How does one practice a faith without a house of worship?

Question

A few years ago, I resolved to study and practice Buddhism. I was excited about my decision and went after it with all the fervor of a fresh convert. But then something went wrong. I live in a part of the world where Buddhism is not a popular religion. In fact, there are no temples, classes, talks, teachers, or students. I even have to buy the books off the Internet.

I know that in the Emily Dickenson "Some Keep the Sabbath..." sense of things, a person shouldn't need a church. But then again, Dickenson also went insane from loneliness. I don't feel like I can grow in my practice without other people to talk with about it. Furthermore, I keep reading that an inexperienced person needs a teacher to guide them in meditation.

Could you be a Christian without a church? Or a Jew without a synagogue? How can someone grow in a faith if they have no place to worship? Do you have any ideas, or is my resolution doomed to failure?

I've been misunderstood. Please read the entire question before answering.

I'm not talking about Christianity, I just used the faith as an example. I was raised Baptist and I made the decision to stop practicing this faith years ago. The decision is made. I will deal with any consequences.

As I mentioned, I don't live in an area where there are many other Buddhists. However, one of the Three Jewels we're supposed to take refuge in is the Sangha, or the worldwide community of Buddhists. How can I take refuge in something that doesn't exist where I live?

Answer 1

Your resolution is NOT doomed to failure. Be patient, join online communities where there are fellow budhists. By applying what you learn you will find that you don't need 'others' to make your belief more 'solid'. You need not have a specific place of worship, it could be your own living room if that suits your needs. As far as guided meditation, you should be able to purchase (online) tapes/cds that are basically just a recording of a meditation - I've found them most helpful personally. Failure is an illusion created by those who fail to try. Your growth in your faith (notice the you's) is up to you, how you choose to grow and how you reflect on that growth is your sole responsibility.

Answer 2

The Jewish faith has become a home-based religion since the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD. Not everything is celebrated in the home, of course, but enough is.

Find an online discussion group to join....find a Buddhist place to go just once or twice a year if there isn't anything nearby. START a group....you never know who is out there. Place an ad in the paper. There ARE ways to connect....be creative about it!

Answer 3

I have some friends that are buddhists and they know no other buddhists in their area. You don't need a church to be a good acting buddhist, and you don't need a church for any other religion either... Indeed I suspect churches (and their blind sheep mentality) are doing more harm than good anyhow.

You can try and find a buddhist forum online or something to find fellows there you can speak with, but your belief can be a deeply personal thing and you'll be just fine - you may even work better than way. There is a serenity in solitude. Just know your beliefs, practice them, and best of luck!

Answer 4

You're right. It's hard to grow in your faith without support and teachers to help you along your journey. I'm a Christian, and if I didn't have a church, I would a least have other outlets to have Bible Studies, etc. You could start your own meetings as a way to share ideas and learn from each other. You can also try and find a good online community. Also, you could contact the closest Buddhist center/temple and ask them to help you. There is also the San Francisco Zen Center that can help connect you with it's graduates...maybe you could connect with one of them even if it's just through emails.

Answer 5

It can be lonely. The internet helps but it's not the same as having a community to worship with who share your worldview. I feel lucky that my husband and I both have the same religious views. But I still yearn for a religious community.

Still, there are things you can do that will help. You can go to Yahoo groups and do a search for different groups that you can interact with on-line. http://groups.yahoo.com/
You can also look up the nearest temple (even if it's far away) and write/e-mail asking if they know of anyone in the area who you can meet. You can search meetups to see if there are any in your area. http://buddhism.meetup.com/ There are also other meetups listed in the lower right corner that may interest you.
You could also simply try a Google search using the keywords "Buddhism" and your nearest city. The results may surprise you.

Yes, you can definitely grow in your faith without a public place to worship. We have a small room off our living room that is our altar room. It is very special to us. It is a quiet spot where we can pray and meditate. Our religion/spirituality is intertwined with our daily life to the point where every place and every moment can be a place/time to grow.
Best wishes on your journey

Answer 6

Hey, I am also a Buddhist.I appreciate your wise decision to practice Buddhism.To be a good Buddhist You only need to keep faith on Buddha and live with pancha sila.(Mentioned below)

5 Main precepts of Buddhism

1. I undertake the precept to refrain from destroying living beings.
2. I undertake the precept to refrain from stealing.
3. I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual misconduct (adultery, rape, child abuse, etc).
4. I undertake the precept to refrain from false speech (lying).
5. I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicants which lead to heedlessness.

There are lot of Buddhist web sites in the Internet.
http://www.metta.lk/ is a great example.

search for more about Buddhist books and websites.

visit those good web sites often.Meet Buddhist monks .

There are Buddhist temples mainly in Southern and Eastern Asia(Srilanka,Thailand) and some in USA, Australia,France,UK and Germany.

(If you want to worship Lord Buddha from your house Buy a good Buddha statue and place it in an appropriate place (respectable place/a separate room) in your home as lot of Buddhist people do.But If you want to do deep meditation it is important to have an experienced teacher.)

Answer 7

If you are trying to practice Buddhism without a teacher you are in a very difficult position. A building in not your problem. You can worship anywhere. But you do need a teacher. And it is true that if you are going to do any serious meditation you need a Spiritual Director. It can be dangerous to do serious deep meditation without a director. I suggest that you try to find someone as close to you as possible even if you have to drive a distance to talk to them. Then after you have met with them a few times you could do the rest by e-mail. Good Luck.

Answer 8

I am a jew and at least for us there are alot of people who are practicing jews who dont or didnt live near a synogauge. about 50 years ago one of the leaders of judiasm started to send people to different parts of the world away from other practicing jews like hawai, japan, austrlia, russia, california and a lot of other places their mission was to establish a place of reachout to jews who were not religious and to teach them. Now there are over 1500 places where there are jewish centers all over the world.
In you're case u are absolutely right it is hard but somepeople can handle it if you feel u caqnt i would suggest that u either move to somewhere where there is a house of worship or consult with a fellow buhddist leader or mentor and ask his advice.

Answer 9

While a church, or fellowship with believers in Jesus Christ is very important, there will someday not be any of those- especially during the end times, for christians will be persecuted and left to hide and worship the Lord on their own. BUT I will say that if you are saved, and desire to know the Lord more, you should get into a bible study and fellowship, for God does call of his children to worship and pray in church- for the New Testament has many scriptures on God's church...."the church" are those who are saved. But it also says we do need to meet and worship the Lord and have fellowship, it is important. It helps us grow spiritually and gives us spiritual food. We also need accountability from other believers. You say you are buddhist? What made you want to be buddhist? If you do not mind me asking... you can e mail me.

Answer 10

If you continue in Buddhism you will ultimatly lose.... you will be eternaly seperated from God.

For those of The True Christian Faith there is no requirement to meet in a specific building. All of The True Faith are part of The Body of The Church of which Jesus The Christ is The Head. Wherever two or more are gathered in His Name that is where The Church is. Where ever one of The True Faith is, is where God is. God is always with us in The Form of The Holy Spirit.

Those of The True Christian Faith are instructed by The Word to not forsake gathering togeather in fellowship. But it need not be in a "special" building.