[DavidQD]

These are some additional questions I have if anyone would like to answer:

1. What would you say are the most important components of the Buddhism faith? The core components of Buddhism (I think faith is a little misleading) for me are the identification of suffering and why it occurs, how to alleviate that suffering through an application of the lord Buddha's teachings.

2. How has your faith impacted your life? It has made me happier and Kinder. I have more clarity, more energy and more freedom. I am less prone to fear and more prone to laughter.

3. What holidays and celebrations do you observe? I have four core observations during the Lunar month other than the usual holiday celebrations within the Vajrayana calendar (I do not always celebrate the usual ones) Although unless on retreat I always celebrate the monthly ones even if I am alone.

4. In your own words, how would you summarize Buddhism? It is the means to see clearly how the universe works (that includes us) why we suffer and how to no longer suffer.

5. What made you choose to follow Buddhism? I am not sure I really had a choice as such...how do you unlearn a truth? I could not unlearn its truth!

6. What are some of the challenges within practicing Buddhism? for me my challenges are laziness, stupidity, anger, pride, ego etc etc but within the Buddhist path all these stupid faults are also a means to learn and transcend suffering so the challenges are also the means, or the path.

7. What are the traditions of Buddhism, and how have these traditions changed over time? Wow massive question. In terms of teachings or Dharma With the greatest respect to my Theravadin brothers and sisters. I follow a school that considers the scriptures that were brought together initially sometime after the death of Lord Buddha (and held by most Theravadins as the definitive teachings) as only part of Lord Buddha's teachings. Many of us believe in contrast to many of our Theravadin brothers and sisters that Lord Buddha (and other Buddhas) have taught many methods to liberation.

8. What effect has the Western culture had on Buddhism? Wow another huge question....I suppose it depends what you really mean by Buddhism..If you mean real Buddhism the science of liberation then the answer is hardly any at all! However if you mean the Buddhism of temples and chat rooms of labels and appearances then lots.

9. How does karma and reincarnation work? I don't know....fully it's complexities however Karma is volition, having willed one acts with body speech and thought. reincarnation I have no comment on.

10. How would you compare Buddhism to other faiths? [/QUOTE]
I would not!!!! I have not the knowledge nor the intellectual prowess to fully comprehend my own 'faith' how then I am to compare one that I have neither studied nor practiced. There is a tendency for us to judge others and others faiths as this or that..normally as inferior. I do not fully understand all paths nor have I travelled them.
I could critique Christian theology and debate the right and wrongs of the Catholic church, this would be very easy for me. It would probably make me look superior, learned and pious in comparison however mystics like Henri Le Saux, swami Abhishiktananda was of that faith and that path as have many other great mystics and saints and I am not qualified to judge them, quite simply their compassion and wisdom are greater than mine. This can also be said of certain Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims etc ....

Thank You