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The first time you said "I'm a Buddhist"
misterCope
PA, USA Veteran
Just out of curiosity (and assuming you converted to Buddhism), do you remember the first time you said the words "I'm a Buddhist"? What was the experience like? How did you feel?
Myself, I was at work having a discussion about religion with a coworker. We were both raised Christian and we were discussing how our faith had changed over the years. I thought about how often I meditated and how I try to follow the precepts and I said, "I guess I'm Buddhist." At the time, it felt strange to say and a little blasphemous. It's been years now, but I still haven't told any of the hyperreligious members of my family, despite the fact that I feel a much more real connection to God than I ever felt before I discovered Buddhism.
What were your experiences like?
Myself, I was at work having a discussion about religion with a coworker. We were both raised Christian and we were discussing how our faith had changed over the years. I thought about how often I meditated and how I try to follow the precepts and I said, "I guess I'm Buddhist." At the time, it felt strange to say and a little blasphemous. It's been years now, but I still haven't told any of the hyperreligious members of my family, despite the fact that I feel a much more real connection to God than I ever felt before I discovered Buddhism.
What were your experiences like?
1
Comments
I may give up on the name calling . . . :nyah:
I rejected the only Christianity I was exposed to at the time, deeming it incapable of providing me what I was seeking, but an image of the Buddha was present in my mind and the serene calmness of it was the initial motivating factor to start my spiritual journey there, so the initial feeling was of comfort and peace of mind.
However, I no longer consider myself a Buddhist as I have converted to Eastern Orthodox Christianity, but that doesn’t mean I reject Buddhism completely as there are many similar and complimentary ideas that I hold as true.
Buddhism wasn't exactly foreign to me, I'd been exposed to it and had an interest in it ever since I was a teenager. I'd always incorporated a few Buddhist ways into my pagan path as well....
I was feeling this nagging need to find a spiritual way of living, without the nonsense of "gods", prayers, rituals, and all the other forms of "magick" and magical thinking.
And then :: face palm moment!::: Buddhism! Right in front of me the whole time!
As for family and friends- the first time I veered off the common religious path (Catholicism) was the real shocker for my family. Took my parents quite a few years to get it that I was no longer a good catholic girl. Switching to Buddhism 3 and a half decades later was a piece of cake! LOL
Unless you live in a family that discusses religion all the time, things may go smoother than you think. I transitioned as an 18 year old into a non-Christian, quasi-Buddhist, quasi-Hindu, "New Ager" for quite some time, then went through a non-spiritual agnostic/atheist phase in college, and now I'm a mix of the two phases and consider myself a Buddhist more than anything else.
Over the last 10+ years, I've run into very few interpersonal problems with other people, including my family. Why?
1. Most people don't talk about religion or spiritual matters that much. They're more concerned with work, recreation, sports, paying bills, cutting the lawn, and figuring out what to have for dinner.
2. I didn't seek interpersonal problems with people. I'm open-minded and not that outwardly judgmental. I think that I'm a genuine, decent human being. People tend to care more about that. I don't seek to stir up argument/debate with people; if others bring up religious/spiritual matters, I LOVE to join in on a conversation.
The less you focus on announcing to the world that you are a "Buddhist," and the more you focus on living/being Buddhist, the easier things will likely flow for you. Luck and Light!
I knew for sure Buddhism was for me when I met my teacher. It always felt a bit odd to me to consider myself a Buddhist, but I did take refuge vows with my teacher and since then the label seems to fit better. or rather I feel better about using it to identify myself. My kids have never even really asked what I am, rather they ask what I believe in.
"No, no thank you; I don't eat chicken."
"Why not?"
"I'm a vegetarian."
"What? Why?"
*Thinking of the numerous, lengthy reasons* I decide to go with: "I'm Buddhist."
"Oh my God! Doesn't that mean you worship the devil!?!?"
I completely agree with @MorningView that you should live as a Buddhist and let the people in your life see the change in you. Unless it comes up in discussion...when it does, I think your best bet is to calmly educate the people who will listen.
My parents self-identify as Catholic though they rarely attend mass anymore, but have always had a more open-minded attitude. I owe them so much in my own spiritual journey, even if it has taken me places they would have never expected!
I no longer hide it like a dirty secret in the small town in Arkansas where I live, though I don't advertise it either. Not believing in the existence of God, on the other hand, I keep to myself. People here perceive that as even "scarier" then Buddhism per se-- I've had and overheard some interesting conversations on that topic, so I know to keep my mouth shut.
now I don't call myself a buddhist anymore.. if I call myself anything it's a dhammaist.
Otherwise, I say, "Aw, thanks, but I'm a Buddhist" when someone insists that I have an alcoholic beverage. That usually brings about a small moment where they respond with something like, "Oh. Okay. Well. So. Can you drink caffeine?"
Well, I'm not a Mormon! Bring on the espresso!
thinking back, As a child I never really accepted Christian church or worship (loosely the family religion). I was always suspicious and never accepted anything.
My affinity for Buddhism started at 14 or so after rummaging through books and finding a a book of chan sayings and has grown ever more since then. So.. i never had to abandon a faith for it.
I haven't said ' I'm a buddhist' very often..cant remember if i ever have really!
I don't tell strangers, and those close to me already know, more or less. When interacting about religion with people i dont know very well, i usually just speak in generalities; kindness, love, consciousness, understanding.
Nowadays, if someone asked me honestly, and this person was close to me, for example a future spouse or close friend or family i'd say;
I am buddhist, to the bone, till I die, and beyond.
And you know what.. I'd mean it.
Truthfully, i feel really uncomfortable saying the words, because i feel that the true meaning of buddhism is so much beyond 'religion' . Also I avoid talking about buddhism to unless they have an interest already, because I am allergic to religions and ideologies that force themselves on others.
But if somebody really pushed me on it, or asked me honestly, (or tried to convert me
yep, down to the very bone.
*although then i'd probably add that I dont live up to it as well as I should.
I may suggest that god isnt like a person, and it is indeed the fabric of all of us and our perception and consciousness. and that it is very massive and intelligent and meaningful, and not petty. I may add that the meaning of existence is deep and profound.
I say this to people because I think it's helpful to expand people's ideas of spiritual meaning beyond simple personification/punishment imagery, as is usually ingrained in my culture.
Usually people who bring up the topic of god with me, end up feeling better about spirituality in general, without being shaken of their faith or angered or belittled. I feel that it is my duty as a buddhist not to push anything on people, but to bring them comfort, understanding, kindness, support. Support good things.
I also strongly believe that it isn't right to represent buddhism as moral atheism. please note that I do very much respect any disagreements to these statements, and I wont argue. }
What she said.
In metta,
Raven
LOL! Yo Sistah!
"I'm a Buddhist?!?"