Help- husband hurt by my lack of "excitement" about his discovery of buddhism

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My husband has become a buddhist, and he does not understand why I am not “excited” for him. He says that people that love each other are excited and interested about important things in each other’s lives, and that he is excited and interested in things that are important to me. He is very hurt about this. I’m trying to accept this situation, but I am definitely not excited about it. My lack of “excitement and interest” has caused him to resent me and to doubt my love for him. I cannot fake these emotions. I am having a hard time explaining and/or justifying my feelings. Has anyone run into this dilemma?
 
There is a book called “The unexpected journey.” written by a professor of Tibetan and buddhist studies at Bristol university here in the U.K. He recently came into the Church after being a buddhist for 30 years, this might help you. Secondly, have you told your hubby why you are not excited about his new hobby? Have you asked yourself why? If it’s because this religion/philosophy is unChristian and Christ is the centre of your life; then surely your husband will understand your reticence?
 
didn’t we just have a thread about 3 miles long on this same topic, is this another woman with another buddhist husband? maybe we need to go back to the poll on which religion is snagging the most ex-Catholics.
 
I think the suggestion to talk it out with him is best. I am interested as to why you are not interested though (if that makes any sense!?). Budhism is a fascinating and interesting faith and I would recommend you learn as much as you can, not only will this help you respect Budhism, but your husband too!
 
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puzzleannie:
didn’t we just have a thread about 3 miles long on this same topic, is this another woman with another buddhist husband?
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Same woman, same husband, new thread.
 
Yes- I am the woman who began the other thread. I am trying to resolve this particular issue with my husband. I suppose I’m not excited because I don’t want him to be buddhist- I want him to become Catholic. I am uncomfortable with his journey because it is not Christ centered. Yes, many buddhist teachings are Christ like, and I can appreciate that. But when you have children at home it is difficult to have them hear reverences to buddha, not Jesus Christ. So I accept, but I cannot be excited and fascinated.

My husband thinks like you, FightingFat. I am trying to come round to what you’re saying-- but I cannot seem to get there. I am just too Catholic to not attribute all things to almighty God.
 
I’m Catholic too, but I try to have respect for different faiths and beliefs. If you study them, you can often see incredible parallels with our faith.

Don’t be scared. Have faith.🙂
 
Jim ov Cov:
There is a book called “The unexpected journey.” written by a professor of Tibetan and buddhist studies at Bristol university here in the U.K. He recently came into the Church after being a buddhist for 30 years, this might help you.
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Author please!!! I’d really like to read this.

Scott
 
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FightingFat:
I’m Catholic too, but I try to have respect for different faiths and beliefs. If you study them, you can often see incredible parallels with our faith.

I do respect my huband- very much. I believe he is very sincere in his beliefs. I’m not sure why I can’t react as he wishes me to- maybe I’m just mad because I can’t get my way??:confused: Sometimes I’m not sure why I can’t be more excited other than what I have already told you all.
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FightingFat:
I’m Catholic too, but I try to have respect for different faiths and beliefs. If you study them, you can often see incredible parallels with our faith.

Don’t be scared. Have faith.🙂
Click to expand...
Have faith in what, buddhism? I think that there are grave dangers with the above approach. It leads to religious indifference. How can a Catholic ‘respect’ evil, error and half-truths? No, we have to oppose different ‘faiths’ and love the individuals that are attached to them.
 
See that’s what frightens me. Buddhism is evil is it?

:nope:

It’s just culturally different.Buddhism was started in India by a man called Siddhartha Gautama. Siddhartha was born in about 566 BC and was the son of a tribal chief of a clan in southern Nepal. Buddhists don’t have a deity in the sense that we would understand it. We need to realise we are all people and therefore have a common start point. You can’t attract people to the truth of the Catholic faith by being a bigot!

Buddhism is based on four noble truths-

  1. *]Suffering exists
    *]Suffering arises from attachment to desires
    *]Suffering ceases when attachment to desire ceases
    *]Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Eightfold Path

    Other core beliefs are-

    Noble Eightfold Path:

    Three Qualities-
    Wisdom (Panna), Morality (Sila), Meditation (Samadhi)- you could call this prayer.

    Eightfold Path
    Right View, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Contemplation.

    Three Characteristics of Existence:

    1. *]Transiency (anicca)
      *]Sorrow (dukkha)
      *]Selflessness (anatta)

      Hindrances:

      1. *]Sensuous lust
        *]Aversion and ill will
        *]Sloth and torpor
        *]Restlessness and worry
        *]Sceptical doubt

        Factors of Enlightenment:

        1. *]Mindfulness
          *]Investigation
          *]Energy
          *]Rapture
          *]Tranquillity
          *]Concentration
          *]Equanimity

          Nothing evil there I can see.
          My children have just had a ‘multicultural’ week at their Catholic primary school and one of the people who visited was a Buddhist. I was proud that when my sons asked me questions about the things he said, I was able to give full and complete answers. Amazing how knowledge dispels ignorance.

          When I said have faith, what I meant was that as Catholics, we have nothing to fear from learning about other faiths- quite the opposite! The more you know, the better you feel in my experience! I have lots of Muslim friends. I really enjoy sharing about our faiths, they have many misconceptions about Christianity and I am proud to be a bridge to provide the knowledge to fill in the gaps. They are always drawn to the similarities and as a result of our dialogue, have gained respect and understanding of Christianity. In the same way, I recently visited the synagogue as part of our Confirmation group’s course. The Rabbi was very impressed with how much we all knew about Judaeism, even as far as what the ten lines of writing were over the ark.
          Ecclesiastes says- "He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
          All men search for God. It is our job (in my opinion) to aid them in this search from a position of love. Not condemn them or tell them they are wrong.

          BTW. I’ve got an uncle in Coventry Jim, what church do you attend?
 
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FightingFat:
See that’s what frightens me. Buddhism is evil is it?

:nope:

It’s just culturally different.Buddhism was started in India by a man called Siddhartha Gautama. Siddhartha was born in about 566 BC and was the son of a tribal chief of a clan in southern Nepal. Buddhists don’t have a deity in the sense that we would understand it. We need to realise we are all people and therefore have a common start point. You can’t attract people to the truth of the Catholic faith by being a bigot!

Buddhism is based on four noble truths-

  1. *]Suffering exists
    *]Suffering arises from attachment to desires
    *]Suffering ceases when attachment to desire ceases
    *]Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Eightfold Path

    Other core beliefs are-

    Noble Eightfold Path:

    Three Qualities-
    Wisdom (Panna), Morality (Sila), Meditation (Samadhi)- you could call this prayer.

    Eightfold Path
    Right View, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Contemplation.

    Three Characteristics of Existence:

    1. *]Transiency (anicca)
      *]Sorrow (dukkha)
      *]Selflessness (anatta)

      Hindrances:

      1. *]Sensuous lust
        *]Aversion and ill will
        *]Sloth and torpor
        *]Restlessness and worry
        *]Sceptical doubt

        Factors of Enlightenment:

        1. *]Mindfulness
          *]Investigation
          *]Energy
          *]Rapture
          *]Tranquillity
          *]Concentration
          *]Equanimity

          Nothing evil there I can see.
          My children have just had a ‘multicultural’ week at their Catholic primary school and one of the people who visited was a Buddhist. I was proud that when my sons asked me questions about the things he said, I was able to give full and complete answers. Amazing how knowledge dispels ignorance.

          When I said have faith, what I meant was that as Catholics, we have nothing to fear from learning about other faiths- quite the opposite! The more you know, the better you feel in my experience! I have lots of Muslim friends. I really enjoy sharing about our faiths, they have many misconceptions about Christianity and I am proud to be a bridge to provide the knowledge to fill in the gaps. They are always drawn to the similarities and as a result of our dialogue, have gained respect and understanding of Christianity. In the same way, I recently visited the synagogue as part of our Confirmation group’s course. The Rabbi was very impressed with how much we all knew about Judaeism, even as far as what the ten lines of writing were over the ark.
          Ecclesiastes says- "He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
          All men search for God. It is our job (in my opinion) to aid them in this search from a position of love. Not condemn them or tell them they are wrong.

          BTW. I’ve got an uncle in Coventry Jim, what church do you attend?
Click to expand...

        1. St. Osburg’s / All Souls’. Being charitable to non-Catholics is one thing, respecting their errors is another. Is Buddhism evil? Yes and yes. Why? Because, for starters, it denies the existence of God and therefore it denies Our Lord’s saving death. Does that make all buddhists evil? No, although false ideas have dangerous consequences. There is a long history of buddhist monks running brothels, because this material world is an evil illusion so no harm done! Also I read recently that Christians suffer persecution and discrimination in most of the eight countries of Asia that are predominantly buddhist. Love and peace man.
 
Just a recommendation: Check out www.rzim.org and the ministry of Christian (yes not precisely Catholic, very insightfull still) apologist Ravi Zacharias a convert, who, growing up in india, was exposed to all manner of diety including non-dieties of buddists. He wrote a book called Jesus Among Other Gods and he has a weekly radio program defending Christianity. He makes some of the most coherent, sound and logical arguements I have ever heard. HIGHLY recommended. One arguement that I can recall is his question to the buddist, something along the lines of, `…if all roads lead to God, why are you upset at my conversion?’
 
**Post a picture of him in the Buddha position in a loin cloth contemplating his navel . That should cause some excitement or nausea. **
 
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