qns abt buddhism
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AlrightOriginally posted by tripper:Hello. I am a college student studying religion. Would any one be willing to fill out a survey about your Buddhist beliefs? If so please contact me as soon as possible at [email protected] or on MySpace under the same email ID. Thank you.
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Actually you can post your survey in this forum... I don't mind
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hello everyone...i am back wif a qn...
yesterday i was eating at a coffeeshop n i saw a monk dressed in robes eatinga bowl of fish porridge...i tot monks r vegetarians?? how come he can eat fish??? -
There are two possibilities. These monks are either:Originally posted by despondent:hello everyone...i am back wif a qn...
yesterday i was eating at a coffeeshop n i saw a monk dressed in robes eatinga bowl of fish porridge...i tot monks r vegetarians?? how come he can eat fish???
1) Vajrayana Monks -- Tibetan monks usually wearing red (and yellow) robes such as these:
(The 14th Dalai Lama)
2) They are fake monks. These types of "monks" are very common nowadays, they wear monks robes and beg for money out there. No real monks will beg for money outside.
Can you describe the kind of robes you saw?
In Buddhism, there are three traditions of Buddhism: Theravada (Thai, Sri Lanka, Burmese traditions), Mahayana (Chinese) and Vajrayana (Tibetan). Monks from the Theravada and Vajrayana traditions are allowed to eat meat, however Theravada monks only receive food by alms giving and not by buying food from coffeeshops. Mahayana monks are vegetarians due to Bodhisattva practices. Tibetan/Vajrayana monks are allowed to eat meat in their culture because Tibet is a very remote, mountainous region which is not suitable for vegetation.
Even though Buddhists whether from Theravada, Mahayana or Vajrayana traditions are allowed to eat meat, we only eat meat under 5 conditions:http://www.jenchen.org.sg/vol5no4a.htm
Under these conditions, the meat is considered 'karmically purer'... because it is not due to direct killing, no direct link with you, the karma is generally lighter. Of course vegetarianism is still recommended. However personally I am not a vegetarian yet. I am from the Mahayana tradition.
...Buddha understands the ignorance and habits of sentient beings that have accumulated from aeons of their many past lives. In order to provide sentient beings with an expedient means of embracing Buddhism, those who are not able to convert to a vegetarian diet on a long term basis are permitted to consume meat provided:
(1) That he did not slaughter the animal personally
(2) That he did not instruct others to slaughter
(3) That the slaughter was not committed for his sake
(4) That he did not witness the slaughter
(5) That he did not hear the cries associated with the slaughter... -
BTW why is it that Buddhish Statues are popular in America?Not that the owners are buddhists...its like in the garden etc etc
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Aesthetic purposes. There is a large number of Buddhists in United States as well.Originally posted by ceecookie:BTW why is it that Buddhish Statues are popular in America?Not that the owners are buddhists...its like in the garden etc etc -
i dunno wad kind of monk is he...but i noe he dun speak english n used hand gestures thru out...wad i noe is tat his robes were completely yellow...nt like the dalai lama whose robes is red n yellow...
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This kind of robes?Originally posted by despondent:i dunno wad kind of monk is he...but i noe he dun speak english n used hand gestures thru out...wad i noe is tat his robes were completely yellow...nt like the dalai lama whose robes is red n yellow...
There is a likelihood that the monk is fake. What time did you see the monk? Morning or afternoon? -
A monk is allowed to collect, receive and consume food between dawn and midday (taken to be 12 noon). He is not allowed to consume food outside of this time and he is not allowed to store food overnight. Plain water can be taken at any time without having to be offered. Although a monk lives on whatever is offered, vegetarianism is encouraged.
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Originally posted by neutral_onliner:
Thats right.. that applies for Theravada monk especially. Mahayana monks do not eat meat.. and Vajrayana monks are not restricted to the 12 noon if I am not wrong.
A monk is allowed to collect, receive and consume food between dawn and midday (taken to be 12 noon). He is not allowed to consume food outside of this time and he is not allowed to store food overnight. Plain water can be taken at any time without having to be offered. [b]Although a monk lives on whatever is offered, vegetarianism is encouraged.[/b]
Another thing is.. do these Theravada monks eat outside? I thought they receive alms in their monastery at least in Singapore? -
yes, tat kind of robes as u showed...i saw him in the afternoon...wad u mean fake??? u mean they r nt pratitioners of buddhism n r out to con ppl of money???
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Yes, they are not Buddhists, and simply wear robes to con people of their money.Originally posted by despondent:yes, tat kind of robes as u showed...i saw him in the afternoon...wad u mean fake??? u mean they r nt pratitioners of buddhism n r out to con ppl of money???
Since the so called "monk" you see is wearing Theravada robes, and you see him eating after 12, that means he is fake. Anyway logically speaking Theravada monks should eat in their monastery, not outside.. since they receive alms at their temples. (In Thailand they may receive outside, don't know) Another thing is, Theravada monks cannot buy food, they can only receive alms, food, medicine, in a begging bowl from lay Buddhists. They usually do that in their own monastery in Singapore. Also people interested in donating to these Theravada "monks" should always remember that Theravada monks are not allowed to receive money, and if people donate money to him, that means he is fake.
Fake monks are so common nowadays on the street. See my previous thread in this forum: Fake monks -
but he paid for his food so he didnt con the food seller...where did he get his robes from since he is a fake?
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Yah he didn't con the food seller, but he con people for the money which he used to buy the food.Originally posted by despondent:but he paid for his food so he didnt con the food seller...where did he get his robes from since he is a fake?
Monks Robes are easily available at a few locations in Singapore, and it is a common practise for Lay Buddhists to go to these places to buy robes as an offering to the Sangha. They cost about $10 each if I remember correctly. -
In Singapore, it's alright, though not encouraged, that a Theravada monk handle money, as unlike places like Thailand, they cannot go out for alms. Can't expect them to starve if there's no offering right?Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Thats right.. that applies for Theravada monk especially. Mahayana monks do not eat meat.. and Vajrayana monks are not restricted to the 12 noon if I am not wrong.
Another thing is.. do these Theravada monks eat outside? I thought they receive alms in their monastery at least in Singapore?
Vajrayana monks, like Mahayana monks, can have up to 3 meals a day. Of course due to the lack of food in some places, they'll only have 2 meals. But very filling breakfast and lunch (huge tibetan bread), that'll keep them from hunger. -
hello...here r some more qns...
1) buddha is hailed as a great teacher by buddhists...but is he seen as perfect? perfect in terms of one who nvr do wrong n taught perfectly? in other words, a perfect being???
2) the monks we see in shows, r they the same as real life monks??? i am referring to monks practising kung fu..r real life monks apt in martial arts??
3) in christianity, we r encouraged to attend church once a wk...is there such a 'rule' in buddhism, where believers r expected to follow??? like maybe visit a buddhist temple once a wk???
4) wif regards to the fake monks...is there any kind of judgment or punishment tat awaits ppl like them??? -
Thanks. Regarding the money part, they still cannot handle money... but their lay followers can help the monks handle the money. Or they are put in a letter or red packet or something... Not too sure.Originally posted by coolbluewater:In Singapore, it's alright, though not encouraged, that a Theravada monk handle money, as unlike places like Thailand, they cannot go out for alms. Can't expect them to starve if there's no offering right?
Vajrayana monks, like Mahayana monks, can have up to 3 meals a day. Of course due to the lack of food in some places, they'll only have 2 meals. But very filling breakfast and lunch (huge tibetan bread), that'll keep them from hunger. -
Originally posted by despondent:
A Buddha is Omniscient, has the 32 Major Marks and 80 Minor Marks (means people who just see the Buddha will be in awe of his looks) of a Buddha or Universal Monarch, and yes, he does not do anything wrong and teaches perfectly.. and he is completely enlightened.
hello...here r some more qns...
1) buddha is hailed as a great teacher by buddhists...but is he seen as perfect? perfect in terms of one who nvr do wrong n taught perfectly? in other words, a perfect being???2) the monks we see in shows, r they the same as real life monks??? i am referring to monks practising kung fu..r real life monks apt in martial arts??
Depends on whether you are watching a serial, movie, or a real documentary of the Shaolin monks.
Not all monks are apt in martial arts, but some zen monks and Shaolin monks are.3) in christianity, we r encouraged to attend church once a wk...is there such a 'rule' in buddhism, where believers r expected to follow??? like maybe visit a buddhist temple once a wk???
No such rules, we do not fix any particular dates to congregate and learn the dharma. However most monasteries and dharma centers have activities/services every week.. like Dharma Talks and other activities. To listen and learn from a dharma teacher is very important.. it would help a lot if we have a very enlightened teacher to guide us on our path to enlightenment.4) wif regards to the fake monks...is there any kind of judgment or punishment tat awaits ppl like them???
In Buddhism, karma is not judgement but a natural law. They are intentional action (karma), and these intentional action will all bear consequences in the future. But these fake monks have committed unwholesome karma and therefore they will indeed suffer bad consequences as a result. I am not sure of what kind of results, but not as bad as some people have suggested in the forum (like going to hell for a kalpa). -
Yes. Additionally I also find that Buddhist statues and images have a calming and soothing effect on me...Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Aesthetic purposes. There is a large number of Buddhists in United States as well.
Plus, Buddhist statutes are works of art in their own right, and they are plain beautiful and magnificent to behold. -
AgreedOriginally posted by Beyond Religion:Yes. Additionally I also find that Buddhist statues and images have a calming and soothing effect on me...
Plus, Buddhist statutes are works of art in their own right, and they are plain beautiful and magnificent to behold. -
hey so u mean buddha is seen as a perfect being? juz like how christians see God as perfect?
btw, since buddha is perfect, then does tat mean tat no one in the past, present n future will ever join him as a perfect being? in other words, there will be no one ever who can be exactly like buddha? -
Originally posted by despondent:
In a sense, yes.
hey so u mean buddha is seen as a perfect being? juz like how christians see God as perfect?
The difference is that Buddhists do not believe in a Creator, and do not believe anyone including the Buddha can directly interfere with someone's karma.. and neither can the Buddha grant people enlightenment, it has to be achieved through the practitioner himself through direct insight and experience of the ultimate reality, that comes from practise. The Buddha can only point the way to the moon.. we have to go there ourselves.btw, since buddha is perfect, then does tat mean tat no one in the past, present n future will ever join him as a perfect being? in other words, there will be no one ever who can be exactly like buddha?
Every single person will eventually attain Buddhahood and our Buddha Nature is already wholly complete, only that we have yet to realise it. It is like a clear bright mirror which is obscured due to a layer of dust - of mental defilements. Practising Buddhism is like using a cloth and wipe the mirror of the dust to reveal the clear shining mirror beneath... our Buddha Nature.
Shakyamuni Buddha is not the first Buddha, and neither will he be the last. The next Buddha to appear will be Maitreya Bodhisattva, who is currently still waiting, residing in Tush1ta Heaven. However even before the next Buddha, there are uncountable other enlightened beings who have lived/are living in this planet. For example during the Buddha's period alone there are thousands of Arhants. Arhats are those who realised the ultimate truth and attained Liberation from samsara and all sufferings of life and Samsara, and the cycle of rebirth, and enters the highest bliss Nirvana. Even today, there are many many enlightened people... and they are not just the Buddhist masters, dharma teachers and so on.. they are ordinary practitioners of the Buddhadharma. Even in my forum, there are also several forummers who post here who have attained enlightenment. This is something that is definitely achievable, and the aim of every Buddhist is of course to attain Enlightenment. That is why we practise Buddhism.
The difference between an Arhat and a Buddha is that an Arhat only strived for his own liberation, and therefore after attaining Arhatship he just rests in his Nirvanic bliss. A Bodhisattva practitioner (famous examples are like Guan Yin) who have awakened to the Ultimate Truth but does not simply rest in Nirvana, has great compassion and great vows to help and save other sentient beings and practise the Bodhisattva way that eventually leads to Buddhahood. This is of course a much longer and harder task than to simply attain self liberation as an Arhat, but is the way leading to perfect Buddhahood. There are many Bodhisattvas living today as well. -
ok, then how will u noe how far or near u r from enlightenment? how do u noe when u r fit to be called an arhat or bodhisattva?
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Originally posted by despondent:
on the contrary, there were countless Buddhas in the past, since we consider time/space is beginless and boundless.
hey so u mean buddha is seen as a perfect being? juz like how christians see God as perfect?
btw, since buddha is perfect, then does tat mean tat no one in the past, present n future will ever join him as a perfect being? in other words, there will be no one ever who can be exactly like buddha?
and in the future, there will also be countless beings becoming Buddhas, considering we ALL (including animals) have the potential to be Buddhas.
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When you become enlightened, you will have no doubts about the truth/reality/our true nature, that you have awakened to... as my experienced friend said "this is more Real than real". Such Insights gained through Buddhist practise will completely shatter your previous illusions and perspective of yourself and the world... and you will be in awe that reality is really quite different from our everyday consciousness and what we used to think reality is. They will describe an awakening into non-duality of subject and object, where the illusion of a separate permanent 'self' is seen as an illusion, and an all pervading infinite pure Presence/pure awareness is experienced, transcending thoughts and perception, time and space, space-like, like the vast sky, boundless, etc etc... and that Buddha Nature is ONE with all sentient being's, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas' Buddha Nature and the Dharma Nature of the entire universe.. we, all phenomena, are EQUAL in essence... like clouds, vapour, ocean, river, are all made of the same substance... water. It has One Taste... and that is our true self, who we really are, pure awareness, the clear light that illuminates everything but itself featureless, formless, and many other endless descriptions, etc. Buddhist teachings such as "Emptiness", "No Self", "Non-Duality", "Intrinsic Luminosity", "Nirvana", or even other descriptions such as "Consciousness", "Pure Awareness", "Tao", "Brahman", "Keter", "Buddha Nature", "Buddha Mind", "One Taste", "Christ Consciousness", "God", "Godhead", "Allah", "The Kingdom of Heaven Within", "Spirit", the "I AM that I AM" or our "true self that is no self", whatsoever, and all these poetic metaphors and attempts as descriptions are finally directly understood at an experiential and intuitive level, with no possibility of doubts. As a result of such insights/awakening one attains liberation, bliss, clarity which is lasting and carries on throughout one's life and forever. Therefore, an enlightened person will know he is enlightened. A Bodhisattva practitioner however does not stop at his own liberation, but vows to help other sentient beings and complete his training in the perfections of the 10 paramitas (the ten virtues) and eventually to attain perfect Buddhahood.Originally posted by despondent:ok, then how will u noe how far or near u r from enlightenment? how do u noe when u r fit to be called an arhat or bodhisattva?
I am not enlightened yet (I've only been a Buddhist for a few years... and just turned 17
)... so I can only paraphrase others' descriptions. But even before this great awakening, we can see many benefits from Buddhist practise.. including more awareness of ourselves (i.e our own thoughts and behaviors) and others (compassion, love, forgiveness, etc), more calmness, happiness, more liberated, fearless (like overcoming your fears of death), etc. Life wld be different if one practises the dharma. As I said before, "Once you have a taste of how practicing dharma results in, you will never be able to resist the path, you can't forget it, you can't discard it. There is a natural compulsion to continue practicing all the way to enlightenment."