1. What is the purpose of life?  -  To achieve true happiness otherwise defined as Buddhahood.

2. Who is Jesus Christ to you? - A deeply empathetic and compassionate man who faught for the happiness of the people even at the risk of his own life. 

3. What happens when you die? - The aggregates of manifested phenomena which comprise our temporary existence recede into their latent state in the same way that thoughts appear and recede during each thought moment and one's own consciousness itself recedes each night when we fall into deep sleep.  

4. Does suffering have a purpose? If so, what? If not, why not? - Suffering derives from sheer attachment to temporarily arisen phenomena devoid of a total awareness of their true nature.  However were it not for suffering we would not seek true happiness. The search for true happiness leads us to investigate the nature of dharmas.  In this way we come to discern the difference between conditional and unconditional dharmas. True happiness derives from awakening to the unconditional aspect of all dharmas. All dharmas or phenomena contain the marks and signs of the unconditional aspect of dharmas. This is known as the Middleway of true Wisdom.

5. Who is God to you?  -  God is a concept representing the greater and superior truths of the universal reality which are mysterious and ill understood by non-Buddhists human beings.

6. What is your view of the Christian Bible? It is the most popular form of non-buddhist wisdom.

7. If you could only state one thing, what is the most important thing in your
life?  - Opening up the direct path to Buddhahood, indestructable and eternal inner happiness in this lifetime through the practice of chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. In this way I can bring true benefit to myself, my family, my fellow man and all living beings.  Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is the direct path as expressed by Nichiren, the leading devotee of the Lotus Sutra in this modern age of Buddhism.  Check out his teachings------>  www.sgilibrary.org/pdf/001_0003.pdf

May 22, 2012 -- 4:09PM, ndg4 wrote:

Good afternoon,

I'm looking for some questions I have regarding Buddhism. I was raised a Christian, and I'm currently studying many different religions and their world views. I'm really trying to make an informed decision regarding my faith and a response would be appreciated.  

1. What is the purpose of life?

I don't know that there *is* a purpose to life. Life simple *is*. I like being alive. I want to follow the ideals of the Buddha: to eliminate suffering, both in my life and in others. But that's my own goal, my own self-given purpose. Life in general just happens. It's kind of neat that way.

May 22, 2012 -- 4:09PM, ndg4 wrote:

2. Who is Jesus Christ to you?

A myth. In all honesty, Jesus isn't a consideration in my life. He's a guy some people believe in. To me? I really have no interest in Jesus at all.

May 22, 2012 -- 4:09PM, ndg4 wrote:

3. What happens when you die?

I have absolutely no idea. And that's pretty interesting. If I die and there's nothing, then eh, there's nothing. I won't be alive to care about it anymore. And if there is something, then cool, I get to find out new things!

May 22, 2012 -- 4:09PM, ndg4 wrote:

4. Does suffering have a purpose? If so, what? If not, why not?

Suffering is kind of like life. It's there. It doesn't need to have a purpose. I can learn lessons through suffering but, in the end, it's something that is and it is to me what I do about it.

May 22, 2012 -- 4:09PM, ndg4 wrote:

5. Who is God to you?

I don't know if there is a god or gods. I don't believe in one single omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent god. And whether or not they exist, they don't really play much of a part in my day-to-day life. If there is some sort of a god/gods, I am more of the opinion it is something like the Force and a bunch of really powerful nature-spirits. But I am not even so sure about that. It isn't something that I worry about anymore.

May 22, 2012 -- 4:09PM, ndg4 wrote:

6. What is your view of the Christian Bible?

It has some good parts and some bad parts. It is a book compiled by humans. It's in need of a good editor.

May 22, 2012 -- 4:09PM, ndg4 wrote:

7. If you could only state one thing, what is the most important thing in your life?

Thank you! 

Huh. The most important thing? I really don't like to label things like that, because they really are impermanent. Right now, though, I would go with compassion.

There are some really good replies on this but I would like to share mine as well:

1. What is the purpose of life?

I am not completely sure there is one. If there is I think is would have to do with love, joy, and compassion.

2. Who is Jesus Christ to you?

A man who most likely lived. He may not have. I think he did, but I think his message of love has been changed, and lost over time. I think he at least saw enlightenment, and tried to help others.

3. What happens when you die?

I believe in a cycle of birth and death. I admit I am not sure what causes this or stops it, but I think I will have a better understanding when I find some kind of enlightenment.

4. Does suffering have a purpose? If so, what? If not, why not?

Like life having a meaning I am not sure. I know we can give it meaning. I give my suffering meaning by learning from mistakes and moving forward. If it does have a purpose we decide that.

5. Who is God to you?

I am not sure. I have very mixed feelings about this, that would take way to long to post in any detail.

6. What is your view of the Christian Bible?

It is an interesting book. It has some good stories, it has some awful stories. It cause too much arguing and has been edited too many times. For that matter it seems like it may need more, or maybe it is just so edited it has lost all meaning. I say it is worth reading but like all books, and teachings it should be taken lighter than personal experience.

7. If you could only state one thing, what is the most important thing in your
life?

Love (all encompassing; including joy, family, compassion)

To add to the excellent reply above but from a different perspective...there exist many forms of buddhism, and not to say mine is any better than another ....

God, the idea of a creator god, is disallowed in mine. A god who believes he is that is explained in one sutra as being delusional. Because he was first in this realm and he wanted companions he considers himself mistakenly to be the creator of them and all....he is a god but finate and thusly subject to the laws of karma and will devolve, unless she/he becomes enlightened . Many finate gods of differing attributes may exist. But they are not eternal.

Suffering as well as pain may be used for spiritual study and advancement in my practice.

I employ tools of buddhism and one of these is found in a mahamudra context, pain may be focused upon and actually enhanced for purpose of study, as may be death illness..things called sufferings. Used to learn mind.