Ask Me Something

How actually reincarnation happens 


The Questions

I am very much confused about the teachings of Karma and its relation to our next life (reincarnation) , because buddhism do not ...

How do Buddhist deal with pain? 

How do Japanese Buddhist deal with pain?


my answer

For Buddhists in general, pain and suffering are illusions brought to us through the ...

Soka Gakkai  


What are your thoughts on SGI Would it be something worthwhile to check out? I heard alot of negative things.

Thank you for your question. It ...

To Make Other People Happy 


How can we chant to make other people happy (near and dear ones)?

My answer

Chanting in the west is different than in traditional Japanese ...

Reincarnation 


The Question

We have heard that as Hinduism, Buddhism too presupposes reincarnation. The Karma effect makes it possible, according to the Sacred ...

Could you tell me how many sects and sub sects of japanese buddhism exist right now? 
The Question:

Hi, I'm making a study for the university here in Portugal, I have this info from 1990's saying that in Japan are 56 sects and subsects ...

Four noble truths and peace 
Is a craving for peace and wisdom also suffering?

Hello,

I'm sorry to say that, yes, it is. Cravings mean that you are not satisfied with the present ...

Can you explain the concept of "Other Power" of Amida Buddha? 

The Question

I have difficulty explaining this concept to others so I'm wondering if you could explain it in a simple form.

In Gassho,

J
...

What happens to the soul of the victims of the tsunami? 


The Question:
I understand that Japanese buddhism generally requires an elaborate and ritualized funeral for the deceased, including cremation ...

Does Buddhism have a certificate authenticating that you are a Buddhist? 








Question:
In Catholicism, they have this baptismal certificate that states that you are a Catholic. Does this also apply to Buddhism?...

Do Obaku Zen monks still follow the traditional manner of ordination as prescribed in the Dharmagupta Vinaya? 








Question:
As far as I know, after the time of Dengyo Daishi (The founder of Tendai in Japan) Japanese Buddhists gradually abandoned ...

Left? Right? 








Question:
I heard somewhere that you should clean your left hand first and the right hand second. I don't think any visitors ...

What is a right business for computer scientists? 


The Question:

I recently got my Master in Computer Science. Now I have realized that nearly everybody in this business is only interested in ...

What does a temple mean to a Japanese person? 


The Question

What would you say a major temple would mean to someone that is Japanese, or to Japan as a whole? I had the good fortune to visit ...

What are the prayers for Tina Turner's Buddhist religion? 
THE QUESTION:

Ten years ago I practiced Buddhism and I need to have a copy of the prayers. I want to practice again.

My answer:

Tina Turner practices ...

Buddhologist or Buddhist 
The Question:

Hi,
I have been interested in Buddhism for years now and have read many books and articles and feel that as a way of life and a ...

Buddhist self-mummification 
Question:

What are the reasons behind the Buddhist monks in northern Japan who decided to mummify themselves?






My answer:

What ...

Do practising Japanese Buddhists marry across sects ? 
Question:
 
There are about 12 mainstream sects of Buddhism in Japan, some with quite different belief systems. For example the followers of ...

Have you visited any other Nichiren schools? 
Have you visited any other Nichiren schools (besides Soka Gakkai and/or Nichiren Shoshu)?

My answer:

I have visited many temples in Japan, of most ...

What does this picture mean?  Not rated yet

Hello, I was visiting the page www.japanese-buddhism.com/hinduism.html and I came across this picture. What does it mean?

*****My answer*******

Dacia,...

How to express condolence to a buddhist friend?  Not rated yet
How to express condolence to a buddhist friend?

Hello Lauris,

Since you do not tell me the origin of your friend or even what form of Buddhism ...

Even if I'm practicing everyday there is fear in my heart which makes me lose all my hope in a second?  Not rated yet
I've been practising Buddhism everyday for 1 year and I even inspire people to do so but why am I always scared to loose my faith?

There is always ...

What form of Buddhism became very popular amount warriors and artists in Japan?  Not rated yet

Matthew,

I am sure you are talking about Zen.

You can read about Soto Zen on this page.

Zen became popular with the warrior class in the ...

I am Iranian and love Buddhism  Not rated yet
The Question:

I love Buddhism but I don't know how to become a Buddhist in my country(Iran). There is no temple and there is no buddhist community....

A question about Fudo Myo-o  Not rated yet
Hi,

I was intrigued by your experience of Fudo. You mentioned it kind of in passing, but i bet there is more to it.
As a matter of fact I'm at the ...

Being Jewish (or any other religion) and Buddhist?  Not rated yet


How can I feel like I am Buddhist... and not just Jewish?

I've been extremely interested in Buddhism for a little while now. When I saw exactly ...

I can't manage the lotus or even half lotus position. How should I sit?  Not rated yet


I can't manage the lotus or even half lotus position. How should I sit? Also can/should I practice before sleep, ie. lying down?

The way you ...

What's the goal of being Buddhist after all human become Buddha?  Not rated yet


What is the goal of being Buddhist after all human become Buddhas?

my answer

I'm not sure I understand your question. Obviously, you could ...

What is the daily schedule of a Japanese Buddhist Monk?  Not rated yet

Do you know the daily activities of a Japanese Buddhist Monk?


My answer

The daily schedule of a monk will depend from sect to sect and from ...

Is there a fully translated book of the Buddha's writings?  Not rated yet
I know there are all these books about buddhism, but is there just one book with just what the Buddha wrote? Kinda like a bible for Buddhists?

Answer ...

What can I be doing for my husband`s spirit?.  Not rated yet
The Question:

When my husband passed away in a hospital, an autopsy was done on his body. I had his body cremated. Did this autopsy compromise his ...

what is the role of karma ?  Not rated yet
I want to ask you something that is haunting me for sometime and its frustrating that i could not answer my own question . I hope you could help cause ...

Heart Sutra   Not rated yet


The Question

Can you provide me with a copy of the Heart Sutra written in Japanese, also if you have a chanting recording of the same Sutra.


Thank ...

I am interested in learning more about the connection between Buddhism and the art of bonsai.   Not rated yet








Question:
What are the spiritual links between Buddhism and bonsai?
How was bonsai included in the cultural exchange between ...

is it possible find back a reborn person?  Not rated yet

The Question:

I met someone who feels like I have known before.

Is it possible that we met before long ago and found back?



Is there an ...

Nirvana is Satori?  Not rated yet
The Question:

Dear friend,

Did I read right that Satori is the Japanese term for nirvana? I had heard of both but never thought to relate them!

In ...

Can you suggest something that I can chant.  Not rated yet
The Question:

I am very interested in chanting and the benefits that it can have for someone who is stressed AND ANXIOUS.
I have been meditating for ...

Buddhist Medical Ethics  Not rated yet


The Question:
What are taboos in hospitals for Buddhists. ie: blood transfusion, medication, surgery, lab work, x-rays, etc. ?

My answer:...

What type of incense should I bring as an offering at a Buddhist temple?  Not rated yet


The Question: I'm new to Buddhism, and I plan to attend a Buddhist service in my city. I don't know what type of incense to bring (powder, stick,...

What are superstitions that japanese believe in?  Not rated yet


The Question:
I am interested in knowing what are the different superstitions japanese believe to be true?

My answer
Well, I am not a pro ...

what is the most important historical/symbolic structure in japan  Not rated yet


The Question:
What is the most important historical/symbolic structure in Japan?
My answer:



It ...

What are the customs of Western Buddhism?  Not rated yet








Question: What are the customs of western buddhism?
My answer: Thank you Danielle for you question....

Where should I put my altar?  Not rated yet








Question:
I was wondering if there was a specific spot that I should put my altar, and is it ok to put it outside?
My answer:...

No mention of the Sokka Gakkai's ...Presence in society  Not rated yet
There is no mention of the Sokka Gakkai's presence in society and the world of buddhism in your article about Buddhism dying in Japan? Lets dialogue! Thank ...

information about when buddhism started  Not rated yet






Question:
I am writing a book can you give me information on when buddhism started ?
My answer:
Hello Dean,
What kind ...

I would like to convert to Buddhism  Not rated yet



Question:
I am christian at the moment and I just have been thinking about it part of my family are Buddhists so I do not know what to do or ...

Congratulations  Not rated yet
Congratulations on your new Buddhist Supplies page. Would you like to add my book, Buddha Nature Now, A Lay Persons Guide To The Buddha Way. You can ...

Can you teach me kototama chanting?  Not rated yet




Question:
Could you teach me Kototama chanting?
My answer:
Thank you for your question. Kototama or Kotodama as it is often called ...

What is the symbol at the top of the Jizo Bosatsu page?  Not rated yet
The Question

I assume there is some importance to it as it is displayed largly on this page and I have seen in other Jizo resources. However I am ...

NAM MYOHO RENGE KO  Not rated yet

The Question

What is the meaning of this chant?

What is the significance?

Is it for spiritual advancement or for material gains?

My ...

Which Are The 192 Countries Nichiren Buddhism Is Present in?  Not rated yet
The Question:

Nichiren Buddhism went to 192 countries so far.

I need to know which are the 192 countries so that I can list them out. I'm a leader ...

Forms of Buddhism  Not rated yet
Question:
I would like to know if all forms of Buddhism follow the same teachings. For example, is Japanese Buddhism similar to Zen Buddhism, and ...

Buddhism and Belief in God  Not rated yet
Question:
 
I was reading your Facts about Buddhism and your 10th Fact is one that I have been hung up on since developing myself into the ...

Please could you recommend any books on the teachings of Buddhism?  Not rated yet
The Question:
Can you recommend any books on the teachings of Buddhism?
Thank you.
My Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
Before ...