Buddhism is a spiritual path that is at times misunderstood by people who are unfamiliar with it.The following offers some common misconceptions concerning Buddhism along with the truthful explanations.
Buddhists believe in reincarnation
Reincarnation is the belief that a fixed identity survives and is carried on into a next life. Hinduism,which includes a belief in reincarnation, refers to this identity as Atman, while other beliefs may refer to it as the soul.
However, the Buddhist concept of rebirth is different, as it does not deal with a fixed identity or Atman, but rather the concept of anatta. This has to do with the idea of non-self or a continuous,ever-changing stream of consciousness. Rather than the memories and all that makes up the Self being reborn, there is a stream of consciousness that also includes imprints of Karma, or cause and effect. Essentially with anatta this mind stream is continuous and every moment can be seen as a rebirth.
The Buddha is a God
The Buddha (Siddhartha Guatama) was a very mortal man born in Lumbini, which is located near the Indian border of Nepal, and raised in India. His father King Suddhodana kept him shielded from the sufferings of the world but when Siddhartha was 29 he left the shelter of the palace to see his subjects. He was so troubled by the suffering and poverty that he witnessed that he left the palace, practiced meditation and went through a period of rigid asceticism. After this he went through what is known as the Enlightenment and traveled throughout India for the rest of his life teaching what is known as The teaching of the Enlightened one. He never claimed to have come from God, nor do Buddhists view him as one. He is instead viewed as a role model and teacher.
All Buddhists are vegetarians
Not all Buddhists are vegetarians; much of it depends upon personal preference or the teachings that they subscribe to. Although one of the precepts for ethical conduct does call for refraining from intentional acts of killing, there are no prohibitions for eating animals that are already dead. So, it can be said that intentional acts such as hunting and fishing are forbidden but buying meat at a grocery store is not. This interpretation of the first precept can be tricky for some followers of Buddhism and there are many who eventually choose to give up the consumption of meat.
Buddhists pray to Idols
One of the common misconceptions concerning Buddhism is that Buddhists worship the statue of Buddha. This is definitely not the case, especially since the Buddha specifically taught his followers not to treat him as a god. When Buddhists light candles meditate or bow before a statue of Buddha they are merely showing their respect or using the statue to help remind them of the teachings of Buddha.
Buddhism is all about meditation
Meditation is only one part of Buddhism and it’s not looked at as a way to relieve stress. Instead it is viewed as a way to detach from desires and to let the truths of Buddhism enter in order to achieve awakening or enlightenment. Some Buddhist sects, such as Zen Buddhism,emphasize meditation more than others
The path of Buddhism is one that gives much insight and spiritual enrichment to its followers. Hopefully this article will have helped to clear up some common misconceptions concerning this very enriching and enlightening belief system.
