Do Buddhists ever tell anyone who isn't Buddhist if they don't become Buddhist they won't go to Nirvana

Answer 1

I generally avoid speaking for an entire group of people, but in response to this answer - I do not believe so. And I believe that a greater focus of Buddhism is not for every individual to reach nirvana (which, as stated above, is not a place but a state of mind), but for suffering to end in the world.

The Buddha himself predicted that his teachings would disappear after 500 years (giving rise to what has been described as Buddhist eschatology). The fact that the Dharma still exists and is taught provides an opportunity for anyone who chooses to seek enlightenment.

Answer 2

No, that would go against the basics of Buddhism as it doesn't matter if you are a member of another religion or no religion. Buddhists can be members of other religions simultaneously, such as Shinto, Taoism, Hindu, Jainism, Paganism etc. making it the most tollerant of all religions.
It's only monotheism that takes an intolerant attitude to other religions.
Polytheism has a long history of exchanging deities with other polytheistic faiths, eg. Roman Pantheon.
It is important to realise that Nirvana isn't a place you go to.
It is in effect a state of non-existance (No rebirth).

Answer 3

I know you're being clever, but I have this strong aversion to seeing wrong views about the Dharma. Nirvana is not a place one can be sent, it is a mental state. Someone might see your question and mistakenly believe it is a place, and the Dharma is presented with enough errors in the west that we don't need them added to, even for a joke. And it isn't a state of non-existence or loss of sense of self. Ugh, Nirvana is a state of mind characterized by elimination of the kleshas, having pure skandas instead of impure ones, and elimination of causes for future suffering, including future rebirth. It is not some sort of cosmic suicide. The confusion here arises because I don't think westerners have been taught the difference between the self of deceptive reality and the self of ultimate reality. But I'm done typing now...

Answer 4

Buddhism is too internal. They realize that you cannot convert someone to Buddhism. One must discover it on their own - what with that whole enlightenment thing.

Though the statement would be fairly accurate. Getting to Nirvana does require following the path of enlightenment which is what Buddhism is. You could follow the path and not consider yourself a Buddhist, though, which is not true of, say, Christianity. However, by following the path you are kind of a Buddhist by default...

Answer 5

No, because one does not have to be a Buddhist to enter nirvana.
That's the difference between Buddhism and religions (Buddhism is not a religion it is a "philosophy of life") religions are elitist. Don't believe me? Ask a southern baptist if catholics are going to heaven or hell?
Trust me, religion is one of the most elitist and exclusivist groups ever concieved of by man.

Answer 6

The history between Buddhists and Hindoos is a long, bloody one. They have killed each other for thousands of years.

Love, Jack

Answer 7

No, because you really don't need to be Buddhist to reach Nirvana. You could inadvertantly follow the seven(?) tenets and reach it independantly.

Answer 8

No, they don't. But you know what? I wouldn't really care to become nothing. OTOH, why does it bother non christians to hear they're either not going to a Christian Heaven that they don't believe in, or that they ARE going to a fairytale place called hell? Big deal! If I really didn't believe it, I'd just smile and nod at them.

Answer 9

Doubt it. I think it would be against their nature to be so condesending. What are the "7 tenets"?

Answer 10

I take that back. They might if you ask them.
But they certainly won't hold up a big sign that says,
YOURE GOING TO HELL
JESUS HATES YOU