Click here to listen to the interview

The guest in the studio this week was Richard Burch who was from the Brentwood Buddhist Society.  Richard from Billericay started in Buddhism since the age of 20, he was the first non-christian guest on the show and spoke to us about the Buddhist movement in the area.  Richard explained how Buddhists are different from many religions as there are no beliefs (see below for more details). 

Buddhism is not a belief system. In Buddhism the emphasis is placed on seeing or knowing for oneself and not on believing. Buddhists may still believe in certain things but they do not cling to those beliefs; they do not worry about whether their beliefs are true or not, or about trying to convert other people to Buddhism. Although Buddhism embraces over 360 million followers throughout the world, it is not evangelical. If Buddhists have a belief, then it is in tolerance.

We also spoke about the Dalai Lama, the “Four Nobel Truths”, Tibet and Monasteries, listen to the interview for more details and Richard's "Thought of the Day"

Meditations are on Tuesday nights at 8pm, if you want to come along get in touch with Richard on

richard.burch@btclick.com

Track List for 11/3/09:
Mary Mary – Shackles
Emma Bunton – Free Me
Keane – BedShaped
Robbie Williams – Something Beautiful
REM – Man on the Moon
Moby – Porcelain
Mika – Relax
Beatles – All You Need is Love
Corinne Bailey Rae – Put your records on
Dido – White Flag
Evanescence  - My Immortal

Here’s a few questions and answers about Buddhists:

Who was the Buddha?
The Buddha was an ordinary man who lived some 2,600 years ago in North India. He was not a God. His personal name was Siddhartha (Siddhartha in Sanskrit) and his family name Gotama (Skt.Gautama).
Gotama was born into a rich family but became preoccupied with the suffering of mankind (dukkha) and decided to find a solution. He discovered a way out of suffering, or became “Enlightened", by abandoning all traditional religions and their methods and going his own way.

What does the word Buddha mean?
Gotama attained his enlightenement at the age of 35, after which he became known as the Buddha The Enlightened One'.

Can anyone become a Buddha?
The Buddha was both wise and compassionate. He wouldn't teach a path that ordinary people could not follow. Anyone who makes the effort is capable of realising inner freedom and finding happiness. The Buddha's teachings are a gift, a present we can give ourselves. As a sage of old said, 'If not you, who? And If not now, when?'

What did the Buddha teach?
He taught extensively over the 45 years between his enlightenment and his death at the age of 80. However, it is generally agreed among ail traditions throughout the Buddhist world that the heart of the Buddha's teaching lies in the so-called Four Noble Truths. which he explained at his very first talk at Isipatana (modern Sarnath) near Benares.

Is there a God in Buddhism?
There is no God in Buddhism, in the way that God in Christianity is commonly understood.

Is Buddhism a religion or philosophy?
If we need to categorise Buddhism then perhaps the best way to think of it is as a therapy. The Buddha is sometimes called the great physician because he diagnoses the disease (dukkha), shows us the cause (samudaya), points the way to a cure (magga) and demonstrates the benefits of health (nirvana).

What is karma?
The Pali word 'kamma' or the Sanskrit word 'Karma' (from the root kr to do') literally means 'action', 'doing'. But in Buddhism it means specifically Volitional action' or actions with a motive, not all action. Nor does it mean the result or effects of actions. The motive for action might be good or bad and so karma might be good or bad relatively. Good karma produces good effects and bad karma produces bad effects. The theory of karma is the theory of cause and effect, of action and reaction. It is a natural law.

What is meditation?
There are numerous types of Buddhist meditation, but the basic form that the Buddha taught is the practice of following the breath. We settle our body and gently focus our attention on experiencing each breath fully. When our mind wonders, then we notice what has come up and return our attention to the breath. This simple practice will bring us great peace and joy.

Do I need to have a meditation teacher?
It is best to have a meditation teacher, but if you do not have regular access to a good meditation teacher, then the next best thing is to join a group of like-minded meditators and help each other.

How do I become a Buddhist?
There is no initiation ceremony or anything like that. If you seriously attempt to follow the path, then you are a Buddhist. However, in Buddhist countries it is a tradition on becoming a Buddhist to 'take refuge' in the Three Jewels (or Triple Gem).

What happens when we die?
Some Buddhists believe in rebirth and some do not. However, what the Buddha said about how to live happily, makes sense in this life, and if there are future lives, will make sense in these too.Buddha asked his followers to think about his teachings for themselves and not to blindly follow his words. Read books, talk to others and search your own hearts and minds. Good luck on your path.

For more information on Buddhists visit the site below

www.buddhisminsussex.co.uk