Is Buddhism a religion or a philosophy?

Buddhism is a teaching to help us see reality, understand life, and attain inner peace. Because it deals with “truth” and “life” and “spirituality”, it is a religion. Because of the vastness and profundity of the teaching, many study it as philosophy. Most importantly, the Buddhist teaching is to be practiced and applied in our daily lives.

What is Zen (Chan)?

Widely known as Zen in the West, Chan is a state of mind, A mind of calmness, stability and clarity; A mind free of delusions and confusion; A mind in accord with true reality.

There are many schools of Buddhism, which differ not in their roots or ultimate objective of enlightenment, but rather, in their emphasis on methods of practice. Chan (Chinese) / Zen (Japanese) is one of the practices to awaken one’s mind and achieve infinite compassion, true wisdom, and supreme peace — the Buddha’s state of mind.

How do I meditate?

There are a myriad of techniques. Perhaps the simplest is to count your breath, a way to reduce wandering thoughts and calm the mind. In Buddhism, meditation is not just to relax, focus, or be calm, but a practice as part of a holistic lifestyle designed to help us understand reality and be free from suffering, even when not sitting in meditation. You can find an excellent introduction and beginner methods here.

Was the Buddha a god?

The historical Buddha, Shakyamuni Buddha, was a real person who was born as a prince over 2,500 years ago and lived in what is now India. He never claimed to be a Creator or omniscient superpower. You can read more about the Buddha’s story and his teachings here or a slightly easier version here.

Where can I learn more?

There are many great resources on meditation and Buddhism. One site we like is StudyBuddhism.com, which hosts many podcasts and videos on Tibetan Buddhism. Another site which also has guided meditations and many great teachings is ThubtenChodron.org, including a page for young adults.

Answers (and photo above) are sourced from: Chung Tai Chan Monastery (English here) including branch temple FAQs (Oklahoma City and Seattle), Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association, and Dharma Realm Buddhist Association / Dharma Realm Buddhist University.