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Buddhist F.A.Q. What is Buddhism? * There are 300 million Buddhist around the world today.  The word comes from 'budhi', 'to awaken'. It has its origins about 2,500 years ago when in India Siddhartha Gotama, known as the Buddha, was himself awakened (enlightened) at the age of 35. Is Buddhism a Religion?   To many, Buddhism goes beyond religion and is more of a philosophy or 'way of life'. It is a philosophy because philosophy 'means love of wisdom' and the Buddhist path can be summed up as: 1.to lead a moral or ethical life, 2.to be mindful and aware of thoughts and actions, and 3.to develop wisdom, understanding, and compassion. How Can Buddhism Help Me? Buddhism explains a purpose to life, it explains apparent injustice and inequality around the world, and it provides a code of practice or way of life that leads to ending suffering. Why is Buddhism Becoming Popular? Buddhism is becoming popular in western countries for a number of reasons, The first good reason is Buddhism has answers to many of the problems in modern materialistic societies. It also includes (for those who are interested) a deep understanding of the human mind which prominent psychologists around the world are now discovering to be both very advanced and effective. Who Was the Buddha? Siddhartha Gautama was born into a royal family in Lumbini, now located in Nepal, in 563 BC. At 29, he realized that wealth and luxury did not guarantee happiness, so he explored the different teachings religions and philosophies of the day, to find the key to human happiness. After six years of study and meditation he finally found what He later identified as 'the middle path' and was enlightened (awakened). After enlightenment, the Buddha spent the rest of his life teaching the principles of Buddhism — called the Dhamma — until his death at the age of 80. Was the Buddha a God? He was not, nor did he claim to be. He was a man, a human being, who taught a path to enlightenment from his own experience. Do Buddhists Worship Idols? Buddhists sometimes pay respect to images of the Buddha, but do not worship or pray to Buddha or Buddhist statues. A statue of the Buddha with hands rested gently in its lap and a compassionate smile reminds us to develop peace and love within ourselves. Bowing to the statue is an expression of gratitude for the teaching. Are There Different Types of Buddhism? There are many different types of Buddhism, because the emphasis changes from country to country due to customs and culture. What does not vary is the essence of the teaching — the Dhamma. Are Other Religions Wrong? Buddhism is inclusive of all other beliefs or religions. Buddhism agrees with the moral teachings of other religions but Buddhism goes further by providing a long term purpose within our existence, through wisdom and true understanding. Real Buddhism is very tolerant and not concerned with labels like 'Christian', 'Moslem', 'Hindu' or 'Buddhist'; that is why there have never been any wars fought in the name of Buddhism. That is why Buddhists do not preach and try to convert, only explain if an explanation is sought.   Is Buddhism Scientific? Science is knowledge which can be made into a system, which depends upon seeing and testing facts and stating general natural laws. The core of Buddhism fits into this definition, because the Four Noble truths (see below) can be tested and proven by anyone in fact the Buddha himself asked his followers to test the teaching rather than accept his word as true. Buddhism depends more on understanding than faith. As well, the practices of Buddhist mental training are being scientifically validated.   What did the Buddha Teach?   The Buddha taught many things, but the basic concepts in Buddhism can be summed up by the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. What is the First Noble Truth? The first truth is that life is suffering i.e., life includes pain, getting old, disease, and ultimately death, all which is unavoidable. We also experience psychological suffering like loneliness, frustration, fear, stress, low self-esteem, disappointment and anger (mental anguish). This is an irrefutable fact that cannot be denied. The good news is that Buddhism teaches a solution for mental anguish.   What is the Second Noble Truth? The second truth is that suffering is caused by craving and aversion. We crave and strive to avert painful life experience because of ignorance.  We are ignorant of our true nature and the nature of life.  We suffer when we expect other people to conform to our expectations, if others fail to like us, if we do not get something we want. In other words, getting what you want does not guarantee happiness. Rather than constantly struggling to get what you want, try to modify your wanting. Always wanting more, or better, or different deprives us of contentment and happiness.  So craving leads to mental suffering which leads to physical suffering. What is the Third Noble Truth? The third truth is that suffering can be overcome and happiness can be attained; that true happiness and contentment are possible. lf we give up useless craving and learn to live each day at a time (not dwelling in the past or the imagined future) then we can become happy and free. We then have more time and energy to help others. This is Nirvana. What is the Fourth Noble Truth? The fourth truth is that the Noble Eight-Fold Path is the path which leads to the end of suffering. What is the Noble Eight-Fold Noble Path? In summary, the Noble Eight-Fold Path is being moral (through what we say and what we do including our livelihood), focusing the mind on being fully aware of our thoughts and actions, and developing wisdom by understanding the Four Noble Truths and by developing compassion for others. What are the Five Precepts? The moral code within Buddhism is the precepts, of which the main five are: not to intentionally or maliciously take the life of anything living, not to take anything not freely given, to abstain from sexual misconduct and sensual overindulgence, to refrain from untrue speech, and to avoid intoxication, that is, losing mindfulness. What is Wisdom? Buddhism teaches that wisdom should be developed with compassion. At one extreme, you could be a goodhearted fool and at the other extreme, you could attain knowledge without any emotion.  Buddhism uses the middle path to develop both. The highest wisdom is seeing that in reality, all phenomena are impermanent and do not constitute a fixed entity.  True wisdom is not simply believing what we are told but instead experiencing and understanding truth and reality. Wisdom requires an open, objective, unbiased mind. The Buddhist path requires courage, patience, flexibility and intelligence. What is Compassion? Compassion includes qualities of sharing, readiness to give comfort, empathy, sympathy, concern, caring. In Buddhism, we can really understand others, when we can really understand ourselves, through wisdom. What is Zen-Buddhism? Often Zen and Buddhism are considered to be one of five world religions, however neither the Buddha or the teachers of Zen and Buddhism ever offered dogma, commandments, or doctrinal belief systems required to be a Buddhist or practice Zen.  It is for this reason that hundreds of people from various faith-based religions and traditions, have enjoyed participating at Pine Wind Zen Center, and Zen centers throughout the world for decades. "Real Zen is the practice of coming back to the actual right-now-in-this-moment self, coming back to the naturalness, the intimacy and simplicity of our true nature.  Zen practice is not about getting away from our life as it is; it is about getting into our life as it is, with all of its vividness, beauty, hardship, joy and sorrow.  Zen is a path of awakening: awakening to who we really are, and awakening the aspiration to serve others and take responsibility for all of life." "Zen is a way of living your life, in a particular way, with a particular concentration of mind, a tranquil and simplicity of mind, that generates the experience of enlightenment and, through that experience, true and sustainable happiness. Living one's life with all victorious mastery." What is Zen Practice? At the heart of Zen practice is zazen, seated meditation.  Zen-meditation is really a very simple practice and does not involve complicated instructions.  Sit in the proper posture and attend to the body, breath, and mind.  What follows is learning how to live our lives skillfully, intimately, and with compassion and loving-kindness. What are the Precepts? Because all of this practice leads to our realization of our interdependence and interrelatedness with all beings, Zen-Buddhist also take up the practice of the Bodhisattva Precepts.  These precepts are not commandments or a system of beliefs; rather, they are guiding principles for living a life of freedom and service. What is Community? Zen is not a solitary practice.  Zen is a relational path.  As we chant at the end of our liturgy - “May we realize the Buddha Way so that our life may be a benefit to all the many beings.”  Sitting with others, studying with others, working with others, talking with others—all these are integral to the life of Zen.  Zen Master Dogen wrote:  "The dharma is amply present in every person, but without practice, it is not manifested; without realization, it is not attained." "Community is the spirit, the guiding light, whereby people come together to fulfill a purpose, to help others fulfill their purpose, and to take care of one another." Relationships with other like-minded men and women in the stream of practice is an essential part of Zen-Buddhism. How do I Become a Zen-Buddhist? Buddhist teachings can be understood and tested by anyone. Buddhism teaches that the solutions to our problems are within ourselves not outside. The Buddha asked all his followers not to take his word as true, but rather to test the teachings for themselves. Each person decides for themselves and takes responsibility for their own actions and understanding. This makes Buddhism less of a fixed package of beliefs which is to be accepted in its entirety, and more of a teaching which each person learns and uses in their own way. Anyone of any religious affiliation who promotes the principals of compassion, loving-kindness, and responsibility is welcome to become a Zen-Buddhist.  Becoming a Zen-Buddhist does not suddenly exclude or diminish one's lifetime personal beliefs in God, Jesus, Torah, etc.  You may even find that Zen-Buddhism enhances your experience in any of these faith-based traditions. * Some of this material has been adapted from Buddhanet and Wikipedia   The Zen Society 2004 © All rights reserved	What's Happening Monthly Calendar Community Our Teacher Sangha News Spiritual Counseling Wednesday Evening  Zen Chat Zen-Buddhist Teachings Zen-Buddhist F.A.Q Zen Practice Being at Pine Wind Essential Conduct Zendo Etiquette Ceremonies Weddings Funerals Memorials Blessings SeijakuRoshi.org Roshi's Writings Buddhist Declaration on Climate Change "I am your friend and my love for you goes deep. There is nothing I can give you which you have not got, but there is much, very much, that, while I cannot give it, you can take…" Pine Wind Zen Center Jizo-an Monastery 863 McKendimen Rd. Shamong, NJ  08088 609.268.9151