(Dean) The word "buddha" means "awakened one."
(Dean) Siddhartha Gautama was deemed a buddha when he found the path
to supreme enlightenment.
(Dean) This released him from what Buddhists believe is a continuous cycle of birth,
suffering, death, and rebirth.
(McBee) We believe the soul is eternal, so the causes that we make
determine how we will be reborn.
(McBee) We don't believe that we have one life and this is it and we go to heaven,
as Christians do.
(Dean) Buddhism emphasizes the value of all life and all faiths.
(Horibe) One of the Buddhist teachings is that there are 84,000 ways to find the truth,
and whether you take the way of Islam, Christianity, Judaism, if this helps you
to live better and to believe that this life is precious, then I think that's wonderful.
(P. Boonshoo Sriburin) Buddha's message is a message for peace, for harmony,
for enlightenment, for a higher [grid].
(Dean) Meditation and chanting are important Buddhist practices.
(Dean) These are performed both formally and informally.
(George Costakis) Formal practice would be such as here at the temple, sitting on a pillow,
or chanting at the altar with the rest of the temple, or alone, or at home in the morning,
or in bed, before going to bed.
(Costakis) And then informal practice would be something like that you are in your car
during rush hour.
(McBee) I like to tell people, you know, I'm a Buddhist, and this is what I'm going to do
right now, so that you don't think I am ill, or I'm speaking some strange language;
I'm doing this deliberately, and this is why I'm doing it.
(McBee) And I'll just chant out loud.
(Dean) Buddhist temples hold public services throughout the week.
(Dean) There is no mandatory day of worship, but Sundays are busy at Buddhist temples
in Chicago.
(Dean) When entering a Buddhist temple, it is respectful to remove your shoes.
(Dean) Buddhist monks and nuns are greeted with folded hands and a nod.
(Dean) Traditional handshaking with a lay Buddhist is acceptable, but monks and nuns
have no physical contact with the opposite sex.
(Dean) Monks and many lay Buddhists are vegetarians.
(Dean) Monks eat only an early morning and late morning meal; they eat no food
after 12 noon.
(Dean) Though they live rather cloister lives, there is nothing that prevents monks
from interacting with police.
(Dean) But keep in mind, due to persecution in other countries, new immigrants
may be intimidated by police, though that is changing.
(Sriburin) Now, I think there's more understanding, with regards to that section
of the police, and how the police also are human beings, to serve or to protect
the security of all people.
(Dean) Statues of various Buddhas are not considered sacred, but police officers
are asked to treat them respectfully, whether within a temple or a business
or private home.
(Horibe) Altars are a special place for meditation, and for inward practice meditation,
so just showing respect when you enter the room, and not start tearing things apart.
(Lane) It's very common, even in an American Buddhist home, to have a space
set aside for these objects, probably some incense, perhaps a bell that's used
in meditation.
(Horibe) You can take off your shoes -- many times because of the situation,
many Americans of different ethnic backgrounds don't ask you to take your shoes off
when you enter their house, but if you can keep your eyes open, and be aware
that if you see shoes outside, then you can remove your shoes.
(Dean) Some altars are called [boonsidans], and may contain a scroll called a [gohonsam].
(Dean) Some Buddhists may also carry a prayerbook called a [gungyo] book
and meditation beads.
(Costakis) Some people carry around the meditation beads; you might see them,
they're little wooden beads; sometimes they have them on their wrist;
sometimes they wear them around their neck.
(McBee) The gungyo book and the beads can be handled.
(John Michael Schuh) Anything that is a part of someone's faith should be treated
with respect.
(Dean) Buddhist customs and courtesies vary, depending on ethnic backgrounds.
(Lane) The thing to key on is really the ethnic or national background of the person.
(Lane) Thai people, Southeast Asian Buddhists, will have a different set of courtesies
than East Asian.
(Lane) For me, an American, just approach me the same as you would any other
Irish-American.
(Dean) When in doubt, simply ask.
(Dean) People of all backgrounds welcome courteous inquiry.
(McBee) Yes, you could ask; in fact, that would be great, because you might not know
what kind of Buddhist you're having a dialogue with, and they'd be happy to tell you
what their limitations are, if they have any.
(Dean) There are many different sects of Buddhism, and many different customs
and practices.
(Dean) There are several things to consider when interacting with followers of Buddhism.
(Dean) Remove your shoes when entering a Buddhist temple.
(Dean) Many but not all Buddhists are vegetarians.
(Dean) Buddhist monks and nuns are greeted with folded hands and a nod.
(Dean) Monks and nuns do not touch people of the opposite sex.
(Dean) In nonemergencies, police may be asked to remove their shoes
before entering some Buddhist homes.
(Dean) Statues of the Buddha are not sacred, but should be treated respectfully.
(Dean) Personal scrolls called gohonsams should not be touched by police, unless
absolutely necessary.
(Dean) Police may handle articles such as prayerbooks and meditation beads.
(Dean) All of the people we encounter on a daily basis expect to be treated with dignity
and respect.
(Dean) Those who practice Buddhism are no exception.
(Dean) It is our hope that this video will serve to enlighten and foster a new awareness
and understanding.
(Dean) Thanks for watching, and as always, stay safe.
Close Window