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Hiding Buddhism
So, I've recently moved back in with my Dad, (And no this isn't as sad as it sounds, I'm 18) and recently our good friend, let's call him, "Dan" moved in to my Dad's house as a Room mate. He's a very Christian guy, goes to Chruch every Sunday, has Bible studies, etc. etc.
When setting up my room and such my Dad told me not to put up my Buddhist Books out of fear that "Dan" will see them and have a "Talk" with me about why Jesus Christ needs to be my savior. Which isn't a sterotype on "Dans" part, he may actually do that.
What do you guys think I should do? We're pretty good friends but I get this feeling that if I tell him or he finds out that I'm Buddhist things may change.
Namaste
When setting up my room and such my Dad told me not to put up my Buddhist Books out of fear that "Dan" will see them and have a "Talk" with me about why Jesus Christ needs to be my savior. Which isn't a sterotype on "Dans" part, he may actually do that.
What do you guys think I should do? We're pretty good friends but I get this feeling that if I tell him or he finds out that I'm Buddhist things may change.
Namaste
0
Comments
Cheers!
Of course you will have to consider the fact that Christians sometimes feel they are required to instill "the one true faith" in those around them. If your friend is this way, then keeping your mouth shut might be a better choice ... it's too wearing, listening to someone who cannot be troubled to hear you.
It's childish and inconsiderate, but there are people like that...even Buddhists.
he may see it as a divine sign , being put with you, and a mission on his part to accomplish this.
I would keep your books out, and be yourself. It's your home more than his, but be skilful in your motives. Don't do it to defy or antagonise. Do it because you feel it's a comfortable and natural thing to do.
if he begins on you, tell him this:
"I will gladly listen to all your arguments, reasons and convictions as to why I should convert to Christianity. However, before you begin your effort to convert me, I would put forward one condition:
You read my books on Buddhism to truly and fundamentally understand what it is I follow. Because how can you argue against something you are completely ignorant about? It would be like disagreeing with a chef on his dishes, ingredients and preparation methods, when all you know how to make, is a cup of instant coffee...
First understand me completely. Then start proselytising. Until and unless you are willing to do this, I'm not interested. Because unless we can discuss all aspects of this on an equal footing, you're pissing in the wind.
Now, which book would you like to start with?"
I must tell those three 14-year-olds at my local temple to come back in 5 years....They're far too young to be Buddhists.
:crazy: :rolleyes:
That being said, I did enjoy the partying times.
And thank you Federica, I get the feeling he already knows I don't believe in God so I think he wouldn't care to much. Sometimes people have to understand that not everyone is Christian anymore.
Quite deliberately.
It was a conscious and heartfelt choice.
(I'm generalising here, and speaking more of Western-based Buddhists than those in the far east/orient...)
If you get the feeling he already knows you don't believe in God.... then there's no harm that I can see, in keeping your books out...
or am I missing something?
Just be nice to him.
IMO you should just be up front with Dan about you path. This has worked for me with my family and friends. I try not to get into debates about what the Buddha said or did, but try to be the best person that I can. Mostly, over time, people will respond to that.
Also, to openly be "Buddhist" and willing to face "opposition" to your beliefs is a good thing too.
If you're confident in your ability to "defend" your beliefs as a Buddhist would then I say set up an altar.
However, if all you have are books on Buddhism and your Dad's roommate would see that as a cue to lecture... I say put the books up, wait for the lecture, take note of it, thank him for his concern and compassion and move on.
The notion of "salvation" and "original sin" can be hard to "combat" as Buddhists. Just use your best judgement. (pun somewhat intended)
If he asks you about Jesus ask him questions about what he believes. It might be more interesting to learn what he believes than to have him pressuring you to believe in Jesus Christ. If he says your going to hell tell him to kiss your ass and stop pressuring you that your only 18 and that you can't force anyone to go to god. You might say that you believe in love in the world and meaning. But your not sure if that is God and Jesus. Tell him you will think about it but that you don't want to be pressured.
If he says we are all sinners and we can't possibly act good...ask him if he has a conscience. And free will. Thats something Christians believe.
Dude. I am glad to hear you are a 18 and a Buddhist.
About your Christian friend, just view him with unconditional awareness or luminous mind.
As Buddhism is a higher level of understanding than Christianity, as a Buddhist, it is best you 'defer' to the lesser.
There is no need for you to challenge his views and attempt to assert some kind of superiority.
You must be careful to practise non-harming in order to not harm his faith (in Christianity).
Just be laid back & relax.
Regards
DD
If that fails? Ask the Christian Dan to tell you all about (and only about) what Jesus actually taught. Explain you really like how Jesus and Buddha are so much alike. Watch what you are being told by Dan. If it's Biblical sources explain you don't want distant third and fourth hand edited accounts of what Jesus taught.
Because of their similarities and because only Buddha has a continuous unbroken lineage of teaching you have to put your faith in the idea that Jesus would have been saying the same things if such a lineage existed for Christians.
You might ask the Christian Dan what he thinks of this book: _The Gnostic Gospels of Jesus: The Definitive Collection of Mystical Gospels and Secret Books about Jesus of Nazareth_. If he rejects such extra-biblical accounts of Jesus' teachings it means you might have an uphill probably very unsatisfying conversation in your future.
Hummm..., that was kind of snippy! Sorry. I think it was the coffee I drank. :dunce:
wait... do you hold any metaphysical/dogmatic views in Buddhism?
It's quite possible that none of your views conflict with Christianity. In that case, fill him in on that fact. Maybe you can encourage him to do some Christian meditation, and you guys could meditate together.
#knock knock#
me: Hello ?
JW: Have you found Jesus yet ?
me: Sorry I didnt realize he was lost.
# Watchtower publication falls through the letter box #
In short, there really isn't any point in hiding anything. If he's living with you, chances are he might even find out eventually. Perhaps actually trying to talk it through in a mature manner would be the best route to take. He might try to convert you, but just take it in stride. He'd probably be more apt to do so if he thought for some reason you had to practice in secret and keep it hidden. To him, that may just be fuel to the fire causing him to think that what you're doing can't be good since you're "keeping it hidden".
We all have our own paths to take. Simply inform him that you do not judge him for the one he has chosen, and hope that he affords you the same amount of respect. Good luck!
Good advice, Bodhipunk.
Must be a universal human trait. Well, that's up to the anthropologists and sociologists to investigate I guess.
Jesus' life in the East after he survived the Crucifixion was documented in a text found in Hemis Monastery in Ladakh, by the way. It was translated from Tibetan into English in the 1930's by George Roerich, a PhD in Oriental Studies from Harvard, and the news made headlines in the US. No Resurrection, because Jesus didn't die. He was alive (which is how he managed to consume food at the Last Supper), then he fled for his life, and joined a caravan going East.
Anyway, thanks for sharing, Lostie. It's interesting to compare perspectives. I had no idea that "Easterners" consider Christianity to be logical.