gavesako wrote:A Thai friend who is doing an MA in the Study of Religions would like know more about the views and attitudes of Western Buddhists. If you would like to help her, please answer the questions below (it could also be an interesting survey for Dhammawheel users in general).
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I am interested in Buddhism in the West.
I would like to know how Westerners practice Buddhism and their perspectives.
Thus, if you don't mind , could you please answers questions as follows;
1. Are you a Buddhist?
Yes
2. Are you interested in Buddhism because of the meditation?
There are many reasons I'm interested in Buddhism, and meditation is certainly one of those reasons.
3. If you are a Buddhist, do you see ‘ meditation’ as most relevant to the Dhamma practice rather than other social meritorious activities? why?
In my tradition, our practices are carried on throughout the day in all of our activities. Social meritorious activities are very important too. I'm not sure I can qualify one as being more significant than the other at this point. It's all important and part of the path. But I can say that the sadhanas (practices) that we do are hugely important.
4. Do you think to give material requisites to monks (Dana) can generate merits across Samsara (transferring to next lives)?
and how this activity is important to you?
I believe that in addition to giving dana, a lot of wholesome karma can and will carry on to our next life. We can't know the inner workings and details of karma and vipaka such as when karmic fruit will ripen. I also believe that meritorious actions can serve as a way to purify negative karma, which can span across lifetimes.
5. Name (can be a fake name), nationality, sex, status (monastic / lay), education (such as BA etc.) , martial status , age
Laura, from the United States, female, laity, BA in psychology, divorced, 37.