[AntonioXYZ]

Hi Krissy,

Buddhism is mostly ways of personal & spiritual development. Buddhism has a large number & variety of practices so the important starting point is to define your needs. Once an individual defines their needs, then they can choose the appropriate teachings for their situation. Why this is necessary is because some Buddhist teachings can get quite esoteric, which may not be what one is looking for.

Buddhist does not believe in "God". For the most part, the Buddhist teachings are based in natural truth. For example, Buddhism encourages the same ethical or moral frameworks as Christianity. However, these ethical frameworks are not commandments of God. Instead, the Buddhist rationale is moral living abides with non-harming. In Buddhism, refaining from murder, stealing, adultery, dishonesty, etc, leads to a human being not harming themself or harming another. It maintains personal integrity and social trustworthiness.

Similarly, Buddhism, like Christianity, promotes the development & practise of a loving mind, which is called the Four Divine Dwellings, namely, universal love, compassion, appreciation & equinimity. The purpose here is simply that developing these mental attitudes leads to happiness & freedom.

The rationale for every Buddhist teaching is to lead to individual & social happiness & well-being (rather than to conform to the commandments of God).

On a higher level, Buddhism teaches about the nature of suffering. Again, these teachings simply follow scientific or natural psychological principles. For example, Buddhism states human beings suffer because of ignorance and unrealistic expectations. If a human being can free their mind from ignorance and unrealistic expectations, their mind will be free from suffering.

In Buddhism, everything is created by nature, including our mind. More importantly, our happiness & suffering are created by our own mind.

Buddhists are not necessary vegan. Many Buddhists are vegetarian because they see such a mode of food consumption abides with non-harming and respect for all life forms. However, there are not rules in the Buddhism about this. It is a matter of personal choice.

Your questions are not silly.

Thank you for asking your questions


Kind regards