Religion

Due to the nature of this combat system, it has been imbedded in the religion or philosophy of Buddhism.. The student need not fear the indoctrination into Buddhism although some respect and honoring of tradition will be expected. Buddhist morality and concentration will benefit the student in advancing through his or her training. The outmost tenet of Buddhism is tolerance towards all system of beliefs. Buddhism is no longer considered a strange teaching filled with superstition and idol worship, but is now understood by the intellectual community of the world as a religion of enlightenment entirely in accordance with the latest findings of science and the highest of ethics. In order to clarify the understanding of Buddhism as a religion or as a philosophy I have put to writing the answers to the most frequently asked questions asked by non Buddhist. They relate mainly to Zen Buddhism as it is the branch most associated with Asian martial arts all over the world. They are in short form as a synopsis, as written in the book entitled “ Buddhism and Zen” by Nyogen Senzaki and Ruth Strout Mcandless.

What does a Buddhist believe or worship?
In reality Buddhist do not actually believe, for the most part they understand , and they don’t worship but practice what they understand.

Is Buddha an oriental God or Deity?
No, definitely not, he was a human being just like you I , he was a student of philosophy and an ultimate seeker of truth.

If Buddha was not a God, then do Buddhists believe in God?
They don’t believe in a personal god apart from the Universe or outside the Universe. Buddhist understand the Universe and God to be one and the same.They believe all life is One, be it mortal or divine.All things return to one and one operates in all, they don't believe in an infinity with a remainder.There is only One existence.

If there is no God like in the Christian,Jewish Muslim or any other religion, then who created the the Universe?
Buddhist see the world and the Universe as a phenomenon of flux consisting of various relations,but not created by a divinity. Being that God and the Universe are One then it would be a contradiction to say that God created itself. In essence the answer to this question is very complicated and better answered in person by a Monk.But it should be said that they are not really bothered by the question, they tend not to speculate on what they don't know by experience. There are extensive publications on the subject that can be researched at will.

Then what is the first cause, the very beginning of everything?
Some religions answer God,Allah.Brahma.Jehovah or something else outside of the individual.Buddhism sweeps all idle speculation and teaches you to find the answer in your own realization.It teaches that when you fulfill all the requirements you will know the answer.

Why all the reference to “ Buddha” if he is not a God?
The word “ Buddha” suggests an enlightened mental state or condition.Buddhahood is a goal that anyone can attain with the right effort. Images of the Buddha are not to be worshipped or prayed to for fortune or health.It is only a reminder of one’s own future possibility. The Buddha said: “ If you try to see me through my form, or if you try to hear me through my voice, you will never reach me and will remain forever a stranger to my teachings.”

Are there Commandment like rules followed by Buddhist?
Yes, they are called precepts.Monks and Nuns keep over two hundred precepts. American Buddhist keep 3 precepts. 1. Avoid all evil thoughts and evil actions. 2. Attain good thoughts and good actions. 3. Develop Wisdom. All these can be attained through the practice of the Noble Eightfold Path and the Four Noble Truths. All these can be easily researched at will.

What is the attitude of Buddhism towards other religions?
Other religions have had past views in which they have seen the need to destroy before they construct. Buddhism has no destructive or evangelical like intentions towards other religions This is the distinctive mark of Buddhism by which Buddhist missionary work is differentiated from the Christian and Moslem missionaries. They accept what is true and good in all religions and they study the scriptures of all faiths. There is no bloodstain on the history of Buddhist missionaries and in no instance have they tried to destroy the customs of the people nor the faith of those they have come in contact with all throughout history.

So enter our “ Butokuden” without fear.