I am a 15 year old catholic that is going to convert to buddhism.?

Question

Buddhism is a religion that is peaceful and dedicated to finding the truth and being at peace with our inner selves and others. it isnt a religion of hatred and prejudice.
What is your opinion on me converting?
I disagree with almost everything the catholic church says.

Answer 1

Try Atheism-tastes great less filling

Answer 2

There is no need to convert to Buddhism. It's a philosophy ~ way of life ~ rather than religion. You can remain in your Catholic religion while studying Buddhism. It's a big step to toss out the religion in which you have been raised.

I don't want to leave you with the impression that you need to denounce catholicism, god or any religious aspect in order to study and practice Buddhism. Not so. Consider it two different decisions. 1. Study and practice Buddhism ~ or not. 2. Remain catholic ~ or not.

Answer 3

If you really do disagree with "everything" that the Catholic Church believes and practices, then it is you, not the Catholic Church, who embodies hatred and prejudiuce here.

You are only 15, and have a lot to learn about worldly things, as well as Godly things. Stay right where you are, until you've had time to learn more about both the world and spirituality.

If, after considerable time, you still feel compelled to convert, then convert. But that time has not yet come.

Answer 4

If you're going the budhist route consider another step up the ladder from there: Krsna consciousness. Buddha is an incarnation of Krsna (Vishnu). The teachings of buddhism are simpler and more basic and does not teach about the personality of God. But if you wish to know more about everything, especially if you have lots of Q's on God Himself, you will enjoy this movement and appreciate it's science based on the vedas, which is the knowledge of all knowledge.
People there (vaishnavs) practice non violence to any living being that means animals are to be protected aswell. You will learn what it really means to be a human being i.e. how it is already in our nature to love and care for those around us like buddha, and also how to be spiritually happy and blissful, .

Answer 5

I have gone through pretty much the same path you have. Truth is where you find it, not necessarily how you were raised.

I have been practicing Zen Buddhism for about two years, and have flirted with it four years before that. Note that I say practiced, as opposed to followed or believed. This is one of the first things you will find about Oriental religions in general: They are a practice, not a belief.

Also, if I may give you a piece of advice, from somebody who has walked the path before you, there is no need to convert in great pomp and announce your new religionto your family, etc... You can tell them what you believe in, but Buddhism doesn't require any kind of declaration of faith from you. That is a very JudeoChristian way of looking at the world. Remember that all is illusion. So accepting the teachings of Buddhism is not quite the same as accepting Jesus Christ as one's savior, or Mohammed as God's prophet, etc... Claiming to be a Buddhist can become an illusion in itself, beause then you become attached to that identity and it becomes another illusion.

With other Buddhist, I will sometimes say "I am a Buddhist", so that we understand each other in conversation. When talking to Christians or other people who are not familiar with Eastern philosophies, I avoid saying that, because it tends to be interpreted as "I worship Gautama", which I do not. That worship would itself become a source of illusion and attachment.

My second piece of advice is to look for the good in what people do and try to disregard the evil. For a lot of people, Christianity works and it helps them make sense of their lives and become better people. You should respect and honor that. Buddhists don't typically try to convert people, as we view representations as being of equal value. If a belief in Christ, Mohammed or something else is helping a person in anyway, we are not to interfere.

Finally, try to find and read some of the texts. There are many churches in Buddhism as well. Zen Buddhism tends to be minimalist and focuses on meditation. Mahayana Buddhism has a more elaborate cult and focuses the mind through worship. Tibetan Buddhism has a more extended pantheon and also relies on much ritual. Don't be afraid to explore different things. There are no restrictions on it in Buddhism and each is encouraged to find his own path to enlightenment.

Take care and best of luck to you.

Answer 6

Convert isn't really the right word...

First you should formally and informally study Buddhist philosophy and practice a bit more.

Second, you should visit a Buddhist temple/sanhga for a sect in your area that appeals to you. Buddhists and Buddhism in practice are likely to be much different than you think they are.

Third, Buddhism is a religion and it has just as many problems as Catholicism. Where ever you find people you will find the problems of humanity. There are no simple answers. (For example, look at the brutal civil war in Sri Lanka -- Buddhist can be just as vicious as the Christians & Muslims)

Finally, Buddhists take vows as a formal part of joining the Buddhist tradition. You can practice Buddhism and attend formal and informal services without ever formally joining...

Answer 7

You can be a Buddhist and a Catholic both. A nun who is friend of mine regularly attends zazen. Given that Buddhism is fundamentally an atheist religion, one doesn't need to be concerned about commandment #3.

However you obviously aren't cut out for Catholicism. I just don't see how you ''convert'' to Buddhism. It's not as ifBuddhism has a test or ritual you have do in order to be a Buddhist. According to the tenets of Buddhism we're all Buddhists, we just might not know it yet.

Answer 8

Many seek conversion as a mark of protest or to register their dissent with their present religion. While I do not deny your right to convert yourself to any other religion, I would like to caution you against any over-estimation about the religion to which you seek conversion. I have great respect for Lord Buddha and am fascinated by his ideals. But still, for upholding and following his ideals, I do not have to change my religion. I can as well imbibe them even while remaining in my own religion. Religion is meaningless if it does not give you the freedom of conscience. The problem with the institutionalized religion is that they try to indoctrinate you and deny you the freedom of your conscience. Both Catholic and Buddhist religions are institutionalized ones. If you are dissatisfied with the mandates and the dictates of the church, you need only to be within yourself and follow your own conscience. After conversion too, if you are going to be dissatisfied with the new religion, what are you going to do? It is like a divorced spouse jumping from partner to partner and ultimately running out of them. Hence, I would like you to reconsider your decision to convert. In my view, religion is not sacrosanct but God is . No religion has the monopoly over God.

Answer 9

Each and every religion has its means of aquiring calmness, peace of mind, contentment and happiness. As one begins to practice Buddhism, and even study it for interests sake, realization arising that tolerance {patience: the ability to remain interally calm, undisturbed and internally at peace in the face of harm and difficulties in life) toward all people and all religions take precedence in our thoughts. This realization and practice is the first step toward real peace of mind and happiness. It comes in practice of the Eightfold Path of Buddhism. A couple of books that may assist you in your journey along your path to Happiness are listed below:
"Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness" By Henepola Gunaratana
and "Everything Arises, Everything Falls Away" Written By:
Ajahn Chah. They are both Buddhist Monks, Teachers and Authors who teach others the Buddhist Path of Truth, Peace of Mind and Happiness.

Metta to all.

Answer 10

My friend even if you had nor put your age my advice to you would be that you are too immature to do what you propose.
Having seen you age I would advice you to wait a little longer, study both religion and other religious literature, learn the two schools of philosophy.
You do not have to convert outwardly and cause confusion for you family.
Buddhism like Hinduism does not expect you to formally declare.
You can follow that philosophy without converting.

Answer 11

If Buddhism is about finding the truth, the Catholic Church already has it, since it was given it by God himself. For Jesus said he is the truth (John 14:6); said he’d build His Church on Peter (Mt 16:18); Through Paul said the Church is the pillar and foundation of truth (1 Tim 3:15).
True peace is only found with God, if you disagree with the Catholic Church I suggest it is because you either don’t understand it, or don’t know it well; you need to learn and understand more, for truth is unchanging.

Splendour of Truth

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2005/04/05/do0501.xml
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_06081993_veritatis-splendor_en.html
http://www.catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?recnum=3459