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Teaching other people about buddhism who don't neccisarily ask about it? What's your opinion?
I've talked a little about it to a friend or two, they didn't ask about it but who would not considering it to be something that could really help them if they don't know about it? it has helped me a lot. If it's done in a open minded way, when is it alright and not alright to express the power of Buddhism?
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I mean, it's so damn brilliant, everyone should know about it....shouldn't they??
The answer is - No.
Most Buddhists will tell you that preaching/proselytising is not really the done thing, by laypeople particularly.
The best thing to do, is to show them, over time, what absolutely stunning changes it makes to your life, by letting them see for themselves how your behaviour, speech, attitude and kindness has improved.
Actions speak louder than words.
Don't 'say'.
'Do'.
Oh and, 'the Power of Buddhism'?
Buddhism has no power.
The power comes from you. Buddhism merely draws the diagram for how to plug in.
But the addition of "virtue" is a constant danger ... something to be careful about. A friend who needs help needs help. No need to run a virtue number on a friend. Just help in the best way you know how ... and don't expect it will help.
IMO? UNLESS you are explicitly asked about it? Keep your mouth shut about the "mechanics" of Buddhism and express Buddhism through your interactions with others over time.
Maybe it's like the piano. Nobody wants to hear you learning (practicing over and over, dissecting, and going slowly making as few mistakes as possible). People want to hear you perform, express, they want the demonstration!
As others have said, let your actions speak for themselves.
This is because we feel people must come to experience Dharma themselves.
Of course, as others have said, it is perfectly fine, even a good thing, to discuss Buddhism with others who have expressed an interest.
Spiritual pushers and dealers are not looked upon in a good way.
If one sets a god example of morale discipline and compassion then questions will come naturally.
I have a friend who I think would be greatly inspired if he took the time to read about Buddhism. But he knows I practice Buddhism, he can ask if he wants. He's made occasional references to it, and when he does I respond, but ONLY then.
My friends found the concept of emptiness very intriging and karma as well and thus naturally sparked interest.
Sooooo..., what am I supposed to do? What I've been doing for years: be a good Buddhist (as best I can of course -probably a C+ student if grades were given) without them knowing it.
It's okay to be more proactive in promoting Buddhism, imo.
I will sometimes mention and/or recommend meditation to people who sound like they could use it and would be open to it.
One friend of mine said his doctor recommended he find some stress-relieving activities, such as yoga. I told him to try meditation. I sent him some links, which he looked at, and eventually he joined some meditation class somewhere. I don't know if he will stick with it, though.
I convinced another friend to give it a try, which she did. Interesting, one of her friends heard from her that I was into meditation and, from what I heard, she sounded somewhat interested. So I emailed her and gave a hard sell. She read a book I recommended, started meditating on her own, and ended up hiring her own private meditation teacher!
Other times I'm more sly when a hard sell is not advisable: A friend of mine likes to knit while watching TV. She also mentioned that she had anxiety issues. I told her to try knitting without TV, computer or any other distractions, and to just focus on the knitting. She did, and now makes it a point to do some portion of her knitting in silence.
Other times advice falls on deaf ears and I don't bother pursuing it, but that's like any other advice I give, Buddhist or non-Buddhist.
I think it really comes down to when, what and how you present your ideas.
You also have to be aware of your own intentions and make sure they are wholesome. Do you really want to help this person? Or are you more interested in glorifying your own choices?
If you give advice from respect, humility, compassion and understanding, I don't think you'll go wrong.
I think that the problem with proselytizers is that they are more concerned with either building an army of supporters or building up their own egos.
I'd like to agree but this hasn't been my experience.
P
I first visited Thailand in about 1987, and let's face it, you don't visit Thailand without visiting some Thai Buddhist temples. My then roommate's family in Chiang Mai offered to take me sightseeing and took me to the hilltop temple there and let me witness the Buddhist rites in which they participated. They did not generate any discussion, other than to say that they thought I would like to see what Thai people do in a Buddhist temple. There was no suggestion of any type that I should become Buddhist or that Buddhism was the right way.
A year later I again went to Thailand and generated a couple of discussions with monks. One involved proselytizing. That monk said very clearly that proselytizing was not appropriate because the only way one could come to Buddhist beliefs was to seek it out themselves, not by having others push them toward it.
While my friends have long known that I follow many Buddhist principles, I have never initiated conversations about it. If they ask questions, I answer as best I can. A couple of friends asked me to take them to a Thai Buddhist temple in the Washington, D.C. area, and I did so. While I explained things to them, I did not in any way try to say Buddhism was better (one was Jewish, the other Christian). They have often expressed their appreciation for the introduction to Buddhism, but have not pursued it. What made me happy was that they have an appreciation of Buddhism, just as I can appreciate their beliefs.
My personal belief is that no religion has all the wisdom and all the answers. Buddhism fulfills many of my needs, but not all. I value it for what it is and does.