01: There is no almighty God in Buddhism.
There is no one to hand out rewards or punishments on a supposedly Judgement
Day.
02: Buddhism is strictly not a religion in the
context of being a faith and worship owing allegiance to a supernatural being.
03: No saviour concept in Buddhism. A Buddha
is not a saviour who saves others by his personal salvation. Although a
Buddhist seeks refuge in the Buddha as his incomparable guide who indicates the
path of purity, he makes no servile surrender. A Buddhist does not think that
he can gain purity merely by seeking refuge in the Buddha or by mere faith in
Him. It is not within the power of a Buddha to wash away the impurities of others
04: A Buddha is not an incarnation of a
god/God (as claimed by some Hindu followers). The relationship between a Buddha
and his disciples and followers is that of a teacher and student.
05: The liberation of self is the
responsibility of one's own self. Buddhism does not call for an unquestionable
blind faith by all Buddhist followers. It places heavy emphasis on
self-reliance, self discipline and individual striving.
06: Taking refuge in The Triple Gems i.e. the
Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha; does not mean self-surrender or total
reliance on an external force or third party for help or salvation.
07: Dharma (the teachings in Buddhism) exists
regardless whether there is a Buddha. Sakyamuni Buddha (as the historical
Buddha) discovered and shared the teachings/ universal truths with all sentient
beings. He is neither the creator of such teachings nor the prophet of an
almighty God to transmit such teachings to others.
08: Especially emphasized in Mahayana
Buddhism, all sentient beings have Buddha Nature/ Essence. One can become a
Buddha (a supreme enlightened being) in due course if one practices diligently
and attains purity of mind (ie absolutely no delusions or afflictions).
09: In Buddhism, the ultimate objective of
followers/practitioners is enlightenment and/or liberation from Samsara; rather
than to go to a Heaven (or a deva realm in the context of Buddhist cosmology).
10: Karma and Karma Force are cornerstones in
Buddhist doctrines. They are expounded very thoroughly in Buddhism. Karma
refers to an important metaphysical concept concerned with action and its
consequences. This law of karma explains the problem of sufferings, the mystery
of the so-called fate and predestination of some religions, and above all the
apparent inequality of mankind.
11: Rebirth is another key doctrine in
Buddhism and it goes hand in hand with karma. There is a subtle difference
between rebirth and reincarnation as expounded in Hinduism. Buddhism rejects
the theory of a transmigrating permanent soul, whether created by a god or
emanating from a divine essence.
12: Maitri or Metta in Pali (Loving Kindness)
and Karuna (Compassion) to all living beings including animals. Buddhism
strictly forbids animal sacrifice for whatever reason. Vegetarianism is
recommended but not compulsory.
13: The importance of Non-attachment.
Buddhism goes beyond doing good and being good. One must not be attached to
good deeds or the idea of doing good; otherwise it is just another form of
craving.
14: In Buddhism, there is consideration for
all sentient beings (versus human beings, as in other religions). Buddhists
acknowledge/accept the existence of animals and beings in other realms in
Samsara.
15: No holy war concept in Buddhism. Killing
is breaking a key moral precept in Buddhism. One is strictly forbidden to kill
another person in the name of religion, a religious leader or whatsoever
religious pretext or worldly excuse.
16: Suffering is another cornerstone in
Buddhism. It is the first of the Four Noble Truths. Sufferings are very well
analysed and explained in Buddhism.
17: The idea of sin or original sin has no
place in Buddhism. Also, sin should not be equated to suffering.
18: Buddhist teachings expound no beginning
and no end to one's existence or life. There is virtually no recognition of a
first cause — e.g. how does human existence first come about?
19: The Dharma provides a very detailed
explanation of the doctrine of anatman {anatta in Pali} or soullessness , i.e.
there is no soul entity (whether in one life of many lives).
20: The Buddha is omniscient but he is not
omnipotent. He is capable of innumerable feats but there are three things he
cannot do. Also, a Buddha does not claim to be a creator of lives or the
Universe.
21: Prajna [Panna in Pali] or Transcendent
Wisdom occupies a paramount position in Buddhist teachings. Sakyamuni Buddha
expounded Prajna concepts for some 20 years of his ministry. One is taught to
balance compassion with prajna i.e.emotion (faith) with rationale (right
understanding / truth / logic).
22: The tradition and practice of meditation
in Buddhism are relatively important and strong. While all religions teach some
forms or variations of stabilizing/single-pointedness meditation, only Buddhism
emphasizes Vipassana (Insight) meditation as a powerful tool to assist one in
seeking liberation/enlightenment.
23: The doctrine of Sunyata or Emptiness is
unique to Buddhism and its many aspects are well expounded in advanced Buddhist
teachings. Briefly, this doctrine asserts the transcendental nature of Ultimate
Reality. It declares the phenomenal world to be void of all limitations of
particularization and that all concepts of dualism are abolished.
24: Conditioned Arising [Paticcasamuppada in
Pali] or Dependent Origination is another key doctrine in Buddhism. This
doctrine explains that all psychological and physical phenomena constituting
individual existence are interdependent and mutually condition each other; this
at the same time describes what entangles sentient beings in samsara.
25: The concept of Hell(s) in Buddhism is
very different from that of other religions. It is not a place for eternal
damnation as viewed by 'almighty creator' religions. In Buddhism, it is just
one of the six realms in Samsara [i.e. the worst of three undesirable realms].
Also, there are virtually unlimited number of hells in the Buddhist cosmology
as there are infinite number of Buddha worlds.
26: The Buddhist cosmology (or universe) is
distinctly different from that of other religions which usually recognise only
this solar system (Earth) as the center of the Universe and the only planet
with living beings. The Buddhist viewpoint of a Buddha world (also known as
Three Thousand-Fold World System) is that of one billion solar systems.
Besides, the Mahayana Buddhist doctrines expound that there are other
contemporary Buddha worlds like Amitabha's Pure Land and Bhaisajyaguru's world
system.
27: Samsara is a fundamental concept in Buddhism and it is simply the
'perpetual cycles of existence' or endless rounds of rebirth among the six
realms of existence. This cyclical rebirth pattern will only end when a
sentient being attains Nirvana, i.e. virtual exhaustion of karma, habitual
traces, defilements and delusions. All other religions preach one heaven, one
earth and one hell, but this perspective is very limited compared with Buddhist
samsara where heaven is just one of the six realms of existence and it has 28
levels/planes.
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