Questions I get asked as a Buddhist

As a young female British Buddhist I get asked many questions time after time, so I thought I would share some of the questions and my answers in a blog post. I must stress that the answers are from a personal perspective and don't ring true of all Buddhists but hopefully my answers will give you an insight into living as a Buddhist in the UK.

If you're a proper Buddhist then why isn't your head shaved?

I'm a lay Buddhist, only ordained Buddhists (Monks and Nuns) are required to have a shaved head and even then you're not required to be completely bald.

Are you a vegan?

You don't have to be a vegan to be a Buddhist, however one of the 5 precepts of Buddhism is to abstain from harming other living beings which if I'm not mistaken includes not eating them. I'm currently a vegetarian but ideally I want to be a vegan.

Can you have sexual relationships?

Again, I'm not ordained so taking a vow of celibacy is not required. However I have taken my pratimoksha vows that require me not to engage in sexual misconduct (I.e. knowingly sleeping with someone else's husband).

Do you sit and chant for hours on end like in the films?

Many non-Buddhists get meditation and chanted-prayers (Pujas) mixed up. The chanting seen in films is usually demonstrating a Puja. Whilst many practicing Buddhists go to Puja on a daily basis I only attend Puja a couple of times each month (the longest one lasting 3.5 hours). Meditation practice is more important to me right now.

Do you do yoga at the Buddhist centre?

No. I like yoga but it's not a Buddhist practice.

What is your daily practice?

Personally, I meditate for around 30 minutes a day. I go to classes to strengthen my practice a couple of times a week and read books. I also attend Pujas (chanted prayers) when possible. I make shrine offerings at the Buddhist centre once or twice a week. My aims are to meditate for longer and learn how to count mantras.

Is the Dalai Lama your Pope?

A Pope is strictly Catholic, so simply put, no. The Dalai Lama would be referred to as a spiritual guide and each of the many Buddhist traditions has a different spiritual guide who is an enlightened person who teaches Buddhas teachings. My Spiritual Guide is Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.

Are you allowed to watch shows and films and listen to music that don't pass on a Buddhist message?

Yes, there are Dharma teachings everywhere.

Are you allowed to have possessions?

Yes, it's just ideal not yo get attached to them.