Converts/Reverts from Buddhism

[Mystic_Warrior]

wow, fascinating. I think it would be neat to make a collection of stories of people like you and the others who have responded who have come back to Christianity or ‘discovered’ Christianity after a time of studying Buddhism. I am sorry to hear of the hurt feelings when you left the Jodo Shu sect, I know it is hard because you had probably formed some positive relationships with these folks and made friends.

would you tell me about your current faith practice? how long ago did you began turning back to Christ? recently?

Hello again Barry. Well, I don’t know about fascinating, but it’s been a heck of a ride the past 5 years. My mentor in Jodo Shu was a half-Asian, half-white (no disrespect at all or racism here). We were very close. When I announced that I was leaving Buddhism he was kind, but it was clear that our relationship was over. I was an up and coming American who had embraced this little known Japanese Buddhist sect and the bishop and priests saw this as an opportunity to instill a truly American extension of their faith.

I currently attend a Lutheran church which I love. I began a complete returning back to Jesus May of last year. After experiencing some dark forces when still practicing Buddhism (not in me, but in someone else) I began to ask people in the Amida Buddhism faith about how to combat these forces. They did not know. They had no experience. That’s when I knew there was only one place to go to - the Church and Jesus Christ. I came before my Father, asked for forgiveness and committed the rest of my life to fighting evil in His name.

Peace…

MW

 

[Dulcinea]

Barry,

I wanted to address your questions b/c I am currently struggling with this issue re: my husband, who is a Jodo Shinshu (Pure Land)Buddhist from birth.

1. How did you come back to the Church?

I was born and raised as a Catholic (baptised, communion, confirmation)and attended Catholic grammar schools. I dropped away from Catholicism and became interested in Zen Buddhism over 10 yrs. ago, and met my husband (who as I mentioned is a Jodo Shinshu Buddhist) six yrs. ago. We have been happily married, but now I feel drawn back to Catholicism and (if you read my previous post on the Non-Catholic religions thread), this is now affecting my marriage. I am planning to return to the Catholic church b/c I do not feel comfortable with Buddhism any longer.

1. What was it about Buddhism that was/is interesting or appealing?

I love its compassion, calmness obtained through meditation, and some of the other things mentioned by others on this thread. However, I don’t believe I ever practiced its real beliefs as you mentioned, otherwise I would not feel this rejection of it.

1. What negative or positive experiences did you have as a result of your experiences?

Some of the issues about the lack of a God, the absolute “nothingness” of everything and how nothing really matters, started to affect me psychologically and I felt no comfort from Buddhism.

I have read some of your previous remarks to others about the philosophy of Buddhism v. Catholicism, and I would be interested to know what advice (if any) you can offer me in my dilemma with my husband, whom I love very much. In a previous post I mentioned that when he was in the military he was told by a fellow soldier who was (unfortunately) Roman Catholic, that he was a “pagan” and an “idol worshipper” and would not be “saved.” My husband never told me about this experience until recently when I mentioned that I would like to return to Catholicism. It has caused a great deal of hurt on his part b/c he thinks I am going back to this “horrible” religion of which he only has bad memories. I would appreciate any help/advice you could offer, since you seem to be knowledgeable about both Buddism and Catholicism. Thanks very much.

P.S. I do agree with you that Pure Land Buddhism is similar to Christianity – I don’t know why my husband does not see this.

 

[Mystic_Warrior]

Dulcinea,

I know you addressed your comments to Barry, but I wanted to offer you my comments because my situation was similar to yours as well.

I practiced Jodo Shu Buddhism which believed that the practitioner needed to recite the Buddha’s name to receive the help and is more traditional in its Buddhist approach and practice. Jodo Shin-Shu has some real differences.

The Buddhist Churches of America are Jodo Shinshu. They have priests, but the atmosphere and practice is very similar to modern Christian protestantism. There are other doctrinal issues as well, but that’s beside my point.

My wife and I were raised Southern Baptist. Eventually I became Buddhist and she became a new-ager. We respected each other’s new faith and didn’t have any issues with raising our children. We were able to let the other be their own individual where religion was concerned.

I would draw some parallels between Christianity and Jodo Shin-Shu to find some common ground that actually does exist between the two even if it’s only on a small level. Now, both sides tend to diminish the similarities to distance themselves, but having practiced and studied both sides, there’s some common ground there.

Remind your husband that Catholicism respects other world religions - much more so than protestant Christianity. It’s unfortunate that he had that experience, but remind him that that was one person and doesn’t represent the Church globally.

You should definitely take it slow, not ask him to change quickly or at all and offer him some space to live his own faith. And he should do the same for you. It’s not easy living in a house where the couple follows different religious paths, but it is do-able.

Buddhism is a very tolerant religion (except for a few sects like the Nichirens). I would be surprised if he were anti-Christian. If he is he needs to re-evaluate his approach to Buddhism. Tolerance and kindness are key ingredients.

Just my thoughts.

Peace…

MW

 

[grandfather]

The Buddhist Churches of America are Jodo Shinshu. They have priests, but the atmosphere and practice is very similar to modern Christian protestantism. There are other doctrinal issues as well, but that’s beside my point.

MW

I don’t want to change the subject, but am curious. There are common practices or ideas in all religions.

The definition of a priest, no matter what religion, is someone who offers sacrifce.

Is the concept of priestly sacrifice present in Buddhism? If so, what sacrifice do their priests offer and to whom is it offered?

 

[Mystic_Warrior]

I don’t want to change the subject, but am curious. There are common practices or ideas in all religions.

The definition of a priest, no matter what religion, is someone who offers sacrifce.

Is the concept of priestly sacrifice present in Buddhism? If so, what sacrifice do their priests offer and to whom is it offered?

In the traditional forms of Buddhism that are most prevalent today that we call Theravada (Southern Asia and India) and Vajrayana (Tibetan), there are monks (celibate) and the laity. In Mahayana forms such as Zen, Jodo Shu and Jodo Shin-Shu Pure Land (which are Japanese), there are priests (not celibate) and laity. There are also monks in these traditions but the role of the laity is more pronounced and encouraged.

The priests are primarily teachers and do not offer sacrifices of any sort. They lead one in meditation and give talks to the laity, which is similar to the Protestant structure.

This is where Sidhartha Guatama (the historical Buddha) differed from the Hindu practices of his day. He did not recognize the sacrifices of other faiths as necessary to appease any gods. In his new movement, he abolished the caste system and sought the way to relieve all humans of the cycle of birth and death.

There’s no room for sacrifices in Buddhism.

Good questions, though. I’m sure others, such as Barry and Ahimsa can offer a much better analysis of the subject.

Peace…

MW

 

[grandfather]

There’s no room for sacrifices in Buddhism.

Good questions, though. I’m sure others, such as Barry and Ahimsa can offer a much better analysis of the subject.

Peace…

MW

Thank you. It is interesting that the concept of sacrifice is common in most religions even among cultures that were apart for millenia. It is of course the central doctrine of Christianity. God takes on human nature and makes Himself sacrifice for us.

I remember many years ago seeing the Dalai Lama on TV or some documentary talking about sacrifice, giving up or sacrificing one thing to get another. He was laughing and I could not get his point, whether he was endorsing the idea, or just talking about the concept. Maybe he was thinking about it as a principle that was foreign to his religion.

 

[Mystic_Warrior]

Thank you. It is interesting that the concept of sacrifice is common in most religions even among cultures that were apart for millenia. It is of course the central doctrine of Christianity. God takes on human nature and makes Himself sacrifice for us.

Yes, you’re exactly right. And I thank God for what He has done for me.

I remember many years ago seeing the Dalai Lama on TV or some documentary talking about sacrifice, giving up or sacrificing one thing to get another. He was laughing and I could not get his point, whether he was endorsing the idea, or just talking about the concept. Maybe he was thinking about it as a principle that was foreign to his religion.

I have a profound respect for His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. I’ve actually never met such a humble and joyful human being. The historical Buddha originally was an ascetic. He did it to the point of almost dying. That’s when he realized the “middle way” between indulgence and abstinence.

It’s interesting, but I never encountered or thought about the concept of sacrifice while studying and practicing Buddhism. Now you have me thinking I might just go back over my books and see what I find in this regard. It’s been a pleasure having a conversation with you and not experience a distasteful bias against the religion.

I’m fully a Christian, but I recognize some beautiful principles in Buddhism.

Peace…

MW

 

[barryschoedel]

1. How did you come back to the Church?

I was born and raised as a Catholic (baptised, communion, confirmation)and attended Catholic grammar schools. I dropped away from Catholicism and became interested in Zen Buddhism over 10 yrs. ago, and met my husband (who as I mentioned is a Jodo Shinshu Buddhist) six yrs. ago. We have been happily married, but now I feel drawn back to Catholicism and (if you read my previous post on the Non-Catholic religions thread), this is now affecting my marriage. I am planning to return to the Catholic church b/c I do not feel comfortable with Buddhism any longer.

1. What was it about Buddhism that was/is interesting or appealing?

I love its compassion, calmness obtained through meditation, and some of the other things mentioned by others on this thread.

1. What negative or positive experiences did you have as a result of your experiences?

Some of the issues about the lack of a God, the absolute “nothingness” of everything and how nothing really matters, started to affect me psychologically and I felt no comfort from Buddhism.

I have read some of your previous remarks to others about the philosophy of Buddhism v. Catholicism, and I would be interested to know what advice (if any) you can offer me in my dilemma with my husband, whom I love very much. In a previous post I mentioned that when he was in the military he was told by a fellow soldier who was (unfortunately) Roman Catholic, that he was a “pagan” and an “idol worshipper” and would not be “saved.” My husband never told me about this experience until recently when I mentioned that I would like to return to Catholicism. It has caused a great deal of hurt on his part b/c he thinks I am going back to this “horrible” religion of which he only has bad memories. I would appreciate any help/advice you could offer, since you seem to be knowledgeable about both Buddism and Catholicism. Thanks very much.

P.S. I do agree with you that Pure Land Buddhism is similar to Christianity – I don’t know why my husband does not see this.

Hi Dulcinea, thank you for sharing your story of your experience in trying to integrate Zen Buddhism into your life and then your deepening realization of your Catholic faith. I noticed you wrote that you liked the calmness found in meditation and also the focus on developing compassion in Buddhism. I hope that as you journey back into Catholicism that you are ever able to recognize the peace of Our Lord and that his peace becomes for you a way to love God and neighbor.

I could relate to what you said about the feeling of ‘nothingness’. I had similar experiences while I was deeply into Buddhism. It was actually very confusing for me sometimes. As I got deeper into it I was more convicted by its doctrines. I found it very painful at times to see an animal or insect as if it was my mother in another life or to look at my mother and loved ones as if they were bound to the merciless law of karma, and that their bodies were reflections of their afflictive emotions. It was such a joy to me when my conversion began and I could give up the striving for enlightenment and simply rest in the love of the Lord.

I think the conflict you mentioned with your husband is very normal. I know it probably is confusing and you are not sure what to do but I would say to not expect anyone to come to Catholicism, particularly from another world religion, without some animosity and confusion about the other faith (St. Paul himself was one of the biggest opponents of the faith). Whether you husband ultimately would become Catholic himself is beyond the point right now but he is confronting the Church in you because your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and you are a member of the Body of Christ. The more committed you become in your faith, because of the nature of your relationship, it is natural that there could be times of confusion, misunderstanding, and hurt feelings.

First and foremost, if you haven’t yet, I would go to the local parish or a parish in the area that you are drawn to and if you haven’t yet, speak to a priest about where you have been and what you intend to do. Reconciliation with the Church and participating in the life of your parish will bring much love and joy into your own heart and into your marriage. I would ask the priest if he could recommend a spiritual director for you to help you negotiate some of the obstacles that you may encounter in your own ‘reversion’ from Buddhism and with your husband still practicing a Buddhist tradition. This is important so that you are truly being helped in discerning God’s will from the will of the evil one or your own willfulness.

Also, as a Catholic, we have to expect not to be popular, nor seek popularity or acceptance. There is so much rhetoric in our culture against our faith. Could it be any other way in a fallen world, whose members crucified God?

I truly think the deeper you develop your life as a Christian you will find that you have many graces that provide help, understanding, and mercy in your marriage. I am sure you husband is a good man, and you love him very much. What an opportunity for you to witness to the one you love the true faith by your very life in Christ. You bring Christ into your marriage by your very being, you don’t have to force it.

I would recommend that you read the document of the Father’s of the Second Vatican Council called Nostra Aetate. This is an excellent place for you to learn just what the Church’s teaching is in regards to other faiths.

vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decl_19651028_nostra-aetate_en.html

St. John of the Cross said, “if someone is seeking God, let it be known, her beloved is seeking her that much more.”

God bless you Dulcinea.

 

[grandfather]

It’s been a pleasure having a conversation with you and not experience a distasteful bias against the religion.

I’m fully a Christian, but I recognize some beautiful principles in Buddhism.

Peace…

MW

Just to set the record straight I am very biased toward my religion.

There is only one reason to belong to any religion, or embrace it. That reason is that you believe its precepts or doctrines are true.
Logic says there can only be one religion whose doctrines are true, or none. What makes one religion different from another is what it believes. There are always things in common, but if they all believed the same things there would only be one. The doctrines of different religions contradict one another. Every soul can not be born many times and once. If only one religion can be true the rest are false.

I have great bias in a sense, against all religions except my own. If I did not think the beliefs of Catholicism were true I would not be Catholic. That means I believe all other religions are false.

When I see people who convert from some religion to Catholicism and they have no animosity towards their former religions I think this is very healthy. They are grateful for the benefits that they received and think they moved on to something better. When people have nothing good to say about their former religion and are resentful that is a sign that the past is not past. Many ex- Mormons seem to be full of animosity.

I hold no animosity to anyone for what they believe. I just don’t agree with them. We hope for the good of all. God bless all Buddhists and their leaders. I hope they all become Catholic, but if they don’t God bless them anyway.

 

[Mystic_Warrior]

Just to set the record straight I am very biased toward my religion.

There is only one reason to belong to any religion, or embrace it. That reason is that you believe its precepts or doctrines are true.
Logic says there can only be one religion whose doctrines are true, or none. What makes one religion different from another is what it believes. There are always things in common, but if they all believed the same things there would only be one. The doctrines of different religions contradict one another. Every soul can not be born many times and once. If only one religion can be true the rest are false.

I have great bias in a sense, against all religions except my own. If I did not think the beliefs of Catholicism were true I would not be Catholic. That means I believe all other religions are false.

When I see people who convert from some religion to Catholicism and they have no animosity towards their former religions I think this is very healthy. They are grateful for the benefits that they received and think they moved on to something better. When people have nothing good to say about their former religion and are resentful that is a sign that the past is not past. Many ex- Mormons seem to be full of animosity.

I hold no animosity to anyone for what they believe. I just don’t agree with them. We hope for the good of all. God bless all Buddhists and their leaders. I hope they all become Catholic, but if they don’t God bless them anyway.

Oh yes, I hope you didn’t get the impression I thought you were somehow soft on your own faith. It’s just nice to see a civil discussion that focuses on the specific issues without turning nasty against another faith.

God bless.

MW

 

[grandfather]

Oh yes, I hope you didn’t get the impression I thought you were somehow soft on your own faith. It’s just nice to see a civil discussion that focuses on the specific issues without turning nasty against another faith.

God bless.

MW

Of course. When I examine my own attitudes about other religions, they vary from religion to religion, maybe in an odd way.

Logic says that the precepts of Buddhism could be true. The precepts of Catholicism could be true. Both or one are false.

I choose one of them, but that does not mean I should be hostile towards people who choose the other. I love them and the reason I love them comes from my religious beliefs.

If human beings were to love one another the world would be at peace. Evil among us would be overcome.

 

[Dulcinea]

Barry,

Thanks so much for your kind and thoughtful reply of 10/30/08 re: my problem with wanting to revert to my cradle Catholicism, being married to a Buddhist, and trying to reconcile having shared that faith with him since our marriage, and now being unable to do so, (at least to the extent I had before). I have taken much of your advice to heart and things have gotten somewhat better betw. myself and my husband. I am also reading the book entitled, “When Only One Converts” by Lynn Nordhagen which has been very helpful. I will continue to pray that things get even better betw. myself and my husband. Maybe we can both grow from this experience. Once more, thank you again for your kind remarks and advice. In my opinion you have a great gift for counseling, and are very wise. You also have an immense knowledge of Catholicism, and a facility for explaining it so that others can understand. You have certainly helped me!

God bless you, Barry.

 

[Dulcinea]

Mystic Warrior,

Thank you for your advice re: my situation with my husband. I appreciated your sharing your experience of the Jodo Shin-Shu sect of Buddhism, and was happy to learn that they (like other Buddhist sects)are also very tolerant. I am going slowly with this situation as you suggested, and as I mentioned to Barry, things seem to be going somewhat better. I agree with you that when a couple lives in the same household and follows different religions, it can be very difficult. I don’t think my husband is so much anti-Christian as anti-Catholic b/c of his military experience with that one person, and I do believe that Catholicism does respect other world religions. I did not know that Protestantism did not as much, and that was an interesting insight, as I don’t know that much about Protestantism. I do agree with you that tolerance and kindness are “key.” Thanks so much for your advice, Mystic Warrior, and God Bless You!

 

[Lisa44]

When I see people who convert from some religion to Catholicism and they have no animosity towards their former religions I think this is very healthy. They are grateful for the benefits that they received and think they moved on to something better. When people have nothing good to say about their former religion and are resentful that is a sign that the past is not past. Many ex- Mormons seem to be full of animosity.

Are you Catholic?

[/QUOTE]

 

[Lisa44]

For someone struggling with why Buddhism should be abandoned in favour of our Lord Jesus Christ, I would seriously urge that person to study IDOLATRY.

And regarding the Dalai Lama, many people are inclined to follow him because of the peacefullness, and the robes, the bowing…etc. It has the appearance of holiness. What broke the trance for me was learning about his views on mental illness. He believes that people with mental illness are being punished for bad things they did in a past life.

Now I ask you, is that a compassionate view? Is it true?

Please people, see past the exterior. I urge you to look past appearances and into the heart of the matters.
Look at Karma. The theory of karma. It explains how so much poverty exists in those countries. Even so called “educated” lamas will tell you that it is a person’s “karma” to suffer.

Jesus never said that. In fact, Jesus tried to alleviate the suffering of others by expelling demons. By HEALING the sick. Raising the dead. Feeding the hungry.

Please, please to not fall for false compassion. Please see past appearances. I pray for the conversion of all pagans to the one true faith in Jesus Christ.

A person cannot truely know what it is to be enslaved by false religions until a person finds the truth. Mammonism, materialism, paganism,.worship of men, etc… ALL stumbling blocks.

Do not worship a man. The buddha was a MAN. I repeat. A MAN. He could not raise the dead, cure the sick or cast out demons, nor can any other Buddhist.

He claimed to find nirvana by his own means of meditation. Make no mistake, you too can find emptyness or shunyata. But… is that what you really want?

(ask and you shall recieve)

Please, be harmless as a dove, and as WISE as a SERPENT.

The devil awaits all. What do you want? Peace, at the expense of your eternal soul? The devil can grant you great peace here in this life. You can have anything you want. Anything. You can be rich, or have great meditative states of mind. Ask. What do you want? Ask and you shall recieve. Ahhh, all the pleasures…so attractive are they not? Ahh, meditation, it dulls the pain. Like a painkiller.

I wonder why Jesus didn’t just sit down and meditate? Instead he died on a cross! With nails hammered into his very flesh! Can you IMAGINE the physical anguish! His mother, dying at his feet, seeing him thus.

Oh yes, lets just go off and meditate shall we. And just love oneanother, and lets just be peacefull. yess…

WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE

its no use, they’re fast asleep.

Kindof like when Peter said to Jesus, oh, you won’t die like that and Jesus said get behind me Satan!

GET BEHIND ME SATAN!

I repeat, get behind me Satan.

 

[Lisa44]

One more thing, then I’ll shut up.

Remember when the devil tempted Jesus. He said I can make you the most powerful person on earth.

 

[cyberwolf001]

For someone struggling with why Buddhism should be abandoned in favour of our Lord Jesus Christ, I would seriously urge that person to study IDOLATRY.[/buddhism]

For that to work one would have to accept the Christian view on Idolatry.

And regarding the Dalai Lama, many people are inclined to follow him because of the peacefullness, and the robes, the bowing…etc. It has the appearance of holiness. What broke the trance for me was learning about his views on mental illness. He believes that people with mental illness are being punished for bad things they did in a past life.

 

[Mystic_Warrior]

For someone struggling with why Buddhism should be abandoned in favour of our Lord Jesus Christ, I would seriously urge that person to study IDOLATRY.

And regarding the Dalai Lama, many people are inclined to follow him because of the peacefullness, and the robes, the bowing…etc. It has the appearance of holiness. What broke the trance for me was learning about his views on mental illness. He believes that people with mental illness are being punished for bad things they did in a past life.

Now I ask you, is that a compassionate view? Is it true?

Please people, see past the exterior. I urge you to look past appearances and into the heart of the matters.
Look at Karma. The theory of karma. It explains how so much poverty exists in those countries. Even so called “educated” lamas will tell you that it is a person’s “karma” to suffer.

Jesus never said that. In fact, Jesus tried to alleviate the suffering of others by expelling demons. By HEALING the sick. Raising the dead. Feeding the hungry.

Please, please to not fall for false compassion. Please see past appearances. I pray for the conversion of all pagans to the one true faith in Jesus Christ.

A person cannot truely know what it is to be enslaved by false religions until a person finds the truth. Mammonism, materialism, paganism,.worship of men, etc… ALL stumbling blocks.

Do not worship a man. The buddha was a MAN. I repeat. A MAN. He could not raise the dead, cure the sick or cast out demons, nor can any other Buddhist.

He claimed to find nirvana by his own means of meditation. Make no mistake, you too can find emptyness or shunyata. But… is that what you really want?

(ask and you shall recieve)

Please, be harmless as a dove, and as WISE as a SERPENT.

The devil awaits all. What do you want? Peace, at the expense of your eternal soul? The devil can grant you great peace here in this life. You can have anything you want. Anything. You can be rich, or have great meditative states of mind. Ask. What do you want? Ask and you shall recieve. Ahhh, all the pleasures…so attractive are they not? Ahh, meditation, it dulls the pain. Like a painkiller.

I wonder why Jesus didn’t just sit down and meditate? Instead he died on a cross! With nails hammered into his very flesh! Can you IMAGINE the physical anguish! His mother, dying at his feet, seeing him thus.

Oh yes, lets just go off and meditate shall we. And just love oneanother, and lets just be peacefull. yess…

WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE

its no use, they’re fast asleep.

Kindof like when Peter said to Jesus, oh, you won’t die like that and Jesus said get behind me Satan!

GET BEHIND ME SATAN!

I repeat, get behind me Satan.

:compcoff:

“Just smile and wave boys, just smile and wave” - quote from movie ‘Madagascar’.

Peace…

MW

 

[eva6206213]

Just learing from here~

 

[IceCathedral]

I have a question. After studying Buddhism in class, I’m attracted to some of its qualities. Now, my question is, as a Catholic, would it be sinful to take some of the philosophy of Buddhism? For those who are experts of both C & B, can Buddhism be taken as a philosophy and pick what is compatible with Catholicism or are they totally different and it is sinful to even think of it at all? I really like Catholicism and don’t consider converting to Buddhism, but I just really like some of its ideas so I was wondering if it would be a sin to read up and learn more about it or adapt philosophical approach towards it.