Interview With A Buddhist

Hey there guys,
for those of you who are interested in becoming a Buddhist
or just want to learna little bit about Buddhism, I decided to do a mock interview with
a Buddhist about Buddhism with real facts. So here it goes :)

Me: Hey Banko I am considering joining buddhism but I have a couple questions for you before I can convert.
Banko: Sure of course, I can teach you a few things about Buddhism.

1.What is buddhism?
Banko: Buddhism is the philosophy of awakening. It’s origins come from Siddhartha Gotama, who is known as the “Buddha”.

2.Why are there different types of buddhism?
Banko: Buddhism has evolved into different forms so it can stay relevant to the different types of cultures. It has also had different interpretations over the years.

3.What are the causes of suffering according to Buddhism?
BankoThe causes of suffering according to Buddhism are wishing, wanting, and desiring. Our own suffering is caused by the way we think and the way we act.

4.What is karma?
Banko:Karma is the belief of cause and affecting, reaping and sowing. If you are doing bad things you will get bad things your way, if you are doing good things you’ll get good to come your way.

1. What exactly does Nirvana mean?
   Banko: Nirvana is a place of peace and happiness. It is similar to heaven.

2. How do I get there?
   Banko: If you would like to get to Nirvana, you're going have to have to attain the end of suffering. To attain the end of suffering you will have to travel through the Noble Eightfold Path. The first step is to have the right intentions and mindset.

3. That sounds impossible. Is it hard to get there?
   Banko: Yes it is actually possible to reach Nirvana. To reach Nirvana you have to learn self discipline, learn to live in the moment, and you need to free your mind from negative thoughts.

4. What is the first noble truth?
   Banko: The first noble truth is that life is essentially suffering. And to live,y ou have to be able to suffer.

5. What is the second noble truth?
   Banko: The second noble truth is that all your suffering is caused by craving. The more you crave something that you cannot have, the more you will suffer.

6. What if I stopped wanting? How would I be able to achieve anything that way?
   Banko: The idea is that you should do things not because you crave.

1. What is the third noble truth?
   Banko: The third noble truth is that suffering can be overcome and happiness can be attained.

2. How do I know that Nirvana actually even exists?
   Banko: Although there is not much proof, it is still believed that if there is a dimension where time and space operate, then there is a dimension where time and space dont operation- nirvana. You can't have one without the other.

3. What is the fourth noble truth?
   Banko: The fourth noble truth is the eightfold path, which consists of perfect understanding, perfect thought, perfect speech, perfect action, perfect livelihood, perfect effort, perfect mindfulness, and perfect concentration.

4. Are there buddhist holy places?

The four holy sites as places of pilgrimage for Buddhists are Lumbini, where the Buddha was born, Bodh Gaya, where the Buddha was enlightened under the Bodhi tree; Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first teaching of the Dharma; and Kusinagara, where the Buddha passed away.

1. Why is Siddhartha Gautama so important to you guys?
   Banko:He is important to us because he found the path to enlightenment and was led from pain and suffering.

2. Why did he stop being a prince when he had everything?

He stopped being a prince ebcause he discovered suffering and wanted to find a way to get rid of it.

1. What is this symbol?

The wheel of life is a symbol that means the circle of life. It is a symbol to represent death and rebirth.

1. What does a lotus flower symbolize in buddhism?
   The lotus flower represents the belief we have where people should rise above everything (dukkha). A follower also may be beautiful, but will die in wither. This shows that nothing in life is perfect.

2. Why does Buddha have a bump on his head?
   Banko: It is believed that Buddha has a bump on his head to represent his intelligence.

3. Where do Buddhists worship?

We worship in Buddhist temples. The most known temples are the pagodas which are in China and Japan.

1. How do i worship Buddha?
   Banko: The worship of Buddha is called Puja. We worship Buddha through chanting, this is how we show our love. We also make offerings to him by giving him flowers, candles, etc.

2. What does Dukkha mean?
   Banko: Dukkha means suffering.

1. How many buddhists are there worldwide?
   Banko: There are 350,000 buddhists around the world, and it is one of the main religions.

2. How old is buddhism?
   Banko: Buddhism is 2,5000 years old.

3. Can anyone become a buddhist?
   Banko: Yes.