Buddhism

Glad to hear back Aicha and very delighted that we are in agreements. I would be happy to answer your with what I know and understand. 1- I've seen many Buddhists offer the Buddha statue food asking for a favor, so I wonder if Buddha has a special power to make whatever they ask for comes to reality? This is one of the many misconception about how westerner perceived Buddhism. Westerner often perceive the offering, burning incense, and bowing as form of Buddhism worship or psupernatural ritual, but this is not so. Similar to westerner culture when a President or a leader walks in people stand up, salutes, and remain quiet when the national anthem is played. Not knowing Western culture this can easily be assumed that westerner worship and submits to that person who possess power, but we know this is not true. We know this is an etiquette of culture, appreciation, courtesy and respect. Likewise with Buddhism, cultural traditions play itself in forms of diverse expression in showing appreciation, respect, and thankfulness to the knowledge left behind and the guidance of a teacher. In addition to the misinterpretation, there is a distinguish difference between the teaching of Buddha and the cultural eventful influences that has been implemented overtime, diversifying Buddhism in practice. This can be seen with the difference of Vajrayana Tibetan Buddhism, Mahayana in Chinese and Japanese Buddism, and Theravada in Thailand and Myammar Buddhism. (http://www.dharmanet.org...) They are different but all schools share the same fundamental of Buddhism each with a unique approach, thus being a philosophy for its non absolute. This can be confusing to those who are not familiar. The fundamental of Buddhist teaching is to rid of suffering, where the main cause of suffering comes form desire and worldly attachment. Hence this can be deduce that asking or praying for personal favors entitles to some form of desire and thus interrupts the teaching of Buddhism and defeat it's purpose. I've heard a buddhist say in a documentary that drinking alcoholic beverages and steeling and lying leads you to hell, so do you believe in hell? Buddhism explains that drinking alcohol cloud the mind that can to lead inappropriate behaviors like lying and stealing. That goes against "The Eightfold Path" as thus leading to suffering of oneself and others (http://www.buddha101.com...). Mental suffering, physical suffering, and emotional suffering can be hellish, if going through lifetime of such suffering I would considered that as hell. 3- What is the reason that many buddhist seek the Buddha for mercy? The core from what I understood that Buddha left his philosophy on how to liberate ourselves. This may be different from from Theistic religion for example the death of jesus for sins of man or how the Islam deity prays for his follower (please correct me if I am wrong). Buddhist meditation is the reason to focus our conscience towards the path of Nirvana or perhaps as way to bestow mercy upon ourselves. The Buddha statues for many symbolizes to keep reminding Buddhist that its possible and Buddha provided a roadmap or a formula to get on that path if Buddhist chooses to do so. So if you want us to stop debating we'll go ahead and do that. I think one of the beauties of debate is sharing, the possibility to understand one another, and to learn more about the world. If I may ask you some question myself, of course the answers is up to you. Since my answer covers some misunderstanding about Buddhism, my question to you is: "What are 2 or more misunderstanding you feel most important to explain or clarify about religion particularly Islam? I remember that in the introduction of this debate, that you would like prove some point, would that be something you would like to share? Finally thank you for starting this debate, for the opportunity to participate, for your questions, and of for sharing your time.