In Reply to: Re: I've always had questions about Buddhism posted by Thinker on November 19, 2009 at 06:08:00:
I'm not Buddhist, but I've studied certain forms of it over the years. Given my limited knowledge, I'll try to answer your questions.
"How come Buddha got to decide what enlightment was but no one else?"
Buddha didn't decide. People who follow the Buddha's teachings have decided he is an example of an awakened (enlightened) person. He's not the only example of an awakened person or buddha. There are many buddhas.
"And should we kill the Dalai Lama, who claims to be a reincarnation of Buddha?"
Yes, you should kill the Dalai Lama, especially if you are a follower of Zen. There are several branches of Buddhism, within each of those branches there are different sects, schools or "lineages". If you are a follower of Tibetan Buddhism, you probably shouldn't kill the Dalai Lama. In some Tibetan Buddhist lineages, the Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader. In others, he's not. However, he is the political leader of the Tibetan people. Then we have the unholy alliance of religion and politics!
"And while we're on that, how come Buddha gets reincarnated if he's already reached Nirvana?"
Nirvana is not the same idea as heaven. Also, there are many buddhas (awakened beings) other the historical 5th century teacher known as Sidhartha Guatama, the person who founded Buddhism. Some buddhas go to nirvana (nothingness) when they die rather than reincarnate, other buddhas--known as bodhidsatvas--continue in the cycle of reincarnation. In Mahayana Buddhism (the Tibetan form), the buddhas are bodhisatvas. The Dalai Lama is a bodhisatva. You can read more about this at:
"Why do Buddhists claim to not have a God but a philsophy, yet deify this Indian philosopher called Buddha and pray to him?" Not all Buddhists diefy Sidhartha Gautama. The Theravada Buddhists (think: Thailand) do this. The Zen Buddhists (a branch of Mayahana) are at the other extreme in their teachings about devotion/adoration of the buddha. Also, keep in mind--not all buddhas who are honored and venerated are thought to be the historical Sidhartha Gautama. There are other historical buddhas.
"If all existence including our own understanding and concept of self is an illusion, how can "we"--the manifestation of illusion--appreciate (our in our deluded state) the true state of non-illusion and nothingness?"
This question is really complex. As a starting point, I'm not sure that Buddhist philosophy teaches that all existence is an illusion. Or, perhaps I should say, I think this statement is an oversimplification of Buddhist teaching on the nature of reality and human perception.
"And why is the concept of Buddha not an illusion itself?"
It is if you can grasp it or reject it.