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Ex-catholic being a Buddhist
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24-12-2008 11:02amSomeone sent me a private message asking me for advice. I'm not a private counsellor, and there's nothing weird in the message. So I'm moving it here. I have kept the sender's identity private; it's for him or her to decide to engage with the community.Ok... I was born into a catholic family, christened, recieved my first holy communion, confirmed and ideally I would like to be unioned to my girlfriend sometime in the future.
In the past few years I have turned from the church because of so many differant reasons. I am not sure if I am able to say out of respect for other religions.
I was always interested in Buddhism, to some extent. Now I do not fully understand Buddhism nor was I really educated about the way of life. Where do I start? What do I need to know about Buddhism? What is important and what is not?
If people ask me what religion I am I say catholic. Just to keep the peace. I am in fact an athiest. I do not believe in any gods.
I would like to understand Buddhism more. What I know of it, very little, seems to be very good way of life. I like some of the ideals. What I would like to know also is, do you need to follow everything and believe in everything in order to become a Buddhist? Do you need to go through some ritual? Or how do you go about this?
I know most of my friends and family will laugh if I said I was Buddhist but I do not mind that so much.
Unfortunately, I do go fishing and hunting every so often, I am not sure where this would work in. Are there hobbies and interests that I would not be able to continue in order to to become a Buddhist?
Am I on the right path?
Thanks for any information you may have. I know you might have links and books that I might be able to read, but if it was put in a simplier form first then I could take it from there.0
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I would suggest maybe buyin a few books and having a read thro, seeing how it sits with you.
Buddhism is all about finding out who u really are, which means you are always on the right path - even if that path means you decide buddhism isnt the religion, or school of thought, you need to find the answer to that question0 -
Thanks Yoda.
And happy festivities to everyone.
OP, there is nothing in your post that I can see that would prevent you becoming a Buddhist. I will try to answer your questions with very short replies. Then I will leave it to you to ask further questions if you wish. I will do it this way for the simple reason that Buddhism is a path that one must be drawn to by some internal desire to discover for yourself and not because someone converted you. I believe that you have reached a turning point in your life where you need to find answers so please feel free to ask any questions.Ok... I was born into a catholic family, christened, recieved my first holy communion, confirmed and ideally I would like to be unioned to my girlfriend sometime in the future.In the past few years I have turned from the church because of so many differant reasons. I am not sure if I am able to say out of respect for other religions.I was always interested in Buddhism, to some extent. Now I do not fully understand Buddhism nor was I really educated about the way of life. Where do I start? What do I need to know about Buddhism? What is important and what is not?If people ask me what religion I am I say catholic. Just to keep the peace. I am in fact an athiest. I do not believe in any gods.I would like to understand Buddhism more. What I know of it, very little, seems to be very good way of life. I like some of the ideals. What I would like to know also is, do you need to follow everything and believe in everything in order to become a Buddhist? Do you need to go through some ritual? Or how do you go about this?I know most of my friends and family will laugh if I said I was Buddhist but I do not mind that so much.Unfortunately, I do go fishing and hunting every so often, I am not sure where this would work in. Are there hobbies and interests that I would not be able to continue in order to to become a Buddhist?Am I on the right path?Thanks for any information you may have. I know you might have links and books that I might be able to read, but if it was put in a simplier form first then I could take it from there.
You are searching for something, you need to ask the questions that are in your head. Based on the answers you receive, you can make your own decision on how best to proceed. Help will find its own way to you. It would also be good to take a quick read of the Wikipedia entry;), we all have to study somewhat.0 -
When the Dalia Lama was asked: "What is your religion?", he answered:"My religion is kindness." A Catholic or an atheist could give the same answer.
That is why in the end all religions lead home.0
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