- is the day when Siddhata Gautama was borned, has attained enlightenment and died. These events occured in the same day.
- Buddhism is not a religion as most people interpret it, since it does not preaches god(s) and sets rules for its devotees to follow. It is not much of philosophy or ideology either. According to sangha (monks) and most practitioner, Buddhism is a way of life. The common goal for Buddhists is to be liberated from all forms of sufferings, physical ailments and reincarnation, and wisdom via attaining enlightenment.
- Many mistaken the Buddha as a god/deity. Buddha is also been mistaken as the maker of universe or God for us Buddhist. In actual fact, he is a man who cannot create miracle or procure magic.
- Enlightenment/Nirvana, as of my interpretation and as most Buddhist believe, is where a human attained a state where he/she is able to seek truths; is free of any desires, negativity and cannot be moved by any temptations; no longer be bound by reincarnation and physical ailments; and is very wise.
Buddha has the ability to help people who have trouble with their lives and lead them, like a teacher teaching students in their studies. He serves as more or less a spiritual psychotherapist too. - There are 3 main branch of Buddhism: Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana; alongside Zen, Pure Land sect etc..
The main branches existing in Malaysia are Mahayana, where most of the devotees are Chinese and its teachings here blends together with Pure Land sect; Theravada, where its monks are mostly from Nepal, Sri Lanka or India. Theravada is said to be the closest to the oldest teachings.
- Buddhism encourages open-mindedness and logic thinking. Unlike what most TV shows portrait it as a strict, ultra-conservative religion. Hence, there are no strict rules for its devotees, only advice/restrains like the restraints: no killings, alcohols, lies, immoral sexual behavior. Only sangha need to follow the restrain strictly.
Still, like I just said, Buddhism promotes logical and critical thinking. Eg. A monk saw a man running towards him with blood all over his body and hid beneath the bushes behind this monk. He pleads the monk to help him. Then come a man with a weapon who is finding for that hiding man. The weapon wielding man asks the monk about the hiding man's whereabouts. Since monks are not allowed to lie, aren't he supposed to tell the truth but at the same time will cost the innocent man's life?
Well in this case, it is not an offense for the monk to tell lie. This is where I like to clear the stereotypes of Buddhist monks as straight-thinking persons.
We do not believe in unforgivable sins and permanent residency in hell.
We also accept any social views as long as it does not psychologically harm the society and causes great sufferings. - Buddhism ponders life, not creationism.
- When Buddhism is just established, there are no written word yet in Northen India. The Dharma (Buddha's teaching) is passed down verbally until words are created. There are also not much restrictions in Buddhism, devotees are free to interpret what they believe and not to follow blindly. Sadly, most Buddhists are rather superstitious and accept blindly what is taught to them. Different branches have different approaches and believes, where some like in Thailand and certain sects that blended with other believes like Pure Land are more religion-like, which leads to misinterpretations from others. This scene is can be seen in shows like 西游记.
- Most people thinks that Buddhism is pessimistic. We are serious when in our elements to Buddhism because we are open to the world, we not only study the Dharma but the world, more or less like General Studies. Hence we seem to be more sobre, but underneath that mantra siting and meditation are thankfulness, understanding and calmness. We are only not as optimistic/active as others.
- FYI, the term 'Buddha' is known as The Awakened One.
Thanks to Bhante Kovida, Mr. Oh Kim Leng and my uncle for leading me.
