | | | it? Only mind, and mind is merely the present |
| called ineffable - not explainable - and is the ultimate | | | | emanation of that transcendent reality that Buddhism |
| goal. This transcendent quality of Nibbana is what | | | | hints at, called Nibbana - the undying, the unformed, |
| characterizes Buddhism as a religion. | | | | the unborn, the unchanging. This is the Reality that |
| However, Buddhism, unlike other most mainstream | | | | we cannot know directly; the pure awareness called |
| religions, does not believe in a creator God. Buddhism | | | | by such things as; the void, emptiness, sunyata. It's |
| does not believe in a soul, either, or anything that | | | | this pure awareness that creates consciousness |
| accumulates goodness or evil as it travels through | | | | through our mind and sense organs so that we can |
| time. Therefore, Buddhism is not religious in the broad | | | | exist, but this awareness is not part of existence per |
| sense of the term. A Buddhist relies only on his or | | | | se, it is reality. So, we cannot know it directly |
| her own efforts for their salvation; there are no | | | | because we are caught within existence, and |
| saviors to rescue them. This encourages Buddhists to | | | | therefore we are not real. And Reality, conversely, |
| be very responsible for their own actions, and they | | | | does not exist. |
| will typically pay close attention to how their actions | | | | Finally, people are increasingly asking what they have |
| affect others, hopefully positively. | | | | to do to become a Buddhist. It's easy -no baptism, |
| Buddhists believe in rebirth, which is different from | | | | no vows, nothing like that, only a commitment to find |
| reincarnation. The easiest way to understand the | | | | the truth within yourself. It is between you, . . . and |
| difference between rebirth and reincarnation is within | | | | you. You are your own teacher. The Buddhist |
| the context of personality. When a Buddhist is | | | | precepts are helpful, the Buddhist teachings are |
| reborn, the person does not follow along, but when a | | | | helpful, Buddhist groups and monasteries are helpful, |
| "person" is reincarnated, it's as if that person's | | | | but they are all only suggestions for you to work |
| personality is reincarnated. So, what is reborn in | | | | with yourself. You are the one who must do it; no |
| Buddhism? Only karma, or the actions of the last | | | | one will do it for you. There are no sins or damnation |
| body. Actions (Karma) are impersonal, and this | | | | in Buddhism, only karma, which is a universal truth, |
| tendency of the old actions is what the new body | | | | and not only a Buddhist truth. You will be responsible |
| takes on. If the old person was angry, the new | | | | for your actions. |
| "person" will probably have angry tendencies as well. | | | | There are many other questions that people ask |
| But the new person will not be "Bob" reincarnated. | | | | about Buddhism; it is a very interesting subject. Feel |
| This brings up metaphysical questions, such as; "If | | | | free to email Janet and myself with any questions |
| the world only relies on people being reborn for its | | | | you may have. Our email address is on our websites |
| repopulation, how does the population of the earth | | | | below. |
| increase? Where do the extras come from?" In | | | | |