Who has converted to Buddhism?

[ANALyst]

I was born a Buddhist, and I've chosen to remain a Buddhist. But seemingly every time I mention my faith, someone asks where the nearest temple is, or someone asks about converting.

So for those of you who have converted, or are think about converting to Buddhism, a simple question: What was/is the reason?

I can think of a few, but I rather hear from people themselves. Since I was born a Buddhist, a lot of my reasons are more culturally related than anything overly spiritual, so please enlighten me... (no pun intended)

Thanks!

 

[CGHJ]

I have not actually "converted to Buddhism" in the sense of going to a temple and learning rituals. However I have learned through simple observation that buddhist principles are what actually "works". I feel that Buddhism is what comes closest to describing what's really there. I believe that Gautama Buddha was truly an enlightened being and that we must take his advice and be "Lamps unto ourselves".

To me Buddhism holds tremendous validity because I came to those priciples on my own, and later learned that what I believed was described by Buddhism. No one ever came to me and tried to steer me in that direction, or convince me it was the right path or even tell me about it at all.

Applying even the most basic buddhist principles in my life has brought me tremendous peace and contentment where there was none before. Where there was chaos, now there is order.

I don't consider Buddhism a religion so much as a description of how the Universe actually works. And meditation is the key to your mind, and buddhism can help you unlock it and nurture it.

 

[josefjosef]

I concur with the above writer - Buddhism is a source of comfort etc.
The problem with going all the way is that I can not let go of the individual - I do not believe that we will all melt into some great big cosmic blob - it does not make logical sense.

Another problem I have with Buddhism is not really Buddhism but the assholes who "convert" - these people are worse than Druids; they are depressing pyschotics who should just go back to their temples, churches and weekend beatings. I have gone up state New York for a retreat and the best thing about the retreat was leaving - the people (non-Asians) are mentally oppressive and should consider alcholism as a viable pathway for themselves. Life is not sitting around on pillows, eating the worse food ever, and being a total bore . When I go to a Buddhist temple I make sure I seek one out that is New York City People Attitude free.

 

[josefjosef]

Another serious silliness of Buddhism is prohibition - there are historical reasons to discourage drinking booze - but life without a good wine, nice beer, pleasant dessert wine, an aperitif begins to demean any level of existence.

All things considered I feel comfortable with many of the essential core beliefs - sure beats some of the suggested physical beatings encouraged in the torah, and the idiot snake handlers in New Testament - and the list can go on and on and on.

 

[teadrinker]

Having spent a week overseas teachng with a colleague who was a serious Buddhist (he was himself Vietnamese), and with whom i had some very long talks, I did some reading when I got home. My colleague lent me some books. There is a lot to admire in Buddhism - as indeed there is in any of the world's great religions - but I found it left me cold. Buddhism seemed to me to deny common humanity, and I kept coming up against this idea.

So I'm not likely to convert. But I admire Buddhists, as I admire Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Jews and the rest, if they can be serious, humane and philosophical without being dogmatic and narrow-minded.

-T.

 

[ANALyst]

Thanks for all your replies.

I don't consider Buddhism a religion so much as a description of how the Universe actually works. And meditation is the key to your mind, and buddhism can help you unlock it and nurture it.

Many people consider Buddhism more of a philosophy to life rather than a religion. It's a way of looking at things, but I have to stress that Buddhism, being highly adaptable, differs between cultures.

There is a lot to admire in Buddhism - as indeed there is in any of the world's great religions - but I found it left me cold. Buddhism seemed to me to deny common humanity, and I kept coming up against this idea.

Buddhism is considered by some, to be a non-theistic religion, one without a God or any type of guiding, intelligent force, which can lead to a feeling of emptiness.

As I have mentioned Buddhism highly adaptable, and thus is probably the most internally diverse religions in the world. Theravada Buddhism, for instance is the more traditional interpretation of the Buddha's teachings, and is likely the most attractive to people. This branch reveres Lord Buddha as a great teacher, but not as a God.

I was raised a Mahayana Buddhist, our interpretation of the Buddha's teachings and the concept of Buddha is much different. In many ways, Mahayana Buddhism resembles traditional, theistic religions (such as Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, etc..), in which salvation is possible with the help of Bodhisattvas (celestial beings that delay Buddhahood themselves, to help humanity reach Buddhahood.)

It is interesting to see why people are attracted to the religion, though. Buddhism however, is, in my opinion, quite complex due to the many permutations possible. This is what I love about Buddhism, these differences are okay and encouraged. Buddhism stresses that there is no ONE universal path to enlightenment, there are many paths that lead to nirvana, we just have to find the right one for us...

 

[Royal Heart]

There's a point that has to be made here. We have the four noble truths.
1) Life is suffering
2) There is a cause to suffering
3) There is an end to suffering
4) There is a way leading to that end of suffering.

I've always disagreed with the translation that life=suffering. Life is not, itself, suffering. Life has suffering. This subtle difference implies that life doesn't have to have suffering. It alludes that there is a way out of suffering.

As we are right now we are subject to dukkha, suffering for lack of a better word. In any form of life we can experience, we are subject to suffering. No matter how perfect our health, how perfect our wealth, even if we have no wants or desires because everything is granted to us, we will suffer. This is the first noble truth.

I can't recall who it was, but someone was explaining that the term "dukkha" is generally described as being the image of a wheel stuck in the mud. It's unable to turn freely as it's caught up in the mess beneath it.

This perception is wrong. Our bodies may be different, our karmic bodies are different, but in all of us rests an identical buddha body. my Buddha body is no different than you.

I agree. The fundamental delusion of the human species is that you are there and I am here.

furthermore, the development of technology has always been a double edged sword. With more technology comes greater risk of using it for evil purposes. the invention of the knife allowed us to cut meats, and use it utilitarian like. But in the hands of certain people it could be used to kill. His power ot kill was limited with the knife. The gun, the missle, atomic fision. All of these are based off of technologies which bennefit people, and can be used by people to kill.

The mind is also like this. Capable of great harm and great skill. It's all in how one chooses to use it. If it is sharp or dull, if it is used to cut ignorance (like mah hommie Manjushri does) or one's "enemies."

On one hand is the viewpoint that there is a higher ideal, a more sublime reality than can be experienced here in this life. This view extends itself to seeing everything as impermanent, including life and self. The goal of this view is anuttara samyuksambodhi, the aceivement of nirvana, the extinguishing of desire and craving.

Ah, but isn't anuttara samyuksambodhi the sort of supreme enlightenment that being such as Shakyamuni and Maitreya are meant to have? Bodhisattvas hold off on attaining that level of enlightenment, ne?

The goal of Buddhism is enlightenment. period, end of discussion LOL. Everything else is considered extracurricular and ultimately not benneficial to the path. This includes sex, money, pleasure, belongings etc etc.

But, of course, enlightenment itself is not the end. You don't get there and then sit down, and "be" enlightened. Enlightenment is a continuously unfolding process. Buddha Shakyamuni is in a constant state of enlightenment. In the metaphysics of the chakra system, the crown chakra is depicted as being a thousand-petal lotus that is in a ceaseless state of opening. I think that's a nice visual metaphor for enlightenment.

 

[FUNKMEJUNK]

I am a Christian. I believe that the only way to have a relationship with God is through Jesus Christ, why do I believe this? Because Jesus himself said he is the truth! If he is truth then everything else is false. There is only one God. Jesus is the only way to heaven. I don't believe in Jesus just because, but I believe in him because I have invited him into my heart and life. His holy spirit is the GREAT comforter and he opens your eyes to everything that is true and false. He is the ultimate love..he is love! so i challenge non believers to invite him inside your heart and start a relationship with the creator of the universe. BUT of course you have to really want him in your heart, God is a gentleman and he will never force himself into anyones life. And with Christianity you are focused on a loving God and not on yourself unlike other faiths out there. If you want to be truly enlightened why not come to the one and only God who laid down his life for you, so that you could have a real relationship with him. peace&love FMJ

22We are made right with God by putting our faith in Jesus Christ. That happens to all who believe.

It is no different for the Jews than for anyone else. 23Everyone has sinned. No one measures up to God's glory. 24The free gift of God's grace makes all of us right with him. Christ Jesus paid the price to set us free.

ROMANS 3:22-24

 

[sparky95]

I'm curious about converts to Buddhism as well. Most I've met seem to have converted to Tibetan Buddhism, which seems in many ways as rigid and moralistic as Catholicism. (I am R.C. myself) My bf who is Japanese and Buddhist by birth tends to regard converts as a bit of a bunch of odd cases. Is this a fair view?

 

[metta]

As a child, I went to a private Christian school, Sunday School, and Church on Sunday. Today, I'm not a Christian. I'm not able to relate to it at all. I have studied several other religions, but none of them really felt like something that I could accept as being true.

I took a meditation class at a Buddhist Monastery several years ago. I also ended up taking a few Dharma classes as well. I can relate to Buddhism more than any other religion/spirituality that I have looked into. I can only see good things coming out of their teachings. I generally stayed with the basic teachings of the Buddha. I also found the cultural aspects of Buddhism fascinating from a historical stand point. I don’t think that I can call myself a Buddhist right now. But I do appreciate many of its teachings and I do have a couple Buddha statues in my home. I hope to take more Buddhist classes in the future, when I have a little free time.

Obvious to anyone who knows anything about Buddhism, from the name that I chose to be on this web site, Buddhism has had a profound affect on me that I am thankful for. I actually found Buddhism, as taught by the Buddha (not the cultural stuff), to fit in very well with things that I already believe in.

 

[metta]

I am a Christian. I believe that the only way to have a relationship with God is through Jesus Christ, why do I believe this? Because Jesus himself said he is the truth! If he is truth then everything else is false. There is only one God. Jesus is the only way to heaven. I don't believe in Jesus just because, but I believe in him because I have invited him into my heart and life. His holy spirit is the GREAT comforter and he opens your eyes to everything that is true and false. He is the ultimate love..he is love! so i challenge non believers to invite him inside your heart and start a relationship with the creator of the universe. BUT of course you have to really want him in your heart, God is a gentleman and he will never force himself into anyones life. And with Christianity you are focused on a loving God and not on yourself unlike other faiths out there. If you want to be truly enlightened why not come to the one and only God who laid down his life for you, so that you could have a real relationship with him. peace&love FMJ

22We are made right with God by putting our faith in Jesus Christ. That happens to all who believe.

It is no different for the Jews than for anyone else. 23Everyone has sinned. No one measures up to God's glory. 24The free gift of God's grace makes all of us right with him. Christ Jesus paid the price to set us free.

ROMANS 3:22-24

Buddhism does not go against Christianity. You can be a Christian Buddhist, a Jewish Buddhist, or just a Christian. It does not matter to Buddhists. In Buddhism, they believe that there are several paths to the same goal, which is to enlightenment. There is no discussion of a God in Buddhism. Buddha was a man who obtained enlightenment. There are statues used in Buddhism, but these were developed to teach people about mindfulness, compassion, etc., before the average person could read and write. The statues do not represent Gods or idols, they represent stories and teachings. It is the Buddhists that created the first University, the first hospital, and started the study of psycology before the term was even created.

I personally do think that it is sad that a religion feels that they must say that "everything else is false" if they do not teach it themselves.

 

[metta]

but I found it left me cold. Buddhism seemed to me to deny common humanity, and I kept coming up against this idea.

Interesting. Could you explain how it "deny's common humanity" in a little more detail.

Buddism is a religion/spirituality/philosophy/way of life that teaches compassion and mindfulness, and that teaches people to make choices that cause the least harm to all living things. I found it to be completely the opposite as to what you are suggesting. It is fascinating to get different perspectives.

There are the original teaching of Buddhism, which can be found in the dharma, 2 main schools of teachings (Theravadan [insight meditation] & Mahāyānan) , and then around 40 different cultural forms of Buddhism.

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The Eight Fold-Path[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]1. Right View, Understanding;
2. Right Attitude, Thought or Emotion;
3. Right Speech;
4. Right Action;
[/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]5. Right livelihood;
[/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]6. Right Effort, Energy, and Vitality;
[/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]7. Right Mindfulness or Awareness;
[/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]8. Right Samadhi "concentration".[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The Five Precepts in positive terms[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]I undertake the training precept to:[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]1. Act with Loving-kindness;
2. Be open hearted and generous;
3. Practice stillness, simplicity and contentment;
4. Speak with truth, clarity and peace;
5. Live with mindfulness.[/font]

 

[KentuckyPython]

I converted to Buddhism (Nichiren Shoshu School) practiced faithfully for six years, and left the practice to pick up once again my Pagan roots. I converted because I was searching for something. Unfortunately, I was looking outside myself for the answers. Buddishm taught me to look inward to find my Path. I still very much respect what I learned and the practice of Buddhism, but I discovered that particular path is not the one I need to follow in this life. In many ways the teachings I learned have stayed with me, and they are part of my world if not my spiritual practice.

In case anyone might wonder, I have no issue with any spiritual path as long as the followers don't seek to stop my practice of faith.

 

[FUNKMEJUNK]

Buddhism does not go against Christianity. You can be a Christian Buddhist, a Jewish Buddhist, or just a Christian. It does not matter to Buddhists. In Buddhism, they believe that there are several paths to the same goal, which is to enlightenment. There is no discussion of a God in Buddhism. Buddha was a man who obtained enlightenment. There are statues used in Buddhism, but these were developed to teach people about mindfulness, compassion, etc., before the average person could read and write. The statues do not represent Gods or idols, they represent stories and teachings. It is the Buddhists that created the first University, the first hospital, and started the study of psycology before the term was even created.

I personally do think that it is sad that a religion feels that they must say that "everything else is false" if they do not teach it themselves.

Why then, did Jesus Christ have to suffer such a horrible death? And what about heaven, Jesus said he is the ONLY way to heaven. Christianity is not a religion, it is a relationship with God. Religion is man made. And God did not call us to be enlightened he called us to be holy, because he is holy.

 

[metta]

Why then, did Jesus Christ have to suffer such a horrible death? And what about heaven, Jesus said he is the ONLY way to heaven. Christianity is not a religion, it is a relationship with God. Religion is man made. And God did not call us to be enlightened he called us to be holy, because he is holy.

Your asking the wrong person. I'm not a Christian. I personaly do not believe that Jesus is the only person in history to suffer a horrible death or the only one to be crucified. I don't believe that he died for my sins. I also don't believe that a 'perfect' place exists after we die. A perfect place would be boring and it does not sound realistic to me. I also don't believe that the bible is an accurate representation of bibical times.

I find it interesting that you believe that "Religion is man made", you get your information out of a man made book (the bible), yet you say that Christianity is not a religion.

Main Entry: re·li·gion
Pronunciation: ri-'li-j&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English religioun, from Latin religion-, religio supernatural constraint, sanction, religious practice, perhaps from religare to restrain, tie back -- more at [size=-1]RELY[/size]
1 a : the state of a religious <a nun in her 20th year of religion> b (1) : the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2) : commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
2 : a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices
3 archaic : scrupulous conformity : [size=-1]CONSCIENTIOUSNESS[/size]
4 : a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith

http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/religion

Yes, Buddhism is man made. It is normally the very first thing a person learns when he/she begins to study Buddhism. It does not try to be anything other than what it is. And it believes in questioning everything, including itself.

 

[blueto21]

I am a Christian. I believe that the only way to have a relationship with God is through Jesus Christ, why do I believe this? Because Jesus himself said he is the truth! If he is truth then everything else is false. There is only one God. Jesus is the only way to heaven. I don't believe in Jesus just because, but I believe in him because I have invited him into my heart and life. His holy spirit is the GREAT comforter and he opens your eyes to everything that is true and false. He is the ultimate love..he is love! so i challenge non believers to invite him inside your heart and start a relationship with the creator of the universe. BUT of course you have to really want him in your heart, God is a gentleman and he will never force himself into anyones life. And with Christianity you are focused on a loving God and not on yourself unlike other faiths out there. If you want to be truly enlightened why not come to the one and only God who laid down his life for you, so that you could have a real relationship with him. peace&love FMJ

22We are made right with God by putting our faith in Jesus Christ. That happens to all who believe.

It is no different for the Jews than for anyone else. 23Everyone has sinned. No one measures up to God's glory. 24The free gift of God's grace makes all of us right with him. Christ Jesus paid the price to set us free.

ROMANS 3:22-24

This is so disrespect.

 

[FUNKMEJUNK]

This is so disrespect.

if telling the truth about God and salvation is disrespectful, so be it. I'm not here to be liked I'm here to tell the truth about God's word and what he has to say about eternity. There is a lot of so called Christians who don't even preach on hell anymore because they don't want to offend anybody. Well, hell is real if you believe it or not because God said it is, which is why he sent Jesus to die for us, so that through him SOME might be saved. So if telling anybody about the truth of God is a dis well then I guess I will continue to "dis". You DON"T know the true and living God If you don't have Christ in your heart and life, I can boldly say that with authority because of what God's word says.

 

[sparky95]

Could we please keep to question posted on the thread!

 

[blueto21]

if telling the truth about God and salvation is disrespectful, so be it. I'm not here to be liked I'm here to tell the truth about God's word and what he has to say about eternity. There is a lot of so called Christians who don't even preach on hell anymore because they don't want to offend anybody. Well, hell is real if you believe it or not because God said it is, which is why he sent Jesus to die for us, so that through him SOME might be saved. So if telling anybody about the truth of God is a dis well then I guess I will continue to "dis". You DON"T know the true and living God If you don't have Christ in your heart and life, I can boldly say that with authority because of what God's word says.

It's disrespectful because this thread isn't about you or YOUR god. This thread wasn't intended to discussion Christianity. It was intended to discuss and IS about BUDDHISM. NOT Christianity!

What's disrespectful is telling someone that their belief system is worthless because you FEEL they are wrong.

There is nothing wrong with questioning and discussion everyone has this right, but to come into a thread and deliberately belittle other people’s faith and to put yours on a superior pedestal to theirs while attempting to convert them is DISRESPECTFUL. I don't care how you put it. You can give it whatever little fancy name you want but it is still disrespectful. It’s inconsiderate, disrespectful, arrogant, rude, and impolite. This isn't about you or YOUR god. It's about respecting peoples rights to believe what they want. This thread was intended for individuals to discuss Buddhism and for those who are considering converting to Buddhism. This thread was never about Christianity.

And what’s even more interesting to me is, if heaven is filled with people like you I would rather go to hell. Please send me a one way ticket the other way. Because that to me would be the most torturing experience of all time in having to spend all eternity with inconsiderate people like yourself.

Your condescending attitude won’t encourage people to convert to your religion. If it’s anything that will turn them off completely.

But hey I guess you are the ideal example of a Christ follower.

 

[FUNKMEJUNK]

It's disrespectful because this thread isn't about you or YOUR god. This thread wasn't intended to discussion Christianity. It was intended to discuss and IS about BUDDHISM. NOT Christianity!

What's disrespectful is telling someone that their belief system is worthless because you FEEL they are wrong.

There is nothing wrong with questioning and discussion everyone has this right, but to come into a thread and deliberately belittle other people’s faith and to put yours on a superior pedestal to theirs while attempting to convert them is DISRESPECTFUL. I don't care how you put it. You can give it whatever little fancy name you want but it is still disrespectful. It’s inconsiderate, disrespectful, arrogant, rude, and impolite. This isn't about you or YOUR god. It's about respecting peoples rights to believe what they want. This thread was intended for individuals to discuss Buddhism and for those who are considering converting to Buddhism. This thread was never about Christianity.

And what’s even more interesting to me is, if heaven is filled with people like you I would rather go to hell. Please send me a one way ticket the other way. Because that to me would be the most torturing experience of all time in having to spend all eternity with inconsiderate people like yourself.

Your condescending attitude won’t encourage people to convert to your religion. If it’s anything that will turn them off completely.

But hey I guess you are the ideal example of a Christ follower.