Questions and Answers about Buddhism

Why do monks shave their heads?

1. Because the Buddha cut his hair off to say goodbye to the world

2. Because monks must be celibate. Hair makes him handsome, but he cannot touch a woman! This may be difficult for him.

3. To overcome vanity.

Why do we have to make merit?Many Buddhist’s believe we make merit so we can have good karma for the next life.But I think we should make merit to help others, not to help ourselves. Some people think that making merit (giving to the sangha) is extortion.

Where is hell?

Hell is not a real place. I do not believe you can go to hell after you die.

But if you make mistakes, your life now could become hell.

Where will we go after we die?

YOU will not exist after you die.

But I believe a new consciousness will arise somewhere in the universe, and you will be that consciousness. You could be any kind of living thing, plant, animal or even artificial intelligence. It does not matter, all are equal.

Why is Buddhism in Thailand different from Buddhism in Japan?

• Buddhism changes to fit the culture of every place it becomes popular

• Japan has Mahayana and Thailand has Theravada

Do you believe in ghosts?

I don’t believe there are ghosts in reality.

But because they exist in our heads, they exist in a way.

If ghosts were real, why would people see them so rarely?

Why do we have to pray?

Who are we praying to?

Do we really have to pray?

Praying is superstition

Why can’t monks leave the temple during khao phansa?

People didn’t want the monks to step on the young rice plants

It also gives monks time to meditate and study

Do you believe in god?

Yin yang of daoism

Why don’t monks wear shoes?

Monks in some places wear shoes

The vinaya pitakasays that monks should not use luxurious things like shoes

Why can’t a woman touch a monk?Monks must not have sexual pleasure

Touching a woman may make them sexually excited

If monks could touch women they would be distracted from practice

Why don’t monks eat dinner?

1. So the monks don’t burden the lay people with more than one meal every day.

2. So that they can learn to deal with desire

3. For health reasons. It makes you more healthy and energetic (supposedly)

4. It gives the monks more time for meditation

Eating one meal a day can cause constipation

Sometimes monks consume animal urine to help them go to the bathroom

Why should we follow the 5 precepts?

If everyone followed the precepts, the world would be a better place.

There would be less suffering.

utopia

Why do monks have so many rules?

They Vinaya pitaka has 227 rules for monks

Monks believed that a disciplined life is the way to enlightenment

Why don’t monks wear underwear?

• They don’t need it!

• A monks robe has three parts: an inner(sabong), upper(ungsa) and outer robe (jiworn)

Why are monks robes orange/yellow?

Turmeric dye

Monks used to use jackfruit, rubber or wood to dye robes.Yellow is the color of renunciation.Now they use modern dyes made of chemicalsThe dye protects the robe.

Why do people make temples?

People build temples to make merit.

They think it is good karma for the next life.

I think any place can be a temple if you have jai yen

Why do we have Buddhist holidays?

• All cultures have holidays

• Holidays give people a chance to practice Buddhism and have a good time

• They bring the community together

• They mark the passage of time

Why do some people become monks?

• Some become monks because they are poor

• Some are really interested in Buddhism

• Some want to have a chance to study

Where is Buddhism from?

The Buddha was born in Kapilavastu, Nepal.

He found enlightenment in Bodh Gaya India

He gave his first teachings at Deer Park in Varanasi

He died in Kusinara

What is abhidhamma day?

• This is a Burmese holiday to celebrate Buddha going to heaven to teach his mother the abhidhamma

Why did Buddhism come to Thailand?

• We don’t know when Buddhism came to Thailand. Maybe in the third century by Asoka, Sona and Uttara.

What is on top of the Buddha’s head?

It is called an urna

It shows that the Buddha is enlightened

Does a Buddhist break the precept of not killing when he eats meat?

Santi Asoke people say yes, it is killing.

Most monks and people think it is ok to eat meat if you don’t kill the animals yourself.

What do you think?

Do Buddhist’s believe in god?

Well… What is god?

This guy?!!!

How many Buddhas are there?

• Mahayana Buddhism has over 10,000 Buddhas

• Theravada has 7 Buddhas

• Some people say there are more Buddha’s than there are stars in the sky

• Maitreya is the Buddha of the future

Why aren’t we immortal?

• Everything has a beginning and end

• But I don’t think death is “the end”. It is a time to change to a new thing.

• “Every chromosome has a telomere. Each time a chromosome divides the telomere becomes shorter”

Who told the history of the Buddha?

• Buddhaghosa wrote most of the commentaries on the tipitaka for Theravada Buddhism

Which way do we turn for wien tien?

• clockwise

Why are people greedy?They have fear. They are afraid of losing everything and not having enough to live

They want to have a “big face”

People are never satisfied.

How can we know that we’ll be human in the next life?

• Some people say that you must make good karma to be human in the next life

• I think it doesn’t depend on karma. I think it depends on chance. A very small chance.

Why do we put our palms together when we pray?

This is called anjali in Buddhism

This is done in many cultures and religions

It is to show respect, and to calm the body and mind

Do we have a soul mate?

It’s probably easier to find a soulmate from your own culture.

I think it is difficult to find a soul mate because it’s so hard to get people to really open their heart

I hope you find oneYou will never find a soul mate if you don’t trust people

What is the meaning of life?

Money, power, fun, love, helping others, success, experiencing everything?It’s up to you.

Why must we learn about Buddhism?

The government of your country wants you to be a good person

Buddhism is an important part of Thai culture

Did you know that in the past, almost all education was at temples, with monks as teachers?

Why does Buddhism have the name Buddhism?

• Buddha means “the enlightened one”

• -ism means it’s a system of belief

• -ist means a person who believes it

Can monks fly?

Yes, yes they can.

Can monks kill an animal?

Monks must not kill an animal.

A monk must not eat meat that he knows was killed for him.

But he can defend himself

Why is there holy water in Buddhism?

• I think all water is holy water

• There is holy water in may religions

• It is used for blessings

Can good karma cancel out bad karma from the past?

• Yes I believe it can

Why can’t we touch a monk’s bowl?

You might break it! A long time ago, bowls were easy to break and difficult to make

When do the monks pray?

• In many temples, the monks pray in the morning, midday, near dinner time, and nighttime

Can monks use and handle money?

The Vinaya pitaka says that monks should not hold money.Many try not to.But sometimes it is necessary.

Why can some people see ghosts, and some people can’t?

He can probably see ghosts

Do monks wash their robes?

Can monks travel by car?

The Vinaya pitaka says monks should not use luxuries, but many vinaya rules are difficult to follow.

Monks cannot sit next to a woman in the car.

Can monks listen to music and sing?

• The seventh precept “Refrain from dancing, singing, music, going to see entertainments…”

• The answer: No. But many do it.

What is a fast way to get enlightenment?

• It depends on which kind of Buddhism you practice, and on your definition of enlightenment

Should monks shave their beard?

• Monks must always shave their head and beard

Do foreigners become Santi Asokemonks?

What is real Buddhism?

• Any kind of Buddhism that makes the world better is “real Buddhism”

• Anyone who says they know what “real Buddhism” is is lying or wrong.

Buddhism

Do you think Santi Asoke people really understand Buddhism?

• They have their own style of Buddhism

• There is no wrong way to practice Buddhism.

• But I like some styles of Buddhism more than others.

Do you think we have enough Buddhism in our life?

• You should take what you need from Buddhism. No more.

• What is important in Buddhism? Outer Buddhism (ceremonies, praying, temples, statues), or inner Buddhism? (love, generosity and a calm heart)

What is the best religion?

• All religions have good and bad sides

• I believe Buddhism is the most open and free religion. It is a “universal” religion

• The best religion is the one that is best for your life

How many people really understand all of Buddhism?

• No one understands all of Buddhism, even the Buddha

What IS Buddhism? The teachings of the Buddha 2500 years ago? Everything that has been added since then? Both?

The more you learn, the more you realize that you know very little

Why did Santi Asoke walk away from the Dhamma of the Buddha?

• What is the “dhamma of the Buddha?”

• The basics of Buddhism are mostly the same in every country

• They have changed things about buddhismthat they don’t like

Why can’t Thai nuns be equal to monks?

Women cannot ordain in ThailandIn most countries they can ordain.The Thai sangha does not want change.