fbpx
Menu

What to do?

Home→Forums→Emotional Mastery→What to do?

New Reply
Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • August 17, 2013 at 6:51 pm #40671
    MJ
    Participant

    hello i’m a newbie here and i think i found my place.
    living in a country where the main religion is Roman Catholic (Criatianity) , saying that you feel like you’re a buddhist is a mortal sin and make you feels like you betray your country, i don’t know..but ever since i was a child i can’t give my whole heart with this kind of faith, i always feel skeptic towards it, i’ve seen many people who act like they are a good christian but they never apply it with their lives. and so many more issues that makes me doubtful about this kind of faith.. but I’m not generalizing it,maybe there’s a lot good christian out there. but what makes me say that i think i’m a buddhist is that i know that buddhism is not actually a religion but a way of living life. and i like the thoughts of it because it makes me feel the freedom and at the same time the responsibility of my actions without fearing anything like you won’t go to heaven or going to hell,something like that…people around me can’t understand what buddhism really is, and they can’t relate to what i’m saying because they will never give me a chance to explain and they just can’t understand, i don’t know why…maybe because they stick to the faith that has taught to them. its so hard to be different with others but do i have to go with the flow even if i’m not at peace with it?

    August 18, 2013 at 7:15 am #40688
    Matt
    Participant

    Mary Jane,

    I can relate to what you’re describing… surrounded by people with different views, and not sure how to relate to them. I found peace when I realized that Jesus was not a Christian, he was much closer to a Buddhist than modern Christians.

    So it is easy and heartfelt when I talk to Christians, because Jesus is one of my heroes. He walked the walk, living a life of compassion, integrity, wisdom and giving. I do my best to do the same. I feel at peace with Jesus and Buddha and Matt sitting, meditating together, letting the heart open to the world. If Christians are stuck on the notion of Church=Jesus, then that is their baggage. Consider picking up a book titled “Living Buddha, Living Christ” by Thich Nhat Hahn. It may help the dualism settle. After all, it doesn’t really matter what you believe vs what they believe, but rather how each of the moments we share with others is full of sincerity and compassion. Sometimes this means it is helpful to learn how to speak the truth of Buddhism in Christian language. Much like we benefit from learning the native language of a country we live in. Namaste.

    With warmth,
    Matt

    August 18, 2013 at 7:18 am #40689
    Matt
    Participant

    Mary Jane,

    I can relate to what you’re describing… surrounded by people with different views, and not sure how to relate to them. I found peace when I realized that Jesus was not a Christian, he was much closer to a Buddhist than modern Christians.

    So it is easy and heartfelt when I talk to Christians, because Jesus is one of my heroes. He walked the walk, living a life of compassion, integrity, wisdom and giving. I do my best to do the same. I feel at peace with Jesus and Buddha and Matt sitting, meditating together, letting the heart open to the world. If Christians are stuck on the notion of Church=Jesus, then that is their baggage. Consider picking up a book titled “Living Buddha, Living Christ” by Thich Nhat Hahn. It may help the dualism settle. After all, it doesn’t really matter what you believe vs what they believe, but rather how each of the moments we share with others is full of sincerity and compassion. Sometimes this means it is helpful to learn how to speak the truth of Buddhism in Christian language. Much like we benefit from learning the native language of a country we live in. Namaste.

    With warmth,
    Matt

    August 18, 2013 at 8:29 am #40690
    Matt
    Participant

    Sorry for the double post, not sure what happened!

    August 18, 2013 at 10:01 am #40696
    MJ
    Participant

    Matt,
    Thanks for sharing your ideas. I’ll try to read that book,but i don’t know if that’s available here in our country.
    Christians here are fanatic, they also believed in so many saints etc.. I’m not condemning them for it, Christianity is part of our culture that’s why thinking that i have a different view makes me feel that I’m abandoning my nationality. As you know talking about beliefs sometimes or most of the times bring conflicts, I have kept it within myself for a long time and , i’m just hoping that there’s people I can reach who have the same views as mine and i found this site. it was helpful. thanks a lot. I’m hoping and looking forward for more posts of wisdom that’s not biased by religion but by experiences of people who knows how it is to be a ‘human’..
    I’m grateful,
    MJ

    August 18, 2013 at 10:51 am #40701
    maitri2all
    Participant

    I have struggled much with this religion that dominated us culture and slavery and wars and money

    Buddha is the only Buddhist
    Jesus Christ is the only Christian

    Buddha would not want Christ to become a “Buddhist”
    Christ would not want Buddha to become a Christian

    I think both only offered knowledge and teachings to assist their fellow species members to see pains for what they are and how to heal them

    I do not understand how anyone can claim their cultural and of geographical origin stories/tales are the absolute fact of the whole universe

    It is difficult but know their intention is of good

    I have trouble with the “some being unseen and outside of me is always listening and roots for my team with me and helps my president win and …”

    This is a good conversation..

    August 19, 2013 at 7:41 am #40753
    Jade
    Participant

    In some countries, it’s impossible to separate religion from culture, it’s just too ingrained into society. I grew up in a country where there were a few different religions, but it was basically assumed that you HAD to believe in some kind of god, scepticism or an “I’m still on the fence” attitude was unheard of, which was how I felt about religion. I believe that most religious figures were visionaries with important insights about humanity and life, but I can’t believe in some magical invisible force controlling my life or watching over me. I’m too realistic/scientific for that!

  • Author
    Posts
Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Please log in OR register.