vietnamese version

How Does One Become Good Buddhist...

Excerpted from "Buddhism For Beginners" by ven. Narada Maha Thera

1. How does one become a good Buddhist?
One becomes a Buddhist by taking the Three Refuges.

2. What are the Three Refuges?
The Three Refuges are the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.

3. Who is the Buddha?
The Buddha is the All-Knowing One.

4. Why do you seek refuge in the Buddha?
I seek refuge in the Buddha because He taught us the way to end all suffering.

5. Is the Buddha our Teacher?
Yes, the Buddha is our greatest Teacher.

6. What is the Dharma?
The Dharma is the Doctrine taught by the Buddha.

7. Why do you seek refuge in the Dharma?
I seek refuge in the Dharma because it is the only path to end all suffering.

8. Who is the Sangha?
The Sangha is the Holy Order founded by the Buddha.

9. Why do you seek refuge in the Sangha?
I seek refuge in the Sangha because they are the Holy Disciples who have understood the Dharma.

10. Can anyone become a Buddhist?
Anyone who believes in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha can become a Buddhist.

THE FIVE PRECEPTS


11. Are there any commandments for a Buddhist to observe?
There are no commandments but only precepts to observe.

12. What does precept denote?
It denotes discipline or good behavior.

13. What is the first precept?
The first precept is not to kill.

14. What is the second precept?
The second precept is not to steal.

15. What is the third precept?
The third precept is not to be unchaste (misconduct) or not to be a bad child.

16. What is the fourth precept?
The fourth precept is not to lie.

17. What is the fifth precept?
The fifth precept is not to drink alcohol (or any unmindful consumption such as food, TV, magazines...)

HOW TO BECOME GOOD BUDDHISTS


18. How does one become a good Buddhist?
By observing thee five precepts well.

19. Why do you not kill?
I do not kill because of pity for others.

20. What is the benefit of giving up killing?
I become kind and full of empathy.

21. Why do you not steal?
I do not steal because I have no right to take what is not given.

22. What is the benefit of giving up stealing?
I become a honest person.

23. Why do you not committing misconduct?
I do not become misconduct (unchaste) because I do not wish to be a person of bad character.

24. What is the good of giving up unchaste?
I become pure and good.

25. Why do you not lie?
I do not lie because nobody would then believe in my words.

26. What is the benefit of giving up lying?
I become truthful and trustful.

27. Why do you not drink alcohol or consume unmindful things?
I don not drink because it leads to loss of consciousness/senses and it harms my body.

28. What is the benefit of giving up drinking and unmindful consumption?
I become healthy and my senses become clear.

HOMAGE TO THE BUDDHA


29. Do you regard the Buddha as a God?
No. He is even higher than Gods.

30. Do you believe in a God-creator?
There is no reason to believe in a God-creator.

31. Do you worship images and trees?
We do not worship images and trees.

32. Why do you then worship the image of the Buddha?
We only pay our respect to what that image stands for.

33. Why do you worship the Bodhi Tree?
Bodhi Tree stands for Enlightenment. By saluting the Bodhi Tree we pay respect to Buddhahood.

34. Do you pray to the Buddha?
We do not pray to anyone. When we pray we become a prey.

35. What do you say before the Buddha's image?
We recite His virtues.

36. What is the use of an image?
An image helps us to think of the Buddha easily.

37. Can anyone think of the Buddha without an image?
An intelligent person can do so.

38. Why do you offer flowers and incense to the Buddha?
We do so as an outward form of respect to the Buddha.

39. What do you think when you are offering flowers?
We think that as those flowers fade we also fade and die.

40. What do you mean by Sadhu?
Sadhu means excellent.

41. What is the best way to respect the Buddha?
By following His advice.

42. What is the advice of all the Buddhas?
Not to do evil,
to do good,
to purify one's mind,
That is the advice of all the Buddhas.

43. What is the Pali word for evil?
Papa or Akusala is the Pali word for evil.

44. What is evil?
Evil is any actions or thinking that cause suffering to oneself or others.

45. What are the roots of evil?
The roots of evil are lust, hatred and ignorance.

46. How many kinds of evil are there?
There are ten kinds of evil.

47. How are they caused?
They are caused by actions, speech, and thoughts.

48. How many kinds of evil are caused by actions?
Three kinds of evil are caused by actions.

49. What are they?
They are killing, stealing and misconduct.

50. How many kinds of evil are caused by speech?
Four kinds of evil are caused by words.

51. What are they?
Lying, slandering, harsh speech, and vain talk.

52. How many kinds of evil are caused by thoughts?
Three kinds of evil are caused by thoughts.

53. What are they?
Greediness, anger and wrong views.

54. What is the Pali word for good?
Kusala or Punna is the Pali word for good.

55. What is good?
Good is anything that help cleanse one's mind.

56. Why is anything good?
Because it gives happiness to oneself and others.

57. Is there another term for good?
Merit is another term for good.

58. How many kinds of merit are there?
There are three kinds of merit.

59. Mention them.
Dana (charitable giving), Sila (morality/virtuous conduct) & Bhavana (meditation)

60. What will you get rid of by practicing morality?
You will get rid of ill-will or hatred.

61. What will you get rid of by practicing meditation?
You will get rid of ignorance by practicing mediation.

62. Can children practice charitable giving?
Yes, by helping the needy and the poor, and by helping those who are worthy of honor.

63. Who are those worthy of honor?
They are parents, teachers, elders, and Holy Ones.

64. Can children practice morality?
Yes, by observing the precepts.

65. Can children practice meditation?
Yes, they can practice some kinds of meditation.

66. What is the best meditation for children?
Loving-kindness.

67. How should one practice loving-kindness?
By repeating every morning and night for ten times:
"May all beings be happy and safe, and may their hearts be filled with joy."

68. Is there any other verse?
"Let no one do harm to anyone. Let no one put the life of anyone in danger. Let no one out of danger or ill will wish anyone any harm."

1.   What should a Buddhist do and learn first?
First, a Buddhist should understand the fundamental teachings of the Buddha. Next, the practitioner must have a right belief in the Three Gems (Buddha, Dharma & Sangha), and finally he must take the five precepts as rules for daily living.

2. Why should the Buddhist follow that order?
Because one needs to understand the purpose of one’s actions before doing them. Profound understanding may bring a true belief and proper actions in order to bring benefit to oneself, one’s family and society.

3. What are the essential teachings of the Buddha?
Not to commit evil. To do good. To purify the mind.

4. What is evil?
Any action, speech or thought that is unsuitable and harmful to ourselves and others in the present or the future.

5. What is pure thinking?
It is good thinking, not angry, not envious, not causing suffering to ourselves and others. When pure thinking appears as action, the action is right; when it appears as speech, the speech is gentle. It makes our lives and the lives of others happy and beautiful.

6. What is the history of Buddhism? It is a bright history, never causing any suffering to anyone, never engaged in any holy war. To the contrary, wherever Buddhism went, there was peace.

7. What is the conclusion about Buddhism? Over 26 centuries, Buddha and his disciples are good examples. They cultivated all good actions and eliminated all unwholesome actions.

8. What has allowed Buddhism to maintain that integrity?
Purifying the mind. When the mind is peaceful, the action is entirely wholesome.

9. What should a person do first to fulfill the three main practices mentioned above?
One should be willing to have a right belief in the Three Gems. A sutra says: “Right belief is the mother of blessing.”

10.  What is a right belief?
It is a belief in  right, good, logical way in order to obtain a real benefit. For example, believing in the law of cause and effect, believing that a good cause will result in a good effect. Such cause gives such effect like a shadow or a mirror image.

11. Why are Buddha, Dharma and Sangha called the Three Precious Gems?
An ordinary person thinks that silver, gold, diamonds, jade, supreme authority or notable occupation are permanently good, but when a sudden disaster comes, such as robbery, illness, accident, etc… the above precious things won’t replace what is lost. In fact, sometimes they may cause more suffering. Fames are impermanent; gold and diamonds are changeable, nobody can keep them forever. In this unstable world, a boss can become an employee and vice-visa. However, Buddha, Dharma and Sangha are permanent, happy, real and purified. They help humankind without distinguishing between friends and foes, between relatives and non-relatives. This is due to the four Virtues: Permanence, Happiness, Self, and Purification. Thus, Buddha, Dharma and Sangha are called the three Precious Gems.

The Law of Cause and Effect


1. Is it okay to take the Five Precepts but not take refuge in the Three Gems? Taking refuge is right seeing; keeping the five precepts is right method. A sutra says: “Right seeing is more important than right action.”

Keeping the five precepts but not taking refuge is just generating merit in the human and heavenly realms. However, without the guidance of the Three Gems, one may fall into the three lower realms after the merit is depleted.

2. Right belief is believing in the Law of Cause and Effect. What is this law?
Cause is a source of origination like a seed; Effect is the result of it like the fruit on the tree. The fruit was born from the seed; the same seed always produces the same fruit, never mixed up.

The law of cause and effect is like that; there is no result without one or many sources. When there is a cause, of course there will be an effect. The law of cause and effect affects our lives and the universe. There is nothing not affected by the Law of Cause and effect. Indeed, most of Buddha’s lessons taught nothing but the Law of Cause and Effect.

3. What is the relationship between the Law of Cause and Effect and the Five Precepts?
Not killing but saving the lives of others and setting birds free from their cages, that are the cause of long life. Not stealing, but giving generously is the cause of stable richness. Not committing adultery is the cause of family unity. Not lying is the cause of being trusted by others. Not becoming intoxicated is the cause of wisdom. There are just a few simple ordinary effects.

4. Who created the Law of Cause and Effect?
That is a natural law as well as all other scientific laws, such as the law of gravity. Nobody created it. When the Buddha attained enlightenment, He discovered this law and explained it to us. Because this is an eternal law which means creating good causes result in good effect and vice versa. No god or saint can reverse or interfere with it.

5. Why then do we worship and bow to the Buddha?
To show our gratitude for teaching us to follow his virtues of compassion, happiness and wisdom. Also, bowing and performing deep prostration is a practice of purifying our three karma – body, speech and mind.

When bowing to the Buddha, the body is straight to revere him; thus the body is pure. Saying the Buddha’s name and nothing else, the mouth is pure. When the mind focuses on the Buddha’s virtues without bad thoughts interfering, the mind is pure. Guilty (sin) comes from body, speech and mind (three karma), thus when these three karma are pure then the sin is disappears and merit comes.

6. What is the merit of reciting the Buddha’s name?
Saying the Buddha’s name means thinking about him and his qualities. Thinking and recalling the Buddha without bad thoughts interfered is one way of generating mindfulness and purifying our mind.