The book "BUDDHISM FOR BEGINNERS" by Janna serves as an invaluable guide for anyone interested in exploring and understanding the fundamentals of Buddhism. Through a question-and-answer format, the book clearly and concisely explains the basic concepts, philosophies, and principles of Buddhism. Author Janna skillfully incorporates short stories, practical examples, and answers to common queries, providing readers with a comprehensive and accessible approach to Buddhist teachings. This book is a valuable resource for both beginners and those looking to deepen their knowledge of this ancient religion.
Question 01: WHAT IS BUDDHISM?
Answer: There are many religions worldwide, and Buddhism is one of the major. Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha. It originated in India around the fifth century BCE and later spread to many countries. Buddhism has a detailed, logical, and prosperous system of doctrine (dharma) based on the teachings of the Buddha. It also has a monastic community (Sangha) responsible for preserving and spreading the Buddha’s teachings (Dharma) and guiding Buddhists to practice according to those teachings. Additionally, Buddhism features its unique religious rituals.
Question 02: WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF BUDDHISM?
Answer: Unlike many other religions, which worship deities in the heavens and often pray to these deities for blessings in life and the promise of a heavenly afterlife, Buddhism focuses on enhancing human morality in the present life. It helps individuals achieve an obvious and pure inner state of mind, known as Enlightenment. An enlightened person can understand everything in the universe. Therefore, Buddhism also serves as a beautiful complement to other religions.
Question 03: DOES BUDDHISM HAVE PRAYERS?
Answer: Buddhism does have prayers and chanting, similar to other religions. The purpose of praying or chanting is to recall the Buddha's teachings, make promises to the Buddha about the good things we want to do, and ask for the Buddha’s guidance in cultivating our inner morality. For example, if we tend to love everyone but find it challenging, we pray to the Buddha to help us love everyone. Gradually, we might start feeling love for everyone, making those around us very happy.
Question 04: WHEN WE FACE DIFFICULTIES IN LIFE, CAN WE PRAY TO THE BUDDHA FOR HELP TO OVERCOME THEM?
Answer: In Buddhism, there is an extensive system of divine beings, including Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and deities, responsible for watching over and helping humans. Those who cultivate moral virtues, help others, show compassion, respect the venerable, and revere the divine beings will receive assistance and protection through prayers in the face of difficulties and accidents. These heavenly beings help us because they know that after we overcome problems, we will continue to live good lives filled with love and assistance for others.
Question 05: DOES THAT MEAN THE BUDDHA ONLY HELPS THOSE WHO ARE MORAL, YET NOT EVERYONE UNCONDITIONALLY?
Answer: If divine assistance were unconditional, no one would bother to cultivate morality or live a virtuous life since even malicious people would receive assistance just by praying. Everything must be fair; the universe holds absolute fairness, and deities must be even more just than humans. Those who live generously and kindly and help others deserve to be helped and rewarded. Those who live maliciously, selfishly, and harm others will suffer and be punished. This fairness is what the universe, divine beings, and human laws must follow to keep the world stable.
Question 06: WHAT IS THIS FAIRNESS CALLED?
Answer: This fairness is called Justice among humans. In the heavenly realm, it is called Divine Law. Throughout the universe, it is called Truth. In Buddhism, it is known as the Law of Cause and Effect or the Law of Karma.
Human justice is not absolute because personal interests can influence it. The Divine Law in the heavenly realm is almost absolute because deities are more impartial, though they still have emotions. The Truth of the universe, also known as the Law of Cause and Effect or the Law of Karma, is fair. Anyone who wishes to cultivate morality should strive to understand this fair Law of Karma as thoroughly as possible.
Question 07: CAN YOU GIVE SOME EXAMPLES OF THE FAIRNESS OF THE LAW OF KARMA TO ILLUSTRATE IT MORE CLEARLY?
Answer: For example, if we give money to a malicious person, enabling them to commit more evil deeds, we incur negative karma. As a result, we may later face financial difficulties or experience misfortune. Conversely, if we give money to a poor person in need who is not malicious, we will gain positive karma. This merit ensures that we will never fall into extreme financial hardship in the future. Additionally, we will accumulate great merit if we give money to a virtuous person who frequently does good deeds and contributes positively to society. This significant merit will result in us having more money and experiencing many fortunate events.
Question 08: CAN YOU GIVE MORE EXAMPLES?
Answer: For instance, if we see a damaged road and spend our time, effort, and money to repair it, making it safer and more convenient for people to travel, we gain positive karma. Thanks to this good karma, our future endeavors will go smoothly and efficiently; we will experience good fortune, avoid traffic accidents, and quickly acquire vehicles.
Another example is if we notice poor students lacking books and sometimes going to school hungry. If we help by giving them money for books and providing food, enabling them to study well, we gain positive karma. Due to this merit, we will excel in our studies, enjoy a prosperous family life, and have a successful career.
We will not be lonely if we frequently encourage people to love and help each other. We will always be surrounded by laughter and have many beloved people around us when we pass away. Conversely, suppose we often speak ill of others, causing suspicion and estrangement. In that case, we will eventually face the karma of loneliness, with no one wanting to be near us, and we may die alone without anyone knowing.
If we admire and respect good people, praise their virtues, and support them, we naturally develop those qualities ourselves without much effort. Conversely, if we envy, criticize, and hinder good people, our minds will become corrupted by negative thoughts, making us prone to wrongdoing and condemned by society.
Question 09: THE MORE EXAMPLES I HEAR, THE MORE I UNDERSTAND THE LAW OF KARMA. COULD YOU PLEASE PROVIDE MORE EXAMPLES?
Answer: For instance, if we often think of ourselves as superior and look down on others, we will gradually fall into a lower status, with poor character and social standing, and no one will like us. Conversely, if we think humbly of ourselves, consider ourselves ordinary or lowly, and respect everyone, we will gradually progress, becoming wiser, luckier, and more beloved by others. This is similar to what Jesus said in the Gospel: "For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
Another example is if we owe a debt that we cannot repay or receive a favor that we cannot return, we may become subordinates to our benefactors in the future, serving them to repay the debt or favor.
Suppose we learn something valuable and share it with others instead of keeping it to ourselves. In that case, we will become knowledgeable, possibly even reaching the level of a genius.
Let's often help build public facilities for many people, such as schools, hospitals, libraries, religious buildings, and retirement homes. We will be rewarded with a spacious and comfortable home in the future.
Question 10: THE MORE I HEAR ABOUT THE EXAMPLES OF KARMA, THE MORE I FIND IT FASCINATING AND LIMITLESS. ANYONE INTERESTED CAN EXPLORE AND REFLECT FURTHER. MAY I ASK, WHAT KARMA CAUSES A PERSON TO BE DISABLED?
Answer: A single outcome may stem from various causes, not necessarily just one. For instance, someone with a leg disability might have damaged public roads in a previous life, fought in wars, broken the legs of enemies, or hunted animals and broken their legs to prevent them from escaping. It is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of such a karmic result; only enlightened beings can honestly know.
For example, blindness might result from having harmed someone's eyes in the past, taken away public light sources, imprisoned someone in darkness for too long, or ignored the suffering of others to avoid helping them.
Similarly, someone mute may have once prohibited others from expressing their rightful desires, cut off someone's tongue, or been too cowardly to defend what is right.
