Short answers to the most common questions about Buddhism.
No matter how long you’ve been practicing Buddhism, you’ve probably got questions. Especially if you’re just starting out.
In every issue of Lion’s Roar magazine, our editors answer a few common questions about Buddhism. These questions are helpful for beginners, and they’re also entry-points for profound explorations. Seemingly-simple questions like “What does it mean to call yourself a Buddhist?” can be riddles that Buddhists wrestle with for their entire lives!
Below, you’ll find all of the FAQs from Lion’s Roar magazine. If you’d like to pose your own question to the editors, you can send it to [email protected] And to get every edition of new questions and answers — plus lots of other practical and profound Buddhist writing — become a subscriber to Lion’s Roar magazine.
Why does my breathing feel uncomfortable in meditation?
You can’t breathe wrong. Generally, Buddhist meditation is not a yogic practice in which you’re supposed to breathe in a particular way.
What is “Secular Buddhism”?
Secular Buddhists reexamine Buddhism through a rationalist and humanistic lens.
Now that I'm doing Buddhist meditation, should I give up therapy?
I’m in psychotherapy and it’s been very helpful to me. Now that I’ve started doing Buddhist meditation, should I give up therapy?
Am I meditating correctly?
"When I meditate, I often get drowsy after awhile. At other times, I’m agitated and feel like jumping off my cushion. In neither case do I feel like I’m meditating correctly."
Why is the Buddha depicted with a bump on top of his head?
The protuberance at the top of the Buddha’s head is known as the ushnisha, which is one of the traditional thirty-two marks of the physical body of a buddha.
Why do Buddhists bow?
In Asian traditions, bowing is a gesture of humbleness and respect, but it can seem strange in the modern West.
What happens at a Buddhist funeral?
What happens at a Buddhist funeral? We answer your questions on Buddhism and meditation.
What is the connection between Buddhism and secular mindfulness?
What is the connection between Buddhism and secular mindfulness? Some people say mindfulness is just Buddhism in another form. Is that true?
Do Buddhists try to convert people?
I’ve had some conversations with Buddhists who proselytize their view as right. Do Buddhists try to convert people like other religions do?
Does Buddhism say I should give money to panhandlers?
Does the Buddhist concept of generosity mean when I see people on the street asking for money I should always give it to them?
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