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To covert or not to covert.
Here I am learning about Buddhism. And its rather appealing. BUT Now I am in a stage of wondering should I actually convert. You see, like I said before, I was raised in a Christian home, forced to go to church as a child.
I am scared to convert to another religion, but I don't know if that is because I have been raised to be a Christian and thats really all I know, or maybe its the pressure all around me to believe in God. "If you don't believe in God you will go to hell" Well, first off if I don't believe in God, than obviously I don't believe in Hell. So where do I stand?
This is so touchy to me right now. I'm so confused. Buddhism seems and feels right to me. Being the kind of person that I am, open minded, caring, and considerate. But I'm so scared to choose anything.
What would you reccomend I do to ease this confusion?
What can I do to decide what is really right?
And finally, if I do decide to convert...how in the world do you start besides just learning about it.
By the way there are no Buddhist Temples in KY!!
I am scared to convert to another religion, but I don't know if that is because I have been raised to be a Christian and thats really all I know, or maybe its the pressure all around me to believe in God. "If you don't believe in God you will go to hell" Well, first off if I don't believe in God, than obviously I don't believe in Hell. So where do I stand?
This is so touchy to me right now. I'm so confused. Buddhism seems and feels right to me. Being the kind of person that I am, open minded, caring, and considerate. But I'm so scared to choose anything.
What would you reccomend I do to ease this confusion?
What can I do to decide what is really right?
And finally, if I do decide to convert...how in the world do you start besides just learning about it.
By the way there are no Buddhist Temples in KY!!
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Comments
Sure there are..you just need to know where to look!
http://208.2.76.29/tricycle/tri_index.lasso
It's a hard thing to change your 'religion'. I had denied myself for many many years that I was an atheist. I sugar-coated it by calling myself agnostic, but I knew that wasn't the absolute truth. It seems that deep down inside, you know what your beliefs are, and you've found your first step on a path towards something that isn't promised by other religions.
If you fear telling your parents and friends, who says you have to! Drop subtle hints that your world view is changing. I haven't told my parents, but I'm sure the buddha on my dashboard and the buddha fish on the back of my care are more than subtle clues!
Follow your heart, be a light unto yourself, and go in the direction you feel and know is right.
So don't! Who says we have to label ourselves this or that. Labelling is the heart of dichotomous thinking, and dichotomous thinking is the antithesis of buddhism! Humans have a need to label everthing, pigeon-hole it into 'understandable' categories so we don't need to have to think about it on anything but the simplest terms. I only call myself a buddhist when Jehoviah's Witnesses come knocking on the door. Other than that, i have know idea what a "buddhist" is... I read about it, meditate, try to live my life by buddhism's principles, but I'm no 'buddhist'
Just go with your inner flow, stop struggling, and relax. Enjoy the ride - you might be so intent on watching exactly where you're putting each foot, that you forget to see just how lovely the countryside is today - !!
Zen and Federica are right. Don't put yourself in a position to choose or be hard on yourself, and ease up on the pressure on yourself! I was brought up in the Baptist faith---we were the family that were there every time the doors to the church were open! I hated it because I thought that a faith that was so male-oriented and thought of women as second-rate was not the kind of faith I wanted to be identified with. Also, I struggled with the fact there was only one true way to heaven and any other paths were the paths to Hell. Anyway, I found Wicca and decided to practice the Wiccan Ways. I have explained what the Wiccan path is in another forum. I don't denounce Christianity; it is just not the right path for me. Christians have the right to practice any particular faith they wish to as do other members of the many diverse religions being practiced in the world today. It would be nice that they are more accepting of other religions! But I always was interested in Buddhism and wondered what it was about. So, I decided to ask questions and to find out for myself. I knew people in my homestate of Florida that were Buddhists and I was struck by the fact that they all seemed to be so calm and serene. I researched different sects of Buddhism and was drawn to the Nichiren Buddhist path and I decided I wanted to learn more about it. Here I am. So, I am a student that is still seeking answers just like you! Maybe we can learn them together here at this site. I am also still a Wiccan and I shall always be. Also, Wiccans and Buddhists do not demand that a person give up their core beliefs whatever they may be. All are welcome and I respect that. I look forward to getting to know you better.
Adiana :bigclap: :bigclap:
The buddhists and easter thread started off innocent enough, but it kind of turned into a "coming out as a buddhist to our families" clearinghouse
Don't worry about any of this at all. Trust in yourself, and know that many of us (myself included) have been exactly where you are right now. It's not an easy path, but it will enable you to find peace, trust me on that!
In a way, yes...but in another way, no....
Like anything really worth achieving, it takes effort. To read, acknowledge and accept as true for you, the 4 Noble Truths; To read, acknowledge and accept as true for you, The Eightfold Path. To read, acknowledge and accept as true for you, whatever books on Buddhism you may wish to read (recommended reading thread) all take effort on your part. But there is no-one who will judge, appraise and condemn your self-perceived failures, but you yourself. Conscience in this context is a wonderful friend and ally. And everyone on this site will always welcome you, unconditionally, with open arms. Ask whatever you want, and we'll all try, in our different ways, to keep you going and to support you when you need us. And we all know we can come here for help, support, friendship and idle chat, too.
My favouritest (see, what a command of the English language I have!
"This above all:
To thine own self be True,
And it MUST follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false
To any man."
(Polonius, Hamlet.)
It may not always make you popular, it won't ever be easy, but it is the most rewarding thing in the world, if you can follow it. EFFORT. Key word.
Now meditation is a part of my daily life. Several obstacles are in my way from really appreciating Buddhism. One is my parents. Like I said, devout Catholic, and I must go to church otherwise I am prohibited from any type of enjoyment on the weekend. So I coped with this for a while, but now it has become a bit more agitating. So along with my intrest of Buddhism and discontent with formal religions, I began slowly to disbelieve in the Bible. I don't believe in Hell, angels, and all the silly ceremonies. I am not even sure about Jesus and God, so I am sort of Agnostic for now.
At many times, I have found myself having to defend other religions (non-christian) that I don't even believe in. I have only done it when I felt they were unfairly judged. My family knows that if they say any kind of anti-semitic statement in the household, it will result in me giving a lecture on the Holocaust and other tragic events. But I think they are noticing my shift in religion. I don't really participate in the Mass, I meditate frequently, I constantly question the Bible, and am always looking for some good debate to get in. All in all, I'm a heretic.
Escaping the family religious imperialism can be difficult. It can be very difficult especially when your entire family on both sides is Christian and you are just the young, rebellious, Buddhist talking about religious tolerance. But keep in mind that the choice is ultimately yours. Do not believe in something only out of fear of some unthinkable punishment, for that seems worse than disbelieving I would think.
Maybe this quote by the Buddha will help...
I was born, raised and lived as a Roman Catholic. I'm 48 and took Refuge in Buddhism about 5 years ago. But In the UK, where I originally came from, I was even an active School Governor at a R.C. school, where both my girls went. So I know a bit about this....
"I don't think God has to play by any rules and I don't think I will ever comprehend what God truly is. "
One of our Forum members (comicallyinsane) said this, and I think it's one of the most sensible things I've ever read. 99% of what we know of God & Jesus is hyped -up drivel perpetuated by guys who like to be in control. But that remaining 1% is vitally, vitally important. it makes the whole. In order to be a complete person, you have to look at the global picture. While your Mum & dad find comfort, solace and spiritual support in what they do, be happy for them. They raised you with Love and consideration, so be kind to them. they have much to say that if you shut your ears completely, you may miss.
Enjoy your life and be happy.
You are quite articulate for a 15 year old, and as Federica said, wise beyond your years. Im used 2 seeng ppl ur age type like this omg lol omg.
Above all, practise!
Formal Taking Refuge can become important at so many levels, including that of ego-satisfaction, that a teacher/guru can be important.
And, once again: Buddhism is not an intellectual exercise, it is a practice. So: Practise, practise, practise!
And that can be done within the context of the Mass as well as in the context of temple services.
This is one reason why I struggle with the idea of Christianity. Burn in hell if you reject, go to heaven if you accept. All the while as I search for answers and come up with more questions, several of my friends are looking to Buddhism. They have had similar problems with their religion and they seem to be fond of Buddhism and eastern religions.
I'll continue to keep asking questions because you can never attain the answers of life if you don't ask questions.
You may not know it but there are many, many Christians who reject the notion of "damnation" as a reality because of Jesus' own words. We believe in inclusivity and the reality of the message of the basileia (translated often as 'kingdom' but that doesn't mean much today) which we are told is here and now.
Mind you, I've come across more than a few Christian thinkers who hate inclusive Christianity more than they hate unbelievers! LOL
http://buddhanet.net/amdir_na.htm
http://buddhanet.net/americas/usa_ky.htm
You never know, your grandmother might surprise you. If she has so much faith in the bible she may respect you for your own strong 'faith'.
Keep us posted... God luck, friend.
May I ask some questions? Please ignore them if they are intrusive.
1. Do you go to church with your grandmother, or join her in her devotions?
2. What, precisely, would she notice that is different about you if you were practising Buddhism 'openly'? Can you be identified as a Buddhist in some external way, other than by a calmer mind and greater compassion?
I do agree that deliberately upsetting people, particularly those close to us, is unskillful and to be avoided. Many of the tenets and statements of Christianity (as against 'churchianity') can find their counterparts in the Dharma, so that you may find yourself closer to your grandmother than you fear.
"This above all:
To thine own self be true -
And it MUST follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man."
I've said it before (ad nauseam:) but it rings as worthy a dictum now as it did in the 17th century.
Deep breath shoulders back, and off you go. It's the fear you're afraid of anyway, not the deed itself....
You can be a "gentle buddhist". These are the things that were VERY important to my grandmother:
Her: "Do you believe in Jesus?"
Me: "Of course I do. Jesus was a great man" (not mentioning to her that I don't actually believe that he was divine)
Her: "Do buddhists believe in god?"
Me: "Some do. Being buddhist doesn't mean NOT being christian"
So my point is that you can sort of skirt the issues.. You absolutely shouldn't lie to her, that would be very disrespectful.
Look, you already know that her opinion is going to be probably not so good, and yet you say her opinion is important to you. As with all things, walk the middle path. Maybe it's not even important to bring it up to her.
If indeed, Spacey, your revered grandmother notices that you are calmer and more compassionate, my guess is that she will rejoice!
You might like "Living Buddha, Living Christ" by Thich Naht Hanh. I found this to be a great book when I was trying to connect my Christian and Buddhist beliefs. Good read and not too long.
The Doctor was Here!
I have found scriptures in the Tanakh and the New Testament which speak to me, in language which is part of me. I love the Gospel of Thomas and I study the 'Gnostic' texts. (There are times, too, when nothing but a bit of Rumi will do, and others when I need the mysteries of Olympus or Asgard.)
After all, what is the aim? What do we practice for? The practice of the Noble Eightfold Path does not bind us to any particular mythology and we are free to choose the myth that fits for us.
I despair of the teachings that turn 'Jesus people' into followers. It isn't his message at all; it turns the liberation of metanoia into the servitude of adherence. I suppose I should give up and simply take Refuge in the Triple Jewel; forget about all the deluded Christians who read the same texts as I but who find there the opposite message. After all, who am I to tell them that they are wrong and I am right?
I am like a survivor of child abuse: I know that my parent churches did terrible things to us, but I still insist on trying to see the best in them!
The most common problem I face in introducing Buddhism to Christians is often "No, I'd not like to listen to anything that pulls me away from Him." or "I trust my God", when actually I know they simply fear converting and "backstabbing" their Christian friends. Note that I know that I'm not supposed to force them to convert unlike Christianity.
If you do not believe in God, but is scared to believe in him, don't give a damn, just convert. Why fear him if you don't believe in him?