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Need help with some questions :)
jmann314
New
Hi,
I need someone to help me with an interview I have to conduct for school with a Buddhist. I don't know any Buddhist's personally so I was thinking someone here could answer my questions?
The questions are as follows (answers of about 2/3 sentences would be greatly appreciated);
1. What do you believe about your God(s)?
2. What do you think are the most important characteristics of religion (religion in general, not just Buddhism)?
3. In what ways does religion provide meaning and purpose for you?
4. Do you see religious action or practice as an important aspect of being religious?
5. Please name the religious practices you engage in?
6. What encourages your faith? What gives you faith?
7. Do you use any objects (like Christians use the bible) when you pray?
8. How do you think Buddhism influences you lifestyle? (in terms of ethical choices).
9. Which (if any) sacred texts/scriptures are related to Buddhism?
10. Where did you learn the importance of religion (in general)?
<O:p
If any of the above questions are too personal then just don’t answer them.
Thank you to anyone who can help.
I need someone to help me with an interview I have to conduct for school with a Buddhist. I don't know any Buddhist's personally so I was thinking someone here could answer my questions?
The questions are as follows (answers of about 2/3 sentences would be greatly appreciated);
1. What do you believe about your God(s)?
2. What do you think are the most important characteristics of religion (religion in general, not just Buddhism)?
3. In what ways does religion provide meaning and purpose for you?
4. Do you see religious action or practice as an important aspect of being religious?
5. Please name the religious practices you engage in?
6. What encourages your faith? What gives you faith?
7. Do you use any objects (like Christians use the bible) when you pray?
8. How do you think Buddhism influences you lifestyle? (in terms of ethical choices).
9. Which (if any) sacred texts/scriptures are related to Buddhism?
10. Where did you learn the importance of religion (in general)?
<O:p
If any of the above questions are too personal then just don’t answer them.
Thank you to anyone who can help.
0
Comments
1. What do you believe about your God(s)?
There are none.
2. What do you think are the most important characteristics of religion (religion in general, not just Buddhism)?
Faith dominating reason.
3. In what ways does religion provide meaning and purpose for you?
None.
4. Do you see religious action or practice as an important aspect of being religious?
Yes.
5. Please name the religious practices you engage in?
None
6. What encourages your faith? What gives you faith?
Reason and evidence.
7. Do you use any objects (like Christians use the bible) when you pray?
No
8. How do you think Buddhism influences you lifestyle? (in terms of ethical choices).
Absolutly.
9. Which (if any) sacred texts/scriptures are related to Buddhism?
The Suttras. I don't consider them sacred, but variously profound, beautiful, confusing and dubious.
10. Where did you learn the importance of religion (in general)?
I dont think it is important, I thinks its importance is forced down upon us by the masculine hegemonies of the world and history.
Have fun!
Mat
I do not believe in God.
2. What do you think are the most important characteristics of religion (religion in general, not just Buddhism)?
3. In what ways does religion provide meaning and purpose for you?
Buddhism keeps mindful throughout my day, and by concentrating on the precepts and the Noble Eightfold Path, i feel it helps me lead a happier life.
4. Do you see religious action or practice as an important aspect of being religious?
Yes, meditation for me is, although not essential and it is quite difficult, is very important part of practising. Also in Buddhism every thing you do is part of your practice so it is very important.
5. Please name the religious practices you engage in?
Meditation and everyday life
6. What encourages your faith? What gives you faith?
Logic, reason and experience. By using the teachings of the Buddha in my everyday life you can see the positive effects, this strengthens my faith.
7. Do you use any objects (like Christians use the bible) when you pray?
Not really, i also do not really pray, it is more of an affirmation in the mind. For example if i feel weak i would focus on an image of strength in my mind and focus on the skilfulness of being strong, which from experience has given me strength.
8. How do you think Buddhism influences you lifestyle? (in terms of ethical choices).
Very much so, a lot of the time, for me personally, you think about every action you do in turns of its consequences and your motivation. I analyse my actions a lot more which helps me to make more ethically sound decisions.
9. Which (if any) sacred texts/scriptures are related to Buddhism?
The Tripitaka, the 'three baskets' or groups of suttas, teachings given by the Buddha or his close disciples.
10. Where did you learn the importance of religion (in general)?
I felt i was missing something in my daily life (cliche sorry
Hope this helps.
Jackus
1. What do you believe about your God(s)?
Buddhism has no Gods, in the sense that, we do not worship any gods or diety. We follow the Buddha, who was an enlightened man, not a god. The path of Buddhism is to become a Buddha ourselves. The name "Buddha" means "one who is awake".
2. What do you think are the most important characteristics of religion (religion in general, not just Buddhism)?
Loving kindness (metta), compassion (karuna) & charity (dana). These are traits found in many religions but rarely practiced enough in my honest opinion. This is why practice is very important in Buddhism and emphasized a lot. Meditation is also very important, but I don't think these things are only practiced in religions. Many people practice these things without having any religious affiliation.
3. In what ways does religion provide meaning and purpose for you?
Hmm, meaning and purpose. I'm not sure what you are asking here. Care to clarify?
4. Do you see religious action or practice as an important aspect of being religious?
Yes totally. Far too many religious people preach but don't practice. I think this is one of the many reasons why so many religions have fallen out of favour in the general public.
5. Please name the religious practices you engage in?
Meditation, prayer, chanting sutras, mantras. I am part of the tendai tradition. Here is a link to the practices I engage in; http://www.tendai.org/index.php?id=45
6. What encourages your faith? What gives you faith?
Buddhism is a practice, and like all practices, there are beneficial outcomes. The Buddha told us to test our path, see if it works. Over the years, as I have practiced, there have been many benefits. Because of this my faith in Buddhism has grown.
Buddhism has made me a better person and other people have noticed.
7. Do you use any objects (like Christians use the bible) when you pray?
I use Tendai litergy, some of which comes directly from the sutras, which are the buddhist equivalent of the bible, however, we do not view sutras as gospel, but rather teachings to learn from.
8. How do you think Buddhism influences you lifestyle? (in terms of ethical choices).
I am more aware of the suffering of animals, insects and people and so have changed my attitude to other people, changed my diet and shopping habbits (avoiding buying leather). I do my best to help other people and try not to loose my temper. But, of course, we are all human and make mistakes from time to time.
9. Which (if any) sacred texts/scriptures are related to Buddhism?
There a many religious scriptures and texts in Buddhism, much more so that in christianity. The Pali Canon has over 10,000 texts alone. Different schools of Buddhism have different texts. There are the suttas (Pali canon), sutras (mayahana canon) then there are also the vinaya (monastic codes) the commentaries as well as vajrayana texts.
10. Where did you learn the importance of religion (in general)?
I'm not sure what you mean by the "importance" of religion. Many aspects of religion are important, yes (see question 2) but I don't think these are limited to religion and certainly many non-religious people practice these things and are good people.
<O:p
Hope that helps,
Nios.
Ummmm... like why do you think religion is important and why you spend time doing/practicing it?
I'm not sure if "religion" is important, but the practice certainly is. The practice that I get from Buddhism has a great positive impact on my life and those around me, and for that reason I continue to practice.
Nios.
Buddhists do not believe in a creator God. Some buddhist traditions have meditational deities--visual representations of qualities that we aim to bring forth in our daily lives. Meditational deities are not Gods.
2. What do you think is the most important characteristics of religion in general?
Bringing forth positive qualities and eliminating or lessening negative ones.
3. In what ways does religion provide meaning for you?
It offers profound methods that open the heart and clear the mind.
4. Do you see religious action or practice as an important aspect of being religious?
There is a structure to my meditation practice that includes prayers of aspiration, setting motivation and dedicating merit.
5. Please name the religous practices you engage in.
Prayer, contemplation, meditation, ritual and chanting. There is a whole lot more to it than that.
6. What encourages or gives you faith?
Seeing the heart and mind open and positive qualities develop from the practice. Seeing examples of people who are worthy of following who have love, compassion, joy and equanimity.
7. Do you use any objects like Christians use the bible?
Yes. I study texts and use them for contemplation and meditation. My daily practice often has a form to it when I do sadhana practice. There are musical instruments that I use in my practice.
8. How does Buddhism influence your lifestyle in terms of ethical choices?
I follow conduct precepts--like not killing, aiming to be harmless and helpful to others.
9. Which, if any texts, scriptures are related to Buddhism?
The Buddha taught 84,000 different methods according to the minds of his disciples. They literally are too numerous to know and list.
10. Where did you learn the importance of religion in general?
As a young child I was taught in Catholic Church and school.
I would think that gods would be beings who would want to help me.
2. What do you think are the most important characteristics of religion (religion in general, not just Buddhism)?
Supports someone to be a good person and to be happy
3. In what ways does religion provide meaning and purpose for you?
It provides a practical teaching to meat my already existing goals (see number 2)
4. Do you see religious action or practice as an important aspect of being religious?
yes
5. Please name the religious practices you engage in?
meditation, study, clarifying wishes, daily awareness, morality, reflection, sending and taking (tonglen), mind training (lojong)
6. What encourages your faith? What gives you faith?
Seeing the teachings actually work (see 2).
7. Do you use any objects (like Christians use the bible) when you pray?
I don't personally pray
8. How do you think Buddhism influences you lifestyle? (in terms of ethical choices).
It convinces me that to do the right thing will bring a good result
9. Which (if any) sacred texts/scriptures are related to Buddhism?
many
10. Where did you learn the importance of religion (in general)?
personal experience working with buddhist teachings on my own and others suffering