Hello,
My name is Denise and I am a student at the University of Phoenix; I am currently studying world religions and I am interested in learning more about your religion. Additionally, If you do not mind, may I ask you a few questions about your religion for my world religions class? If you wish not to answer my questions, I will understand; If you do not mind answering my questions, please answer the questions below:
1. Explain to me your religion and beliefs?
2. Do you believe in any other supreme being or gods, in addition to Buddha?
3. Does your religion contain any scriptures? If so, explain to me of what is contained in it?
4. Can you explain to me of where your religion originated?
5. Can you explain to me of how your religion came to be and who is its creator?
6. In your faith, what do you believe happens after death?
7. In your faith, are there consequences for your actions?
8. Do you do any specific rituals or sacred practices?
9. Do you have any special, religious holidays for your faith?
10. Explain what you do in your place of worship?
Thank you so much for your time!
Sincerely,
Denise
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Dear Denise:
I will try my best to answer your questions
Huayen Buddhist Community of Ontario is a Buddhist Organization who practices and advocates the Buddhist religion,especially the Huayen school (or branch) of Buddhism.
As Buddhist, we believe in the followings:
1. All sentient beings (human and non-human) have the potential and ability to be Buddha, the Enlightened One.
2. Every thing happens due to innumerable causes, "causation and condition" is an essential law of Nature in this Realm.
3. We are all inter-related and inter-depended. Together we are ONE. (One in Many and Many in One).
As Buddhist, we believe there are many forms of beings, being human is only one of the forms. There are many gods who exist in another realms, their abilities and potentials are different from human but not necessarily more supreme than human. Or put it in another words, we do not believe in one God, who is the Almighty.
There are too many Scriptures in Buddhism, it takes anyone more than one's life time just to read them once. The most basic types of Scriptures are categorized into Sutra, Precept & Discourse. They describes the Law of Nature, the Way to Enlightenment, and the Path to accomplish Complete Perfection.
Buddhism originated in India. After Buddha Sakyamuni, who was an Indian Prince- Gautama, became Enlightened, he showed us the way how we can be enlightened too. His teachings we call "Dharma" or Buddhism.
If you like to find out the story of Buddha, please go to wikipedia.org. There is no creator to this world, it exists due to Causation and Dependant-conditioning.
Buddhist believes in re-incarnation, there are innumerable lives before and after this life, in many forms and realms.
Buddhists believe in consequences, not one action one consequence, but innumerable actions lead to a single result and this result subsequent leads to many consequences. As said before: interrelationship and interdependence.
There are many rituals or scared practices in Buddhism, but they are not the true essence of Buddhism, one can practice Buddhism with or without rituals.
There are many religious holidays in Buddhism, the most noticeable one is the Vesak Season or Wesak Day (Buddha's Birthday)
Buddhists do not worship, we praise, respect and follow Buddha's footstep. In our place of Practice, we usually meditate, chant, recite Sutra, do repentance, do prostrations or have Dharma discourses.
1. How has Buddhism shaped your life?
Personally, Buddhism elevates my quality of life tremendously as it gives me insights to the value and meaning of life as well as the TRUTH of life.
2. What are the challenges, if any, to practicing Buddhism?
There are too many challenges,mainly:
1. to be SELFLESS
2. to understand how the mind works
3. to realize the true nature of things
4. to transform and fully utilize one's ability and potential. (which is beyond speech and thinking)
Hope these answers are of use to you.
Good luck with your study.
Yours in the Dharma
Olivia Tsang
