Society, salvation and the path

Question : (Unedited)
Hi! One of my assignments this week in my Virtual High School course
(Eastern
and Western Thought) is to interview an expert with three questions
regarding
the subject of Buddhism. Obviously, I chose you as my expert! If possible, I
would appreciate a reply by Saturday, October 6th. Thank you so much for
your
time and availability!
Questions:
1) Present-day society is consumed and dominating by rapid, changing,
and powerful forces such as technological innovation, industrialization, and
urbanization. Even if one is able to meditate daily in quiet and peace, how
does one effectively maintain this calm, reflective mindset and effectively
apply it to interactions in the frenzied day-to-day world?
2) The following question is a theoretical query regarding karma,
reincarnation, and nirvana. 　Is it theoretically possible for someone to never
truly realize and overcome all accumulated karma? Can certain individuals
possess so much delusion, greed, and aversion that they never achieve
release from the retributive cycle of reincarnation, or do all people inevitably
enter the stream toward Nirvana despite their varying degrees of
imperfection?
3) Out of the eight guides of the Noble Eightfold Path (Right View, Right
Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right
Mindfulness, Right Concentration), which do you think is the most vital and
practical towards achieving ultimate Nirvana in present-day society? Why?


My comment:Hi K,

Thank you for asking me.

1) Very difficult. 　For an average person (including me) it is very difficult to maintain the mindfulness to be calm and alert in troubled situation. 　It takes great effort in training one's mind to be constantly guarded and mindful. 　Different people will experience different levels of "success". 　It depends on the intensity of meditation training and the person's inborn character. 　But the idea is to constantly practise within one's level of ability, and to progress from there through time.

2) The time frame of our existence is beyong our worldly comprehension. 　The Buddha used the term "kappa" to denote an infinite period of time...an aeon. 　Assuming a rock cube of 1 cubic mile. 　Once in every 100 years it is wiped with a cloth. 　Even when the rock is wiped out, a kappa is still not complete. 　Such is the great length of time that we mortals are not able to imagine. 　And the number of beings is also uncountable. 　There will never be an end to this cycle of birth and death. 　Since it is a cycle, some will gain release, while others will wallow in this great cycle of birth and death. 　It is just like a hospital...when will the hospital be able to cure all and close shop?

3) The eightfold path can either be viewed as a cycle, or an eight-lane highway. 　Either way, it means that the eight factors must be practised together; with varying emphasis at different times. 　
　　The Buddha started with "Right View" to explain the Path. 　Before we can do anything, we MUST have the right view or understanding of the things we wish to do. 　Take for example, driving. 　We must understand what is "driving" before we take on the wheels. 　Only with understanding, can we "think" correctly. 　When we can think correctly, we will be able to speak and act correctly. With our moral foundation laid, we can now take to life, ensuring we lead a dignified and harmless life. 　With our daily activities in good control, we can now make extra effort to improve our spiritual lives to build up our mindfulness in order to practise the eightfold path. 　With our lives in control, we then set out to purify our mind through Buddhist meditation, which will set us free from this worldly existence.

We can divide the Path into three parts. The first two is what we call "wisdom" path. 　The next three is the "morality" path. 　The last three is the "concentration or meditative" path. 　　　

As you can see, the Path has to be taken in toto. 　The eight parts cannot be seperated. They must be practised together. 　However we may say that we should start with the "morality" stage, then making effort to practise "meditation" in order to gain insight and wisdom (the wisdom stage) as to the real nature of existence.
If we insist on pin-pointing the most important factor, then as the Buddha pointed out, the first one is the most important...Right View. 　Without right view or understanding, everything collapses.

Hope this helps.

Freedom to decide

Question : (Unedited)

Im only 12 years old but i firmly believe that buddhism is the religion i have been looking for. I have confidence that the four noble truths will lead me through my life in happines. I told my parents the great news that i had become a buddhist. There reply was,"When you are 18 you may switch to whichever religion you like, but for now you are a christian." Should i stay a christian and wait for the age of 18 or follow my beliefs and freedom of religion and be a buddhist anyway?

My comment:

Hi M,

Welcome to the path of inner peace and happiness. 　You are a very special person to be interested in Buddhism despite your young age. 　You are also very lucky to have parents who will give you the freedom of choice come 18 years old. 　You should respect your parents' feelings and advice. 　That doesn't mean that you cannot practise Buddhism now. 　As you know the Buddha's teachings are very practical. 　Just follow his teachings to be good, avoid evil and be always mindful of these two values; you will be in the right path. 　I am sure your parents will agree with these universal principles. 　As far as your mind is concerned you are a Buddhist. 　No one can take away your mental decision. 　When you turn 18 you are free to declare to the world that you are now "officially" a Buddhist, and with the "blessings" of your parents. 　Who knows, your parents may be impressed by your Buddhist virtues that they may want to know what is it in Buddhism that their intelligent son can be so devoted to. 　

Best wishes to you.

Infidelity

Question : (Unedited)

My husband has cheated on me. 　I have forgiven him but i am having a hard time trusting him. 　It has put me into depression because he has told me how it has been my fault for not being a good wife for all these 20 years we have been married. 　I never knew this, because he has never once complained to me about it. 　I have gone to the doctors to be put on antidepressants. 　They don't seem to be helping me, i still feel sad about how he has betrayed me and lied to me. 　This hasn't been the first time he has done this i have found out. 　I still love him but don't know what to do next, do i divorce him and move on without him. 　we have 3 children we still need to raise and if i do divorce him it will put me in the poor house. 　Help.

My comment:

Hi D,

I only wish I can give you clear cut answers and solutions; but that would be cheating you. 　I am also not qualified to provide advice of this nature. 　Nevertheless, I shall share my opinion regarding your situation. 　Before that, let me assure you that everyone has worldly problems, including me. 　Everyone's problems seems to be the greatest compared with others. 　At times I also feel that my problems are the greatest. 　The true fact is that all our problems are stressful and some don't seem to have any solution. 　It is "very difficult to bear", so pointed out by the Buddha. 　This is the first Noble Truth of our miserable existence. 　The only consolation is to realize this universal truth of life, and try to sail through the rough waters with all the pains and agony; and hope that with our wholesome living by pratising the Buddha's teachings, life can be a little bit more sympathetic to us. 　

As for your situation, the society that you live in also plays an important part in your decision. 　Different societies have different perceptions regarding marital problems. 　Some societies are more sympathetic and supportive of separated families, while others are not. 　You have to take into serious considerations of the welfare of your children. 　A lot of Asian families still stay together despite problems like yours just because of the love and for the sake of the children. 　Please weigh your priorities and your present situation. 　Let wise judgement be the teacher. 　Do not let immediate heartache and emotional sentiment lead you to hasty and unwise decision. 　If possible, talk to your trusted friends and relatives.

May you still find peace in this turbulent world.

Justinchoo. 　

Prayer

Question : (Unedited)

hi there what day of the week to buddhist pray. i could really use your help as iam writing about this for school thanx regards

My comment:

Hi L,

Thanks for asking me.

In the context of Christian prayer, Buddhists do not pray as we do not believe that there is any higher being to be prayed to. 　Prayer usually means an act to solicit, petition, or supplicate a favour from a higher being usually "God". 　However we recite the "suttas" which are the discourses of the Buddha. 　This is what we call chanting, and after that we may make an aspiration whereby the other beings existing in other planes of existence may assist us in our worldly problems.

We do not pray to the Buddha for he is dead and gone. 　But his teachings which are more important, are here for us to live by. 　It's just like we know Faraday discovered electricity, but we don't need him around to use electricity. 　His discovery is more important than his personality. 　So is the Buddha; who advised us to practise his teachings and not to worship him.

Life is about choices

Question : (Unedited)

As I understand Buddhism, Buddhists teach respect towards all living things. Buddhists are expected to not kill or otherwise harm them.

This teaching is clear when dealing with the killing, butchering and eating of animals. My question is how far down the animal chain of complexity does this teaching go.

For example:
Is it OK to kill mosquitoes when one considers that they kill large number of humans via malaria.

Is it OK to use flea powder on one's pets when the option is allowing one's pets to suffer and perhaps die?

Is it OK to take antibiotics to cure a disease when the purpose of the antibiotics is to kill bacteria?

Regards

My comment:

The world is surrounded by good and bad things. It is the very nature of this world to be such. That was why the Buddha led us to SEE the real nature of this world. Once we realize this truth, we will gradually come to terms with this contradiction, the dichotomy of good and bad. The Buddha referred this as "Dukkha"..."very difficult to bear". 　It is always this Dukkha that we have to live and contend with. If you watch the National Geographic programme, you will see this Dukkha overpowering our lives. Every moment, when a life lives, another life has to be sacrificed. This is great Dukkha. But we are blind to this fact. We ignorantly think that we can live without others dying for us.

One very important faculty that we must utilize is our "wisdom". 　The wisdom to see the bigger picture; to realize the greater good of performing certain unwholesome acts; to come to terms with this Dukkha of the world.

If everyone refused to kill even an ant, then who is going to do the "dirty jobs", so to say. Who is going to defend the country? Who is going to keep law and order in the streets? Who is going to get rid of the pests that may affect our health? These are all very urgent and realistic questions. Those who are in this category may take consolation that they are doing it for the greater good of the society and nation. However, at the same time they could strive to lead a dignified, noble and harmless life as best they could. They still can follow and practise the teachings of the Buddha to the best of their ability.

The realities of this world and this existence are such that there are always this unsatisfactoriness and imperfections where many a time we are confronted, without much choice. As for taking life, we must also consider factors like its life-span, its usefulness, its harmfulness to others and the circumstances. 　If the life has a very short life-span, is not useful to society, and causes harm to others, then there is some consolation and mitigation if one kills it. 　However we must bear in mind that the act of killing for whatever reason is an unwholesome act. 　We have to use our wisdom, common sense and intellectual judgement to draw the line. 　It is up to the individual to set his "standard" of practice.

Here are my counter questions to your 3 questions:

"Is it OK to kill mosquitoes when one considers that they kill large number of humans via malaria?"
Is it Ok for humans to die by refusing to kill the mosquitoes?

"Is it OK to use flea powder on one's pets when the option is allowing one's pets to suffer and perhaps die?"
Is it OK to allow your pets to suffer and die by refusing to use flea powder? 　

"Is it OK to take antibiotics to cure a disease when the purpose of the antibiotics is to kill bacteria?"
Is it OK not to cure a disease by refusing to administer antibiotics? 　(Actually bacteria are merely living organisms without consciousness)

The choice is yours. 　We must also bear in mind that we can take certain precautions to ensure that these problems be minimized with proper hygiene and healthy living.

The Devil in us.

Question : (Unedited)

do buddhists believe in satin A.K.A. the devil ?

My comment:

Hi T,

No, we don't believe. 　But yes, we know the existence of the devil. 　This "devil" is not affiliated to any religion. 　This "devil" is within us. 　Whenever we are angry, hateful, greedy, vengeful, selfish, and having other evil thoughts or doing any evil deeds, we just need to stand infront of the mirror and we will see the REAL devil!!

Buddhist history

Question : (Unedited)

What are some changes Buddhism underwent from its founding and why? Difference in practice/belief from past to present.

My comment:

Hi P,

Thank you for asking me.

A little historical background of Buddhism will answer your question. During the Buddha's time, his teachings were all memorized by the learned monks and passed down as such. After a few hundred years, differences in interpretations began to appear. A lot of Brahmins from the Brahmin religion (modern day Hinduism) became Buddhists. During that time the emperor was a Buddhist. His name was King Asoka. Naturally, all would like to become Buddhists! Because of these differences, King Asoka called for a council of senior monks to confirm the authenticity of the Buddha's teachings. The council of learned monks recited and confirmed the full text of the teachings which had been handed down by verbal recitation. They referred to this confirmation as the text of the elders (senior monks). In the Pali language it is called Theravada, which is the tradition that I follow. The Brahmin group decided to have their own version and called themselves the Great Vehicle (Great Wheel), in Pali, Mahayana. They then belittled the Theravada by calling them Lesser Vehicle which in Pali is Hinayana.

The Mahayana spread towards the north-west to Afghanistan, the Silk Route to China, Korea, and Japan. While the Theravada spread to the south to Ceylon (Sri Lanka), and then up north-east to Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Being very practical teachings based on universal truths, Buddhism was able to be accepted by the different communities. They could practise Buddhism without having to change their cultures and customs. That is why we have Tibetan Buddhism, Chinese Buddhism, Japanese Buddhism, and who knows Western Buddhism!

The beauty of Buddhism is that although there are such varieties, the basic teachings of the Buddha are the same. The difference is actually in the rites and rituals, and some other minor subjects.