Question 1

What is Buddha?

Accepted Answer

Buddha refers to any awakened and wise individual who thoroughly understands wisdom and nirvana, who overcomes all ignorance and afflictions, and who reaches complete enlightenment and absolute freedom. The only Buddha in history is Shakyamuni Buddha also known as Gautama Buddha,

Question 2

What is the origin of Buddhism?

Accepted Answer

The founder of Buddhism was Shakyamuni Buddha. Born in the 6th Century B.C., he was a prince in ancient India. At the age of 29, he came to realize that he could not be happy living as he had, so he left his palace to seek answers for sentient beings to be liberated from birth, old age, disease, death and all kinds of suffering.   He practiced hard and meditated for six years.  Eventually he reached enlightenment while meditating under a Bodhi tree, and attained “Buddhahood”. In the 45 years following his enlightenment, Shakyamuni Buddha traveled around Northeastern India to teach the tenets and principles of Buddhism, while helping people become liberated from birth and death.

Question 3

Can I become Buddha?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can. Shakyamuni Buddha was never a super being, or a God with supernatural powers. He was a human, but also an extraordinary human being. He awakened us to the Buddha nature within us and taught us Dharma, which is teachings of the truth and way to enlightenment. Everyone has the potential to become a Buddha. The path to buddhahood is not reserved for a few or specific individuals. People who have attained buddhahood do not need to have any supernatural power. Everyone can become a Buddha. Everyone can be freed from the suffering of life. Everyone can be out of the samsara of birth and death.

Question 4

Which holiday do Buddhists celebrate?

Accepted Answer

There is Vesak, on the first full moon day in May, which celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death (nirvana) of the Buddha.

Question 5

Christianity has the Bible, Islam has Koran, what is the representative scripture of Buddhism?"

Accepted Answer

Buddhism does not have a single script as a Bible or Koran. Buddha taught Dharma for 49 years. After his nirvana, Buddhist scriptures and literature were documented and collected by Buddha’s disciples. Buddha’s teachings were organized into the Tripitaka (Pali) Canon and Dvadasanga buddha-vacana.   The Tripitaka, which is divided into three sections, is the fundamental scripture of Buddhism.Dvadasanga buddha-vacana (words of the Buddha) contains 12 types of genres of Buddhism scriptures. The Diamond Sutra is a basic sutra in Chan School, is also included in the large collection of Dvadasanga buddha-vacana.

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