About Ven. Chang Yong (常用法師):
After graduating from Dharma Drum Sangha University in 2008 with a major in Buddhist studies, Ven. Chang Yong is now the Director of DDM Laity Education Department and Supervisor of Curriculum Team at Nung Chan Monastery.
For many years, Ven. Chang Yong has been on the front line of introducing Buddhism to beginners. Through progressive curriculum design and diverse teaching strategies, Ven. Chang Yong helps those who are interested in learning Buddhist teachings to build correct views step by step. In this issue, we invite Ven. Chang Yong to answer beginners’ common questions about Buddhism, enabling everyone to embark on the Bodhi Path smoothly.
Q1: How should I prepare for learning Buddhism?
With the abundance of information about Buddhism available on the Internet, it is easy for those curious about Buddhism or just beginning to learn Buddhist teachings to access such content. On the other hand, this profusion of information can make it difficult to decide where to start.
Whether for beginners or experienced practitioners, learning Buddhist teachings must involve the three steps of hearing, thinking, and practicing.
“Hearing” means to listen, watch, and sense. The first step can involve taking an introductory course to understand what Buddhism is about, including its teachings. After hearing about it, we can further “think” to see how the Dharma we have heard relates to our life, what influence it can have on us, and what problems it can solve. “Practicing” means applying what we have learned from Buddhist teachings when encountering problems in life.
Learning Buddhist teachings will be more fruitful through the three steps of “hearing, thinking, and practicing.”
Learning and practicing Buddhist teachings doesn’t necessarily mean adopting a vegetarian diet, maintaining a plain appearance, or cutting off interactions and entertainment with family and friends. While Buddhism may seem like a religion, it is more of an attitude toward life. Making a lot of changes all at once can lead to stress, making it difficult for people to willingly learn and apply Buddhist teachings under such stress. Therefore, in the beginning, we should approach learning Buddhism as adopting a different attitude toward life, without drastically changing our lifestyles.
Most long-time Buddhist practitioners have a simple temperament. This is because they have learned from the Buddha-dharma that true happiness arises from inner equanimity. With spiritual abundance, we no longer need to pretend to be someone we are not. Our attitude towards life will shift from “more is better” to “less is more.” Additionally, as we become more accustomed to exploring our inner selves, we will gradually become less interested in seeking external pleasure and excitement.
By understanding the reasons behind Buddhist teachings, we can avoid mistaking the practice for living a passive life full of constraint and lacking in material enjoyments.
Illustrator: 菊子
Q2: There are many religious groups. How can I tell if their beliefs are correct?
We can read introductory books on Buddhism such as Orthodox Chinese Buddhism (正信的佛教) and Common Questions in the Practice of Buddhism (學佛群疑) by Master Sheng Yen. Understanding basic Buddhist concepts, such as causes and conditions, the law of cause and effect, and learning correct views can help us determine if a religious group truly embodies correct Buddhist beliefs.
When first approaching Buddhism, we should have an open-minded, rational, and critical attitude. An open-minded attitude does not mean accepting everything blindly, but rather receiving a wide range of information, including opinions that differ from our own beliefs. Otherwise, we might fail to understand them objectively. A rational and critical attitude means observing and verifying new ideas for ourselves. Even for non-Buddhists, basic judgment skills are helpful for this verification.
For example, if someone claims to be a Buddha and asks everyone to worship them, we will soon find such statements too untenable to accept. On the other hand, Buddhism teaches that everything is the mutual coalescing of myriad conditions. When we experience abdominal discomfort and recall that we might have consumed contaminated food the day before, we can verify the idea that everything is the mutual coalescing of myriad conditions.
Nowadays, with the advancement of information technology, there are numerous videos and articles on the Internet that propagate Buddhism. It is advisable to first check the professional background and dharmic lineage of the speaker or author, rather than blindly believing the content of a stranger who appears to be a Buddhist monastic or whose video contains the words “Dharma” or “Buddhism.”
Photo credit: Fan Lee (李東陽)
Q3: Is it necessary to receive precepts after taking refuge in the Three Jewels?
Taking refuge is like registering at a school. After registration, one becomes a student of the school. Learning Buddhist teachings without taking refuge in the Three Jewels is like attending classes without being officially enrolled.
One officially becomes a Buddhist by taking refuge in the Three Jewels. However, this is just the beginning. To truly benefit from the Buddha’s teachings and practices, one must receive and uphold the Five Precepts. This marks the start of learning and practicing what the Buddha himself learned and practiced. Taking refuge without taking precepts is like enrolling as a student but never attending classes, while the purpose of enrollment is to learn.
The main purpose of observing precepts is to cultivate good habits. In Buddhism, “good habits” encompass not only daily routines but also spiritual growth. Therefore, upholding precepts not only rectifies our behaviors but also helps to restrain greed, hatred, and ignorance from within. Thus, a Buddhist should not remain stagnant at the stage of merely taking refuge.
Taking the Five Precepts is ideal if conditions allow. However, it is still beneficial to observe even one or two precepts or to take refuge in the Three Jewels without receiving precepts due to insufficient conditions. Buddhism accommodates the varying circumstances of individuals, providing flexibility for lay practitioners in their observance of the Five Precepts. This demonstrates the practicality and adaptability of Buddhist precepts.
Most importantly, one should observe precepts with the aspiration and diligence to improve oneself. Therefore, even if one is unable to fully observe the Five Precepts for the time being, as long as one sincerely takes refuge in the Three Jewels and constantly endeavors to correct their mistakes, they are still considered genuine Buddhists.
Q4: I feel like a traitor for not sharing the same religious beliefs with my family members. How do I cope?
When interacting with people of different religious beliefs, Buddhists do not lay particular stress on Buddhist beliefs, nor do they highlight Buddhist teachings. Rather, Buddhists accept and understand the reality that multiple beliefs coexist. This shows that Buddhism is a religion with strong qualities of openness and inclusivity, respecting every individual’s religious beliefs.
Buddhism does not require devotees to abandon or oppose their family members’ beliefs. Instead, it encourages individuals to develop their own beliefs based on mutual understanding and respect. In the article “How Should a Buddhist Make Vows?” (佛教徒如何發願) in The Doctrine and Practice of Buddhism (佛法的知見與修行), Master Sheng Yen mentioned that it was never his intention to turn a certain percentage of the world’s population into Buddhists, since causes and conditions are beyond his control.
Photo credit: Fan Lee (李東陽)
Some people, after learning Buddhism, are eager to introduce it to their families. However, their enthusiasm may not always be effective, because it takes time for people to learn and accept Buddhism. Master Sheng Yen taught us to use the Dharma to transform ourselves and inspire others. When our family members see the change in our own behavior, they will naturally be more willing to learn about Buddhism. Deciding to take refuge in the Three Jewels does not mean betraying our family, since everyone has their own choices. There is no need to label ourselves as “traitors” simply because we hold different beliefs.
Q5: What should I do if I find it hard to fit in a Buddhist community after taking refuge?
Everyone learns Buddhism under different causes and conditions, and it is possible that, after joining a Buddhist community, some may find it difficult to fit in.
Try to keep an open mind and carefully evaluate your needs and expectations: Do you want to deepen your knowledge of Buddhism? Do you hope to find spiritual sustenance and a supportive group? Or do you wish to lessen your afflictions and gain more peace and ease in your life through learning and practicing Buddhist teachings? Objectively examine whether the Buddhist community you are joining can meet your needs.
If you find it difficult to adapt to your current community, you should respect your own choice and consider finding other Dharma centers where you can fit in. For beginners, it is advisable not to learn Buddhism on their own. The purpose of learning Buddhist teachings is to cultivate good life habits, and the collective support of a community provides more opportunities for personal transformation and growth. Unless you are highly self-disciplined, it can be challenging to make progress if you choose to learn and practice alone at home.
Photo credit: Liang Jung-nan (梁忠楠)
In addition to transforming ourselves, a Buddhist practitioner should also benefit others. Within a community, we can examine ourselves through interpersonal interactions to see if we have truly understood Buddhist concepts, as well as identify any areas where our learning may be lacking.
By keeping an open mind, any Dharma center propagating correct Buddhist beliefs can be a suitable environment for learning and practice. An open mind allows us to perceive each Buddhist community equally and gratefully, without prejudice or bias. Most importantly, by strengthening our initial aspiration and applying wisdom and patience, we are bound to find a suitable environment for spiritual cultivation.
Compiled by Lin Pei-wen (林珮雯) based on the interview with Ven. Chang Yong
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