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Question 74: MOST RELIGIONS FOCUS ON THE AFTERLIFE, FOLLOWERS HOPE TO ASCEND TO HIGHER REALMS AND DWELL WITH DEITIES AFTER DEATH. WHAT IS BUDDHISM’S VIEW ON THIS?
Answer: The Buddha taught about six realms of existence into which all beings can be reborn. So understanding these realms is essential for guiding one’s spiritual practice appropriately. However, according to the Buddha’s teachings, the existence of beings in none of these realms is permanent. Depending on the amount of… Read more ⇢
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Question 73: IN RECENT YEARS, GLOBAL WARMING HAS BECOME A SIGNIFICANT THREAT TO LIFE ON EARTH. HOW DOES BUDDHISM VIEW THIS ISSUE?
Answer: Scientists have long warned that the use of fossil fuels, such as oil and coal, releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This carbon dioxide traps the sun’s heat, causing the temperature of the atmosphere on Earth to rise continuously. Today, everyone can clearly feel this intense heat everywhere. Even… Read more ⇢
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Question 72: ACCORDING TO THE LAW OF KARMA, WHAT CAUSES WAR?
Answer: When a king of one country raises an army to attack another, several factors must come together: For some unknown reason, the king feels a strong urge to launch an attack and conquer the neighboring country, possibly to seize more territory. This desire is very powerful. The king has… Read more ⇢
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Question 71: DOES BUDDHISM OFFER ANY SOLUTIONS TO THE ISSUE OF GLOBAL POVERTY?
Answer: According to the Law of Karma, poverty can stem from various causes. It might be because in a past life, one was stingy and unwilling to help those in need; or it could be the result of wasting resources such as money, food, or clothing. It may also stem… Read more ⇢
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Question 70: IN BUDDHISM, COMPASSION ENCOMPASSES ALL BEINGS, EVEN PLANTS. HOWEVER, IN REALITY, THERE ARE VARIOUS LEVELS OF COMPASSION WE SHOULD PRACTICE, RANGING FROM SMALL TO LARGE. COULD YOU EXPLAIN THIS IN MORE DETAIL?
Answer: We have various levels of love that expand gradually: Loving only oneself Loving only one’s immediate family Loving extended family and friends Loving colleagues and comrades Loving the surrounding community Loving one’s country Loving humanity Loving all sentient beings Looking at this ladder of love, we can see that… Read more ⇢
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Question 69: WHAT IS BUDDHISM’S PERSPECTIVE ON WHETHER CHILDREN SHOULD OBEY THEIR PARENTS OR TRY TO BE STRONG AND INDEPENDENT?
Answer: When parents bring a child into the world, they naturally love and care for the child with great dedication. Since the child is still young and naive, parents feel a strong sense of ownership over their child. This sense of ownership motivates parents to take on the responsibility of… Read more ⇢
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Question 68: TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS, PEOPLE MUST PUT IN A LOT OF EFFORT, AND THAT DETERMINATION IS ALSO A SIGN OF INNER STRENGTH. MANY EDUCATIONAL APPROACHES ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF PERSONAL STRENGTH. DOES THIS CONTRADICT THE BUDDHIST CONCEPT OF SELFLESSNESS AND ALTRUISM?
Answer: Truth is never one-dimensional; it is always comprehensive. According to Buddhism, to achieve success, one needs the merit accumulated in the past and the efforts in the present. Additionally, the support of Divine Beings may also play a role. In the past, to accumulate merit, a person must have… Read more ⇢
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Question 67: HOW SHOULD A BUDDHIST BE CONSCIOUS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION?
Answer: In the past, the world did not yet raise the issue of environmental protection. However, thanks to scientific advancements, humanity has come to realize that survival on Earth depends on many crucial factors such as clean air, clean water, clean food, biodiversity, vast forests, and more. Unfortunately, these elements… Read more ⇢
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Question 66: CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF COMPASSION IN BUDDHISM?
Answer: Society exists because people love and care for one another. Through love and compassion, people develop a sense of responsibility for one another, and this care helps to alleviate suffering in the world. However, there’s a paradox: because human love is often limited, we tend to favor those we… Read more ⇢
ABOUT THE AUTHOR JANNA
JANNA is the pen name of a certain monk who does not wish to use his real name. He is likely mature enough to understand that fame, wealth, and glory are as fleeting as morning mist.
In Pali, “JANNA” means purity, so it’s unclear which country he’s from. However, he seems to have studied the Nikaya scriptures.
Although he writes about Buddhism, he appears to desire unity with other religions to contribute to the cause of world peace. He attempts to demonstrate how differences can complement one another…
