Lesson 17 Buddhism by Rev. Wayne

1. living in Japan, I prefer Ullambana, called Obon in Japan.  It is interesting because Obon is mixed between the traditional Japanese religion of Shinto, and Buddhism. as is the case here, the two go very much hand in hand. whilst offerings and prayers are made for the dead, the festival itself takes on a Shinto nature, with a portable shrine being carried through the streets, which are turned into food stalls, etc. to make a carnival atmosphere. each town has its own traditional dance, which is done accompanying the parade of the shrine. people will go to both temple, Buddhist, and shrine, Shinto, to pray for ancestors.

2. Do not kill, even insects. let life be, and allow living beings to interact, which is a Buddhist tenement that all beings are dependent upon each other. in essence, let life flow in its predetermined direction. This saying could also illuminate the teaching of Buddha, that He be allowed to settle within you, then move on to help other beings to enlightenment.

3.  I do not think so. Buddha preached to not take life, so the act of eating meat is not taking life, in the real sense. in Japan, a Buddhist country, meat eating is common and not frowned upon.

Wayne Cuthbert
Japan.

Wayne