gohthengpoay

横看成岭侧成峰，远近高低各不同； (Before realization)
不识庐山真面目，只缘身在此山中。
庐山烟雨浙江潮，未到千般恨未消；(Achieve realization)
到得原来无一物，庐山烟雨浙江潮。
溪声尽是广长舌，山色无非清净身；(Achieve enlightenment)
夜来八万四千偈，他日如何举世人。

无我亦无他，以无所得，故菩提萨多。。。。。。

1. Is Buddha GOD?
   Before enlightenment, Buddha was a normal human. However, he has penetrated through the layers of attachment, ignorance etc and realised the way to self-salvation. We believe that Enlightenment is innate in human nature;Everyone can become a Buddha. Although we pray to Buddha / Bodhisattvas in ways similar to theistic religions, we view them as embodiment of virtues, and not as god(s) understood in theistic views.
2. Only Buddhist can practice Buddhism?
   The Buddha simply just gave some instructions on making our lives happoer. So if you find that certain Buddhist teachings appeal to you, don’t worry about converting; just put them into practice as much as you can and you will end up a more peaceful and happier person. Buddhist meditation can make you an even better follower of your own religion or a better atheist if that’s what you happen to be.
3. You can do nothing about your karma?
   The term "karma" crops up often in casual conversation those days, and different people have different ideas of what it meas. For some people, karma seems to be unpredictable- kind of like luck. For others, the term means little more than "fate", and their attitude towards life, therefore, tends to be rather fatalistic:"It’s my karma to be short-tempered," they may say. "That just the way I am; w3hat can I do?"
   Karma does not equate to fate fixed in stone. Instead your karmic situation constantly shifts and changes depending on how you act, speak, and think right now. By changing your behaviour, and transforming your mind and heart through Buddhist practice, you can definitely transform the quality of your life.
4. Are buddhists idol-worshippers?
   If you enter a Buddhist temple, you’re likely to see behaviour that appears to be idolatry. Devotees stand reverentially with their palms pressed together in front of an altar featuring statue of Buddha. Then they suddenly bow down, stretching their body out full length on the floor in the direction of the altar.
   This practice is called "offering prostrations". In Buddhism, the statues of Buddha or Guanyin actually represent qualities highly esteemed like compassion or wisdom. The prostration to a Buddha statue is thus a reminder to the pratitioner to perfect these qualities. Also, it is a practice of humility and a reminder to all, that we can also achieve this perfection like historical Buddha.
5. Buddhism is only for Asians?
   Although buddhism originated from India, it belongs to no one continent, nation, or ethnic group. As long as people suffer from negative emotions, destructive habits and distorted thinking. Buddha’s teachings about mindfulness, wisdom, and compassion offer effective methods for achieving lasting happiness and peace of mind.
   In fact, millions in Europe, America have adapted Buddhism and their spiritual path!
6. Buddhists look forward to dying because they think life is suffering?
   The Dalai Lama certainly does not think so! However, what Buddhists believe is that a life is governed by negative emotions and destructive habit patterns inevitably fills it with suffering and dissatisfaction. As such, Buddhists practise to rid oneself of such mental obstacles to achieve an enduring happiness and freedom that doesn’t depend on that unpredictable circumstances of life..
7. Buddhists think that everything is an illusion?
   Things aren’t illusions; thins are "like" illusions. Reality may appear to be a collection of solid, separate, material objects. In fact, it is a constantly changing flow, in which everything is interrelated and nothing is as separate or independent as it appears to be. The point is that until you remove the veils of misconception obscuring your wisdom, you can’t perceive reality directly, just the way it is.
8. Buddhists don’t believe in anything?
   Believing in "emptiness" does not mean believing in nothingness. A rejection of everything is a grave error frequently seen even among seasoned practitioners. Rather Buddhists are taught not to readily believe in anything first, including what the Buddha said. But to have an open mind and test it out and only believe after your own personal experience its truth.
9. Buddhists are only interested in comptemplating their navels?
   Buddhism places great emphasis on silent introspection (meditation) to understand your own self and work through your own trappings of negative emotions, attitudes, and mindsets. This does not mean that they are socially disengaged. Because how can you truly help others get out when you are trapped yourselves?
10. Buddhists never get angry?
    Buddhists do train to eradicate anger, but it is a gradual process. However, Buddhists training does not entail suppressing anger or leeting others step all over you. Rather, Buddhists train to respond to such situations with the positive pwer of love, compassion and wisdom. Responding with anger only creates more suffering for oneself and others.