common misconceptions about Buddhism (attend, experience, theist, faith, muslim)

[lilithu]

Namaste Yall! I am helping to develop a workshop aimed at fostering greater understanding and respect between people of different faiths in the workplace. This issue is very important to me and I would like to do the best job I can. And I could use your help. My question to you is: what in your experience, are the most common and/or most harmful misconceptions about Buddhism that you've encountered from non-Buddhists? Your responses will help me to focus the workshop more effectively.

Thanks!
-lilith

[Engyo]

Lilithu -

The most common misconception is that Buddha is somehow supernatural - that he is somehow more than human. Buddha was a fully realized human being; what he attained is attainable by any human being. Neither Buddha, nor any of the Bodhisattvas, are "above" any of us; they are not deities, and Buddhism is NOT theistic.

The second most common misconception is that Buddhism is nihilistic - that the eradication of desire leads to a life sitting and doing nothing, because nothing matters. Instead, it leads to a life devoted to helping others accomplish the same; to eradicate the desires that are leading them to suffering.

Is this sort of what you are looking for?

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by Engyo

Is this sort of what you are looking for?

Namaste Engyo!

So glad to hear from you. Are your loved ones and your home ok?

Yes, that was exactly what I was looking for. I'd already addressed the nihlist misconception in my notes but did not think about the first one. You're right, that would be very important to address. Thanks!

The difficulty is, of course, that even some self-described Buddhists make this mistake about the Buddha.

-lilith

[Engyo]

Originally Posted by lilithu

Namaste Engyo!

So glad to hear from you. Are your loved ones and your home ok?

Family is fine; there was a big limb down, and our power didn't come back up until 6:00pm yesterday, but could have been much, much worse. Thanks!

[lilithu]

Namaste Yall! As I said, I am helping to develop a workshop aimed at fostering greater understanding and respect between people of different faiths in the workplace. Having looked at my presentation so far, my boss wants me to give a little more practical information about potentials for offense between people of different faiths. For example, I wouldn't generally offer a practicing Hindu a hamburger, or a practicing Jew or Muslim a ham sandwich. So I am back, asking you guys if you also have any suggestions in that arena with regards to Buddhism.

Thanks!
-lilith

[Engyo]

Lilithu -

As far as offense goes, Buddhists don't get easily offended. One thing is that Japanese Buddhists (or Buddhists practicing Japanese forms of Buddhism) are different from most others. Tibetans and Japanese Buddhists will often (but not always) eat meat. Japanese Buddhists may or may not drink alcohol. Japanese Buddhist clergy will generally marry; most others will not. Some Southeast Asian Buddhists will not kill insects; some will.

Displaying Buddhist images in a disrespectful fashion is likely to get a rise; were you aware of the Buddha bikini issue last year? Some protested the Miss World pageant this year in Thailand, when models in bikinis posed in front of a Thai Wat temple.

As long as one is generally respectful, he or she shouldn't have any real trouble with Buddhists. That is probably true for any group for that matter; but there are no really absolute taboos in Buddhism. Things may be strongly advised against, but the decision in each case belongs to the individual; this leads to a generally tolerant attitude towards others.

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by Engyo

Lilithu -

As far as offense goes, Buddhists don't get easily offended. One thing is that Japanese Buddhists (or Buddhists practicing Japanese forms of Buddhism) are different from most others. Tibetans and Japanese Buddhists will often (but not always) eat meat. Japanese Buddhists may or may not drink alcohol. Japanese Buddhist clergy will generally marry; most others will not. Some Southeast Asian Buddhists will not kill insects; some will.

Displaying Buddhist images in a disrespectful fashion is likely to get a rise; were you aware of the Buddha bikini issue last year? Some protested the Miss World pageant this year in Thailand, when models in bikinis posed in front of a Thai Wat temple.

As long as one is generally respectful, he or she shouldn't have any real trouble with Buddhists. That is probably true for any group for that matter; but there are no really absolute taboos in Buddhism. Things may be strongly advised against, but the decision in each case belongs to the individual; this leads to a generally tolerant attitude towards others.

Namaste Engyo,

that is what I thought. Afterall, offense comes from attachment.

Yes, I saw the Buddha bikini last year and was momentarily offended, but then decided that it is not the image of the Buddha itself that is sacred. Still, it shows a sad lack of respect.

I attend sutta classes in the basement of a Southeast Asian Buddhist temple. The basement has become infested with rats attracted to the rice stored there. Sometimes as we read the suttas we can hear the rats fighting behind the walls. I love that juxtaposition, and the fact that the monks have not done anything to get rid of them.

Once again, glad that you and yours are safe.
-lilith

[muichimotsu]

Especially annoying misconception I've gotten a lot.

"Do you worship Buddha?" And half the time, they don't even spell it right anyway. They also seem to take the Chinese Buddha as the only Buddha. Always calling him a "fat guy" and all. Any other misconceptions... That we believe in reincarnation. There's a very big difference between ReINCARNATION and ReBIRTH, namely the words after Re, and otherwise, there is the fact that in ReINCARNATION, it is the exact same person, whereas in ReBIRTH, it is only the consciousness of the person being transferred into something else, and when it gains life, it becomes another consciousness altogether from the person that originally possessed it. Of course, this ties into the whole "not self" thing that confuses a lot of people, even myself sometimes, lol.