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why does the Dalai Lama not want me to be Buddhist??
he advises us to stay in the religion of our culture...why??? I don't want to be Catholic nor do the Catholics lol
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"Generally speaking, I believe that all major world religions have the potential to serve humanity and deveolp good human beings. By "good" or "nice", I don't mean that people look good; I mean that they have a good and more compassionate heart. This is why I always say that it is better to follow one's own traditional religion, because by changing religion you may eventually find emotional or intellectual difficulties. For example, in the west the traditional religious culture is Christian, so it may be better for you to follow that.
However, for those of you who really feel that your traditional religion is not effective for you, and for those who are radical atheists, then the buddhist way of explaining things may hold some attraction. Maybe in this case it is all right to follow Buddhism - generally, I think it is better to have some kind of religious training than none at all. "
I knew by 13 however that I was not in the religion that ultimately answered my questions. i could not imagine going to our pastor with the questions I had even in my 13-16 year old self. I did however get introduced to meditation through my liberal church.
here is my personal perspective, I find that often people who are not in strong understanding of buddhism, maybe non buddhists who know something from the outside, make automatic western/christian assumptions. I have been recommended to 'pray to buddha' at times like my foreclosure and I didn't know where I was going to live. Then when I found perfect housing thesame person told me buddha answered my prayers. It was more of a buddha face on a jesus concept. I feel that is part of what HHDL is saying in conversion, it is hard to live with a foundation that does not match your outside culture. I do struggle with the times when I feel very out of touch or misunderstood in western culture, just about the time I am getting the hang of something for awhile
I wonder if, in his wisdom, he is questioning the reasons that various people become Buddhist (or switch to any other religion).
For example, I was raised a Methodist on my mother's side of my family (my parents were divorced). But, when my father came home on leave, it's get a taste of the Catholic religion. And there eventually came a time that I decided to become Catholic. Let's see...now why did I do that? A little sense of rebellion. Wanting to emulate my best friend in high school. Wanting to identify with my father's side of the family. Wanting to taste the mystery of the incense and the clanging bells on the altar, etc. Although some of these reasons may have been logical, they were still not good reasons for changing from one religion to another.
On the other hand, when I came under the influence of Buddhism, it was for a much more sensible reason. It was my second trip to Thailand, and as I traveled around the country, I began to wonder what made these people who had so little, seem so content with life. Obviously, it had something to do with Buddhism, so I began to visit more and more temples, read more on the topic, and so forth.
But, in my lifetime, of the people I have known who changed religions, as often as not, it's been for a...well...not so good reason. Perhaps the DL sees a lot of people changing religions for the wrong reasons.
Also, having seen HHDL speak in in DC he is very pointed in saying words to the effect of :
Do not claim to be a Buddhist, and then not follow the path, it is not a badge to be worn just to make yourself look better to others. He uses the word hypocrisy in there as well.
That was back in 2005, and trust me, he will intimidate the hell out of you and make you feel like a bad Buddhist. Even in a large auditorium! As kind, loving and playful as he seems, his words are powerful and well thought out. Don't mess with His Holiness!
Re: homosexuality (Taken from Wikipedia):
In a 1994 interview with OUT Magazine, the Dalai Lama explained "If someone comes to me and asks whether homosexuality is okay or not, I will ask 'What is your companion's opinion?'. If you both agree, then I think I would say 'if two males or two females voluntarily agree to have mutual satisfaction without further implication of harming others, then it is okay'".[71] However, in his 1996 book Beyond Dogma, he clearly states, "A sexual act is deemed proper when the couples use the organs intended for sexual intercourse and nothing else....Homosexuality, whether it is between men or between women, is not improper in itself. What is improper is the use of organs already defined as inappropriate for sexual contact."[72] He has said that sex spelled fleeting satisfaction and trouble later, while chastity offered a better life and "more independence, more freedom".[73] He says that problems arising from conjugal life could even lead to suicide or murder.[74] The Dalai Lama has said that all religions have the same idea about adultery.[75]
But as someone in that other thread posted, he was a baby when thrust into a sheltered life, made to study highly antiquated texts, and with no experience of the greater world, only that which he read or was schooled on...by older,more "experienced" monastics - who were likely as sheltered as he was.
When teaching about hearsay rather than first hand experience it is quite difficult to apply. Also it is hard, if not impossible to apply to the lay practitioners, since if chastity is preferable how could we continue to populate? It would seem that in his quest to enlighten all beings he forgets or dismisses the fact that it MUST happen. I dunno.
My feelings are that Buddha may also not have agreed with homosexuality, but would agree with love between two people. Love trumps that, I would think.
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Politics and Religion.
Tradition and humanitarianism.
Simple Monk and Icon of Tibetans - and others.
His path has hitherto been a torturous one, and not one many world political leaders have ever had to experience themselves.
There will doubtless have been times when one world has clashed with and contradicted the other.
This is not to say he always gets it 'right'... (and just what IS right, to everybody's satisfaction?)
But he does try to use the wisdom he has been taught to use, in appropriate ways, and to understand that this is a world largely in turmoil, for many reasons.... and that for these many reasons, countless thousands are seeking refuge from that turmoil.
Can't be easy, being HH the DL.... But I think he's doing the best he can, with the tools he's been given.
I really agree with what telly posted somehwere up there ^^^
Once upon a time, I would instruct newcomers at a particular Zen center. The group would meet once a week for six months or so, go over ritual, chants and whatever other format material was necessary. After the six months, students could elect to become zendo members. Most did not.
I instructed such classes four or five times and it was in one of those classes that I met a woman who seemed to be in her late thirties or early forties. A single look at the woman was enough to tell you -- "she's Irish." Anyway, the 'Irish' woman and I became chums and she told me that she had recently left the Catholic Church: There were 'issues' with the beliefs and demands of the church, so she quit. But it was clear from her recitation that she missed the Catholic Church and I began riding her case -- "Why don't you just go back?" I might ask. "Oh, I couldn't do that," she might say, "I don't agree with them." This conversation took place several times in slightly different ways. Finally I said to her, "How old are you?" And after she told me, I asked, "Are you an adult?" She seemed to agree that she was. "Then why don't you go back to church and take nourishment from what YOU find appealing and leave the other stuff to the church?" She didn't like hearing that. There were authorities, dontcha know ... priests and nuns and popes and all the rest. She couldn't just waltz in with her own, lonely self. But I kept needling her and needling her. Take the wheat, leave the chaff. But she was still on a chaff diet -- imagining that what someone else said was the One True Yardstick of Catholicism. I needled, she balked.
After six months, the class was over. When the zendo reopened, the "Irish" woman was no place in sight. There was nothing unusual in that -- most people are not cut out to practice Zen -- but I wondered what ever happened to her.
And then one day, walking down a street in New York City -- a city of eight of ten million people -- there she was, walking towards me from a distance of about fifty feet. Our eyes met and it was clear we recognized eachother. When, at last, we stood in front of eachother, she threw her arms around my neck and thanked me. She had returned to the church that touched her heart ... but this time as an adult.
I was really happy for her. And, I have to admit shamelessly, I was proud of myself.
with compassion, of course.....
I've always heard a three-level suggestion from him: 1) don't rush to abandon your current religion "just because," 2) if considering a change, examine both religions closely, and 3) if you do decide Buddhism is better for you, don't fall into the habit of regularly criticizing your old religion.
I know it could sound to some as if he's trying to keep you away--that's not it at all. I believe he's just providing a "whoa, Nellie," so we stop and think before making big decisions.
Buddhism is big on reasoned faith rather than blind faith. You should adopt Buddhism after examining it and coming to multiple, solid conclusions as to why it serves you better; that way your faith in it--which is really your faith in yourself--will be stronger.
It's not unlike switching jobs; if you are absolutely convinced a different job is better for you, after examining it really carefully, your chances of finding happiness in it are far greater.
"I am now no longer a Catholic.... I am now......a Buddhist" That is a bit queazy. Buddhist proselytizing...? No thanks.
Spiny
One of my favorite HH Dalai Lama quotes: "People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they're not on your road doesn't mean they've gotten lost."
This is such a great example of the contrast between the religions, I think--in the west we may have this feeling of, "Many masters are good, many religions are good, why not express love for any teacher we feel like," which is fine--there's nothing wrong with expressing it--but to a Buddhist, praying is not just a general expression of a feeling of love or devotion to an external figure, but rather a statement of your own conclusions and beliefs. Somewhat different, and I find the contrast very interesting.
Conrad.
To be honest, I think the way you've written your comment is just dismissive of a spiritual leader with whom you don't happen to agree. His teachings deserve thought and contemplation before simply being discarded.
"if you think like a Buddhist and act like a Buddhist, the you are a Buddhist." -- A Thai monk's response when I specifically ask how to convert to Buddhism.
:thumbsup:
When I returned to the States a couple of years ago, after living in Thailand, I decided I wanted some Christian influence in my life...not instead of Buddhism, but in addition to Buddhism. Since I had once been a Catholic, I tried going back to Mass occasionally. But, after a couple of visits, I just couldn't. Not because of little problems here and there, because I could -- as you suggested -- separate the wheat from the chaff. But, the whole issue of confession -- one of the most important and basic sacraments of the church -- is something I cannot agree with. Not because I don't wanna go...been there, done that. But because it is a Catholic principle that separates the rest of the spiritual world from the Catholic Church, and says if you don't do it, then you cannot have a valid spiritual life.
So I think it depends on whether one has to seek the wheat from the chaff, or one is forced to accept only 100% whole wheat bread when it makes one sick to their stomach.
:thumbup:
is the leader of only 1 sect in the tibetan
tradition of Buddhism??
So I would say his opinion does not represent
all of buddhism.
The non-Buddhist thinks there's a difference.
Considering the position in which he has been for most of his life, how could his politics and religion not be mixed. And what ultimately authoritative voice ever said there should be no mixing of politics and religion?