When Was The Last Time A Buddhist Walked Up To You And Said: "Have You Welcomed Buddha Into Your Life?"

Question

...Ok - I know I said I wouldn't touch R&S with a 12 foot pole this evening, but I feel like stirring the cauldron tonight ...


Bring it on !

Notice how Buddhism never self-imposes itself on anyone ...

Why can't other religions exist without the need to "rescue souls" "wage jijad" or "earn sacred brownie points for adopting another member" ?

Monte -- this is a purely hypothetical question.
Did I ever say I was a Buddhist? No - no I didn't

Exactly Zina Rae - my point exactly :)

Yeah, it is sad. Actually a lot of Tibetan monks are incarcerated for their beliefs and for maintaining their Tibetan identity -- which is an entirely different can of worms.

Eternal damnation is a dogmatic concept created by man. The GOD -- omniscient creator of the world be it the big bang, a miniscule photon, or a radiantly positive ball of energy without gender ... the very nature of it is good. Man is bad, and man creates twisted doctrines like this to frighten people and make them submissive to their religions.

Answer 1

Never. The Christians and Muslims do though. Of course, the Buddhists have strayed away from peace from time to time.(Yea, as Rizz The O said... in China things get ... confusing from time to time...)

Ah, Allen T... God would be proud of you.
Monte, you as well!

Answer 2

Since Buddhism does not accept, offer, or even suggest a need for personal salvation, and since Buddha has been very dead for a very long time, there would be absolutely no reason for a Buddhist to do so.

Answer 3

It actually happened to me in high school. A Tibetan Buddhist walks up to me in the halls, (lay clad as a student), and told me, nonchalantly, that I need Buddha in my life!!!

At that time, I didn't even know who Buddha was.

Years later, I remininsce about this, thinking how I don't even want to know who Buddha is.

And, you hear Richard Gere "repatronizing" and becoming Buddhist?? For what? To please the Chinese dictators??

I don't believe in Pagan rituals, and probably never will.

Answer 4

I can't recall when that has ever happened. I guess that's just one of the reasons I have much respect for Buddhists.

Answer 5

One of my brothers is a Buddhist, and a smart ***, so believe it or not, this has happened...

Otherwise, never. Gotta respect a philosophy that encourages one to find out the truth for one's self.

"..."Do not accept anything on (mere) hearsay, thinking that thus we have heard it for a long time. Do not accept anything based on mere tradition, thinking that it has thus been handed down for many generations. Do not accept anything on account of mere rumors, believing what others say, without thorough investigation. Do not accept anything just because it is in accord with your scriptures. Do not accept anything by mere supposition. Do not accept anything on the basis of merely considering the reasons. Do not accept anything because it agrees with your preconceived notions. Do not accept anything merely because it seems acceptable. Do not accept anything, thinking, the Monk, Teacher, Holyman, Buddha, etc. is respected by us. But, when you know for yourselves, these things are immoral, these things are blameworthy, these things are censored by the wise; these things, when performed and undertaken, conduce to ruin and sorrow - then indeed do you reject them. (On the other hand) When you know for yourselves, these things are moral, these things are blameless, these things are praised by the wise; these things, when performed and undertaken, conduce to well-being and happiness, then do you believe and live accordingly."

Answer 6

If Buddhism could actually save people from hell and bring people to Heaven, then how do you know that Buddhists wouldn't actually come up to people and say "have you welcomed Buddha into your life?". They don't do this because they know they can't. As for Christians, I am a Christian and I don't do that. That would sound foolish and silly to those who don't believe, and you don't convince people of their need for God by sounding silly in God's name now, do you? My personal belief is that I try to live an example as best I can of what Christ wants me to live like and I don't have to go around knocking on doors or witnessing to people in the formal sense of the word, nor do I have to come out and directly ask someone if they have accepted Jesus. For me, I try to walk the walk rather than merely talking the talk, and when the opportunity comes up to speak my mind and my beliefs, I do so without shame or reservation. Believe me, I don't need to seek people out and initiate anything in terms of preaching because people will just say things which in turn will trigger conversations to go a certain way and then that in turn provides me with the opportunity to tell how I believe. I don't ram it down someone's throat and I respect their right to believe differently, but if an opportunity presents itself, I am not going to keep quiet about my beliefs when the door opens just to avoid offending someone who might be annoyed at my beliefs when these very same people would think nothing of speaking their beliefs (or lack thereof) in a very bold manner which could be offensive or annoying to me.

We all have the equal right to state how we feel or believe about something, and when presented with an opportunity to state how I believe, I will take it, with no shame. I can do so with no shame because I know that my beliefs will not send me or anyone else to hell, so what I state to others is actually good for their eternal soul, not just their earthly life. With Buddhism, while there may be many valid viewpoints and good practices, it is concerned with our earthly lives and will not help our eternal souls. This is why Buddhists cannot in all reality, go around trying to convince others to be Buddhists. Not only is it contrary to their beliefs to push their beliefs on others, but it would do nothing to guarantee someone's eternal life.

How's that for bringing it on. Yes, I took the challenge. Now I'm going to bed.

Answer 7

Never ever ever. Nor has a pagan walked up to me and asked me if I have welcomed the goddess into my life, or if I have welcomed the horned god. Proselytizing is one big turn off for me as far as Christianity goes. It's like I've never heard of Jesus before and this random stranger knocking on my door or approaching me on the street is going to tell me something new. It really annoys me.

Answer 8

NEVER and I never will!

Come to think about it Pagans don't need to seek members either. But yet our numbers keep growing! Hummmm very thought provoking!

Well maybe Pagans and Buddhist don't go out knocking on door because we don't have, PR people or any catchy phrases.

What would we say "Hi have you respected all living things today?" or "How's your Karma doing these days?"

Answer 9

I had a muslim damn me to hell for not believing . . . no, wait , they dont force their beliefs down people's throats, yeay them and buddhists! Actually america is the only country w/ a population stupid enough to be as singular and close minded w/ religion. You don't see the pettiness and arrogance of american religion anywhere . . . way to go US! Your the dumbest, meanest religious herd ever! Gold star! Or wait, you prefer getting rewarded w/ heaven for not killing people, lying, cheating, being lazy, being arrogant, isnt that how we are supposed to behave anyway though? Hmm.


have fun w/ your Q i'm sure you'll get a ton of stupid answers :)

Answer 10

It is the Buddhist belief that you will find Buddhism when you are ready for it

Answer 11

Buddhism is not a big communal religion. It tends to live on Karmic consequences and even though there is a Buddhist hell, it is based on actions one partakes of during this life. I am a Christian and we do believe much differently and we are called to share the good news. Not all feel its good news as obvious on here, yet to us it is. Its also important to note, that we are to do everything in love. So sharing our joy in Jesus in no way should be violent, judgemental, prideful or arrogant.