Who has converted to Buddhism?

[Jeffs0418]

My husband claims he is a Buddhist. But every time he swats a fly or mosquito I remind him that he is being bad.

 

[blueto21]

I hope you understand where I'm coming from.

 

[sparky95]

My husband claims he is a Buddhist. But every time he swats a fly or mosquito I remind him that he is being bad.

I'll have to remember that one!

 

[Kurn]

The only way it seems that way (denying common humanity) is via truncated presentations/understandings of Buddhism. "Common humanity" is in fact a foundation assumption. Sometimes our assumptions make us mysterious because we tend to assume they are obvious. No matter how 'logical' you are, it is sometimes good for everyone to state the obvious.

 

[Kurn]

CGHJ and SoKalKarma sorta wrote my post for me. Me, too.

I still have a molecule of Christianity in me. (The church situation is dog-vomit for me) But Buddhism western-style is for me. I find I understand people from the Far East better. I imagine Eastern traditions get looking ridiculous in the mind-bodies of Americans (especially NewYorkers????). But if you concentrate on making it all authentic to yourself it works. This is actually what the Buddha intended. But again, I find I have a vibe of comprehension that I didn't have before when I meet Japanese, Vietnamese and others who have lived in the West for a time.

Well, I decided I was Buddhist back in February. All these years and...SO, THAT'S WHAT I AM.

A good book: How to make the mind an ally, by Sakyong Mipham.

 

[ANDORYUU]

I have recently turned to buddhism in order to guide me to a better life. I have been caught up in all suffering, both internal and external sources. Buddhism is the only path that leads to the end of suffering and enlightenment.

 

[Royal Heart]

Well, it's not the only path, but it is one of the most efficient ones. After all, the Buddha didn't invent the Dharma, he simply described it through his own experiences. Generally, Buddhists are no more enlightened than Christians or Wiccans, or even Pastafarians.

I can't recall where I found it, but I came across this quote a few days ago:

Once the Buddha was asked that question - 'Can you become enlightened in other traditions?' And he gave this beautiful answer: 'Wherever there's an eightfold path, wherever you practise a bit of meditation, some virtue, some wisdom, there you'll find people becoming enlightened."

Anyways, I wish you all the best, Andrew! May all the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Arhats, and Dharma Protectors lend you their blessings and inspiration so that you can realize the path.

 

[metta]

I have recently turned to buddhism in order to guide me to a better life. I have been caught up in all suffering, both internal and external sources. Buddhism is the only path that leads to the end of suffering and enlightenment.

I'm happy that you found something that works for you. But, I do not think that what you wrote is a Buddhist teaching. Buddhism normally teaches that there are many paths to enlightenment. Buddhism is one path.

 

[ANALyst]

I'm happy that you found something that works for you. But, I do not think that what you wrote is a Buddhist teaching. Buddhism normally teaches that there are many paths to enlightenment. Buddhism is one path.

Indeed. Buddhism stresses that there are multiple paths to enlightenment. There is no one universal truth, Buddhism is but one truth out of many truths in the world. This precept is what makes Buddhism so beautiful. It stresses tolerance and acceptance of differing opinions and beliefs, and I believe it is one of the greatest lessons Buddhism has to offer.

 

[Fallen1984]

Like others, I didn't really convert per se (I realized early on that Christianity simply didn't jive with me, so I never considered myself an adherent to any religion to begin with).

When I was in high school, I slowly became more acquainted with Buddhism through books and the net and felt like I was discovering a framework for how I already felt about the world. I've been practicing ever since.

 

[Centexfarmer]

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.

Thank you for allowing me an opportunity to segue into my comments as to why I converted to Buddhism.

I believe the Biblical text comes from John 14:6:

I am the way, the truth, and the light, and no man can come to the Father but by me.

Been there, done that!

You can read more of my agreement on the matter here: I AM the Way.

I was Baptised in a Pentecostal Church, both in "by fire," and "by water."

I wanted nothing more than to find and to know "the truth."

Buddhism neither acknowledges nor does it deny the existance of a "One true God."

My experience in the "Christian Church," was enlightening. The premise of God "centered" faiths appears to me to be based upon "fear of punishment, and hope of a reward," without taking any responsibility for one's own "salvation."

The only commandment that I recall Jesus ever giving was:

"LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU."

How does one do that?

Like styleguru I too embraced the Buddhism of Nichiren Diashonin.

I joined SGI-USA because "the practice" makes sense to me.

Chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, and meditating while chanting makes sense to me. The teachings of Buddhism not only make sense to me, the teachings in no way conflict with the teachings of Christ.

Buddhism has brought peace and understanding in my life on a day to day basis.

By acknowledging the Buddha Nature within myself, I'm also recognizing it within you. What is Buddha Nature? It is the potential that we all have for enlightenment, as we are, and in this life-time.

I've learned that in life that there are only four inescapable sufferings:

1. Being born into this world.
2. Growing old in this world.
3. Becoming sick or ill in this world.
4. The suffering of dying and leaving this world.

Everything else, and our "attachments" to them are sufferings that WE can change.

Embracing the Lotus Sutra, and to take faith in it, is something that I do on a minute to minute basis. It's not something that I "believe" in without question, it's about logic and reason. It's about faith, practice, and study. When I study, it deepens my faith, and furthers my practice, which inspires me to study, which futher deepens my faith and so on.

I've come to learn that everything is contained within the single phrase:

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.

That none of us are seperate from the Universe, from our Environment, or from each other.

Once I recognized that truth, I took responsibility for my own salvation. I have nothing but thanksgiving and appreciation for teachings that I've encountered along my path.

If there is something as final as "judgement day," and I have to stand before God and atone for my actions, I'm confident within my heart that I've not turned my back on his teaching, I just took a different path in carrying them out.

I Am The Captain Of My Soul

Out of the night that covers me, black as the pit from pole to pole. I thank whatever gods may be for my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance my head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears, looms but the horror of the shade, and yet the menace of the years finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul.

"Invictus,"
by William Earnest Henley

Namaste!

 

[necromancer1980]

After looking at all the religions out there over the past few years, I've pretty much decided that the only one that really appeals to me is Buddhism...I I actually like none of the other religions at all, so luckily Buddhism, the only alternative, I liked. I think I really got interested in it ages ago when I met one of the family friends who was a Buddhist.

 

[metta]

 

[LarsVenice]

I wouldn't say that I converted to Buddhism, but I agree with its teachings more than with any other religion. I might consider myself a Theosophist, however, although I definitely do not believe in the anthropomorphic god of Abraham. I learned a lot from Hinduism when I was in college, but when I was very small (about 4-5 years old), a cousin (by marriage) who was studying in Hong Kong for his PhD in oriental languages would teach me about Buddhism when he visited me. What he told me made much more sense than what I was told in Christian churches. I consider Hinduism a precursor to Buddhism (as Judaism is to Christianity), and I think Hinduism may be older than Judaism. Certainly Hinduism is much more compatible with modern science, since it recognizes the true age of the universe.

 

[mydrew1]

Me, I've been a Buddhist since 2001

 

[Kurn]

I have been reading about Buddhism and Buddhist societies over the last few months and came away thinking, "I'm not a Buddhist, just a western mind strongly influenced by Buddhism."

But then after saying that i began to have a lot of thoughts along the lines of "Much of what I am is very Buddhist."

Buddhism can be a very interesting topic.
Or it can be a Way to know Reality.

 

[Capricornus]

I have been lucky enough to study Buddhism as part of my A Level RE course (my final exam is on Thursday but thats another story) and whilst, it would be wrong to say I have converted, I have without a doubt took on board some of the ideas it teaches and internalised them, in particular anicca. It is such an obvious thing which I think makes it the most powerful teaching, that everything changes and it only causes dukkha to try and make it stop. I think that in a world full of questions, Buddhism is refreshing in that it just tells you that some things, like the three universal truths, you just have to accept. Yes, the Buddha said that his teachings were open to be tested, but it is my understanding that a lot of 'traditional' theological issues such as the beginning of the universe just arent important because they lead to attachment. Correct me if I am wrong ^_^

On a much more whimsical note, my possible favourite quote, paraphrased is by a bhikku who asked "Sea slug, sea slug, when will you be a Buddha?" In my opinion Buddhism has a sense of humour which is always good.

 

[ladygrey]

I blend.

I've studied the faith, have a great respect for it, have went on retreats, but in itself, the faith is not enough.

I need ritual and the ability to burn things. And I disagree with the rigidity of some stuctures.

And I'm also a practicing Wiccan, so that makes things problematic, because in the faith as I've been taught, we can not alter reality. Which means that things like healing, reiki, magick, and any other way of "bending" or "twisting" is not allowed.

So I can't really be a strict Buddist. But I take what fits and leave what doesn't.

 

[TheObserver]

Excellent contributions, OrionFyre.