What sort of question is this?? (Comment part 1 of 3)

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I just have to invent some answers to prove I am no fool! Here it is:

I am dumb founded. You are definitely cleverer than me by figuring out the first 4 questions. I wonder what sort of "World History" is this. If you are not making it up just to fool me, then it is really a very strange assignment. A return riddle will be the appropriate solution for the fifth:

I have eyes but not see

I have ears but not hear

I have nose but not smell

I have mouth but not eat

If I look and see

If I listen and hear

If I breathe and smell

If I swallow and eat

The place to go is to come inside me

The way is no returning

What sort of question is this?? (Qn part 1 of 3)

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This is going to be a mouthful. Some so-called student posed this non-sensical riddle. Even then, positive comments could be "invented" to satisfy him.

Read his question first: (unedited)

[Hello, I am doing a project for my World History class. We have a series of scenarios that we have to figure out. They are like riddles. This scenario refers to Buddhism and history. I was wondering if you could help me out with it.

Here is the scenario: A contemporary of the one who coined the rule of AU79, he searched for the karmic truth and tried to follow the advice given to Arjuna. He was troubled by the three faces of suffering - and so made something new.After 48 near 2683 he shared this and the absence of casts for decay is inherent in all things?. The three baskets of wisdom overcame the liar by truth? too late for 100000 at Kalinga - but not for those after. Not too late for you either. Still on 593 at 4889 figs and arrows can help you find the way.

1. What is the rule of AU79 and who coined it?

2. Who is he? and what did he make?

3. What is meant by the absence of casts(?)??

4. Why was it not too late for those after??

5.Where can you go to find the way and what is the way?

So far I have figured out the the rule is the golden rule and Confuscious coined it. Also that Buddha made the Noble Eightfold Path. The absence of castes means that there ws no simple division of society in which there are four castes arranged in a hierarchy and below them the outcast. Also, I figured out the the it was not too late for those after because King Asoka converted to Buddhism and became against violence and preached Buddha's doctorine and promised not to fight in a war again.

I am trying to figure out where you can go to find the way and what is the way (Question 5). If you could please try to figure it out and let me know I would be very appreciative. You can just email me any of your ideas at jajarvis@wcpss.net. Thanks for your time. ]

It must be World History of the Century!! What a load of rubbish! Can you turn this heap of rubbish into fertizer for the mind? Give you one day to think about it. Then we can compare notes.

Praying Aloud, Praying Allowed (Comment)

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This is my comment:

The Buddha's teachings are very straight forward. Actually during the Buddha's time there wasn't any rites and rituals. Whatever they performed were in accordance with their traditional practises. These practices were Indian (Indo-aryan)customary rituals. Nothing to do with Buddhism. The Buddha revealed the universal truths and the followers simply conduct their lives in accordance with these universal truths. Universal truths have no boundaries. They are beyond time and space and race and nationality. That is why followers can practise Buddhism without having to change their customs and traditions. That is why we have Chinese Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, Japanese Buddhism and what have you. Of course, we do have deviant cults who also called themselves Buddhists.

As Theravada Buddhists, we follow a very simple "ritual" when we pay homage to the Buddha in the form of reciting "homage" to the Buddha, and taking the "3 Refuges" and the "5 Precepts". During the Buddha's time he encouraged his monks to recite certain discourses given by him, for protection as well as for radiating vibrations of goodwill. To-day we also recite a number of his discourses called suttas, for the same purpose. When we pay homage to the Buddha we need not have to say it aloud. Our mental vibrations are good enough.

Praying Aloud, Praying Allowed. (Question)

Actually the term "praying" is not a very appropriate one in Buddhism. I would prefer "recitation" or "chanting". So, do you recite aloud or in silence? Any difference? Someone asked: (unedited)

[im fairly new to Buddhism(forgive me if my questions seem ignorant) and not knowing any Buddhists to discuss things with im glad to have found this site. firstly i have to ask about the rituals that are associated with Buddhism, im not very confortable with chanting and preying, i have a statue of Buddha and im grateful in my heart to him and all people but i dont really see the point in saying things out loud as long as i feel them, do you think this is the wrong attitude for Buddhists?]

What do you think? Tell you what I think to-morrow.

Different Varieties (Comment)

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A cake is a cake, in whatever shape or size. This was what I said:

To a new comer it is pretty confusing to suddenly being confronted with so many different Buddhist traditions or schools of thought. I still remember when I started to study Buddhism seriuosly, I was actually upset with the sudden knowledge that there were so many schools of Buddhism. What I wanted to learn was the teachings of the Buddha. I had to accept the fact that there existed the various schools and there was nothing I could do about it. So the best strategy was for me to concentrate on the tradition that I had been studying, i.e., Theravada tradition.

In order not to hurt the feelings of our fellow Buddhists who belong to the other traditions, I have to be very careful in answering your query about the different schools. Generally speaking, there are 3 main traditions of Buddhism. In alphabetical order, Mahayana, Theravada, and Vajrayana. Mahayana means the Great Vehicle (Path) Theravada means the Path(Way) of the Elders(Senior monks) Vajrayana means the Jewelled Path Countries belonging to Mahayana are mainly China which spread to Korea, Mongolia, Japan, and Taiwan. So today, you would find mostly Chinese from China and Taiwan practising this tradition. Theravada spread to Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, and all the countries of Indochina. (I practise the Theravada tradition) Tibet is the country practising the Vajrayana tradition. So you can say that it is commonly called Tibetan Buddhism.

The fundamental teachings of the Buddha are to be found in all the 3 traditions. They are the 4 Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. The differences are in the rites and rituals which are purely cultural and traditional perculiar to its followers' cultures and traditions. Apart from this, there are a number of different discourses belonging to the different traditions. You would have to read a bit more to acquaint yourself with these traditions and then to decide for yourself your choice. A few visits to the different temples will help you to decide in due course. Zen Buddhism came from Japan when the Chinese introduced the Chan school of Buddhism there. Please be patient with yourself, and the path will be cleared! Hope to hear from you again.

Different Varieties (Question)

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We are all spoilt for choices. Even in religion. See how many Christian denominations. What about Buddhism? Same problem. When I was learning more about Buddhism, what I was interested in was just the teachings of the Buddha. That simple. But when I learned more, I was disenchanted to find so many different "schools" or traditions of Buddhism. I was really upset. I wasn't interested in them. I just wanted to learn the teachings of the Buddha. That's all.

Someone has similar problem. He lamented: (unedited)

[thanks alot for your answers justinchoo, they helped me to understand some things better.
of all religions i think buddhism suites the person iam best, but unfortunatly like many things with me i still cant help feel abit skeptical, even though i know nobody has anything to gain at my expense, it really is something i would like to get rid of but maybe that will come in time. after all the idea of reincarnation, kamma and meditation are not things that i was at all familar with until recently.
i also wanted to ask about the different types of buddhist religions, as i was interested in visiting one of the centre's in my area, there seems to be afew different kinds like the new kadampa and friends of the western buddhism order and of course the more mainstream kinds, from what i read online they both seem quite similar, i have also recently leanrnt more about zen buddhism but there is alot of information to take in and i feel that no matter how much i read about buddhism it is still only a very small amount compared to what is avaliable, but i think the trick is knowing when to stop for awhile and wait until you have fully absorbed something before you carry on.
anyway sorry for going on abit and again thanks for any help,
wishing you peace and clarity, ]

Any advice for our friend? I shall tell you to-morrow.

Om Mani Padme Hum

OM! The universal mystical sound vibration. The sound of peace, compassion and meditation.

Om! should not be haphazardly uttered. When done without purpose, without inner power (Chi), it will only be a disturbing noise from the throat. But if you take a deep breath, let it sink to the base of your navel, and then aspirate with the Om sound with your throat wide open, the Om sound will become a powerful positive vibration! Try it.

The esoteric mantra, Om Mani Padme Hum! is similarly forceful and powerful if chanted with the above breathing technique. The vibration is soothing to the listeners. This mantra has been chanted in a very wide variety of styles. It is also very popular with the accompaniment of musical instruments. This one from youtube is presented with traditional Chinese ensemble, (amongst the other instruments are the "er hu", Chinese flute, and the Chinese 2-string guitar) which I find it to be very soothing, powerful and full of positive vibration. It is from the album "Tibetan Incantations". Hope you enjoy this special and unique presentation as much as I do. (Unfortunately abruptly cut short to only 7.5 minutes in Youtube.)