Curious - any Buddhist-turned-Christian converts here?
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As above. Please explain why you converted.
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Very sensitive leh. Cannot hurt the non Christians' feelings.Originally posted by surfbabe:As above. Please explain why you converted. -
I am waiting.....
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I dun wan to lookOriginally posted by shade343:I am waiting.....
/me close eyes & relac one corner. -
Originally posted by Honeybunz:I dun wan to look
/me close eyes & relac one corner.
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IMHO, So far I've hardly seen any Buddhist-turned-Christian converts... Buddhist as defined as having taken refuge in Buddha, Dharma, Sangha (not those IC-Buddhist or those who pray to gods [taoist practice] and claim to be Buddhists). If they have converted... many of them are probably youngsters who have not a good understanding in Buddhism... of course there will be exceptions but I have yet to hear my ownself.... and I'm interested to hear about any ex-Buddhists who is willing to share.
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I like your point.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:... Buddhist as defined as having taken refuge in Buddha, Dharma, Sangha (not those IC-Buddhist or those who pray to gods [taoist practice] and claim to be Buddhists).
on the other hand, there seems to be quite a few cases of genuine christians who convert to buddhism. but christians can play by your rule and say "he hasn't received salvation in the true sense of the word".
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Haha... perhapsOriginally posted by Icemoon:I like your point.
on the other hand, there seems to be quite a few cases of genuine christians who convert to buddhism. but christians can play by your rule and say "he hasn't received salvation in the true sense of the word". 
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I believe Buddhism is not as outreaching as Christianity because unlike Christianity, Buddhism does not focus on evangelism. But evangelism is a big part of Christianity, because it is believed that Christianity brings salvation, so whoever's converted to become a Christian, has been saved. But Buddhism focuses more on your actions, on how to be a better person. Praising Buddha and worshipping Him often, does not necessarily bring you enlightenment nor allow you to attain Nirvana. Nor does it promise you a place in heaven. But practising what Buddha teaches, will bring you on the path to becoming a Buddha yourself. Which will take you out of the cycle of rebirth and death, into eternal peace and happiness.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:If they have converted... many of them are probably youngsters who have not a good understanding in Buddhism... of course there will be exceptions but I have yet to hear my ownself.... and I'm interested to hear about any ex-Buddhists who is willing to share.
I am most interested to hear from those of us who have explored both Buddhism and Christianity in depth, and decided to choose Christianity over Buddhism. -
I did choose Christianity over Buddhism, while half of my family have either turned to Buddhism or become more inclined to that, except me and my atheist brother. They tried converting me though.Originally posted by surfbabe:I believe Buddhism is not as outreaching as Christianity because unlike Christianity, Buddhism does not focus on evangelism. But evangelism is a big part of Christianity, because it is believed that Christianity brings salvation, so whoever's converted to become a Christian, has been saved. But Buddhism focuses more on your actions, on how to be a better person. Praising Buddha and worshipping Him often, does not necessarily bring you enlightenment nor allow you to attain Nirvana. Nor does it promise you a place in heaven. But practising what Buddha teaches, will bring you on the path to becoming a Buddha yourself. Which will take you out of the cycle of rebirth and death, into eternal peace and happiness.
I am most interested to hear from those of us who have explored both Buddhism and Christianity in depth, and decided to choose Christianity over Buddhism.
I don't have anything in depth to share (I'm sure you want to hear sharing about teachings, enlightenment etc of both religions). I don't intend to find fault with Buddhist teachings as this will be very unfair to those Buddhists who live as a good person.
The thing is I just cannot bend towards Buddhism all because of a bad dream that I had when I was three or four. The impression is still very vivid in my head. I shall not share what the dream about. After all it's just a dream that appeared to a four year old kid (me lah!). Also when I told my dream to my parents and siblings, they got extremely offended and defensive. They explained that I must have done something really wrong to have that dream. But I was only four! I guess I am just as stubborn as them lah. -
If you are willing, and does not cross-examine me for this, I may help you find the relevant websites if you want to.Originally posted by surfbabe:I believe Buddhism is not as outreaching as Christianity because unlike Christianity, Buddhism does not focus on evangelism. But evangelism is a big part of Christianity, because it is believed that Christianity brings salvation, so whoever's converted to become a Christian, has been saved. But Buddhism focuses more on your actions, on how to be a better person. Praising Buddha and worshipping Him often, does not necessarily bring you enlightenment nor allow you to attain Nirvana. Nor does it promise you a place in heaven. But practising what Buddha teaches, will bring you on the path to becoming a Buddha yourself. Which will take you out of the cycle of rebirth and death, into eternal peace and happiness.
I am most interested to hear from those of us who have explored both Buddhism and Christianity in depth, and decided to choose Christianity over Buddhism.
My pastor kept quite a lot of buddhist scriptures to study,perhaps. He go to those temples and get free copies. He even ask who want a copy during his sermon. He is the craziest pastor in my church I have even known so far. -
hahhahaOriginally posted by happyharvest:If you are willing, and does not cross-examine me for this, I may help you find the relevant websites if you want to.
My pastor kept quite a lot of buddhist scriptures to study,perhaps. He go to those temples and get free copies. He even ask who want a copy during his sermon. He is the craziest pastor in my church I have even known so far.
I thought my Presbyterian Pastor was crazy enough. He often discussed theology with Catholic Priests and even joined them for the retreats.
While some Protestants might think he's crazy, he's one of the few that gives really indepth sermons during his services. -
Honeybunz, sorry for being very luo suo, but just curious, did your parents take refuge in Three Treasures?
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Nope. They didn't convert. Just that they are more inclined to Buddhism.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Honeybunz, sorry for being very luo suo, but just curious, did your parents take refuge in Three Treasures?
Three Treasures is the Tian Dao one, right? -
Oh I see... as I have mentioned above,Originally posted by Honeybunz:Nope. They didn't convert. Just that they are more inclined to Buddhism.
Three Treasures is the Tian Dao one, right?Originally posted by An Eternal Now:
Three Treasures (san bao) is mentioned in Tian Dao, Taoism also, but they are different things.
IMHO, So far I've hardly seen any Buddhist-turned-Christian converts... Buddhist as defined as having taken refuge in Buddha, Dharma, Sangha (not those IC-Buddhist or those who pray to gods [taoist practice] and claim to be Buddhists). If they have converted... many of them are probably youngsters who have not a good understanding in Buddhism... of course there will be exceptions but I have yet to hear my ownself.... and I'm interested to hear about any ex-Buddhists who is willing to share.
Three Treasures is first taught in Buddhism, which started 2500 years ago. It means Buddha, Dharma (truth, buddhist teachings), Sangha (monastic community) -
OrhOriginally posted by An Eternal Now:Three Treasures (san bao) is mentioned in Tian Dao, Taoism also, but they are different things.
Three Treasures is first taught in Buddhism, which started 2500 years ago. It means Buddha, Dharma (truth, buddhist teachings), Sangha (monastic community) -
got anything to do with Admiral Cheng Ho? He was San Bao Tai Jian right? but he was muslim .. hahaOriginally posted by An Eternal Now:Three Treasures (san bao) is mentioned in Tian Dao, Taoism also, but they are different things. -
Cheng Ho muslim ah?Originally posted by Icemoon:got anything to do with Admiral Cheng Ho? He was San Bao Tai Jian right? but he was muslim .. haha
Didn't know. Only know he travelled a lot.
Then how come his name not xxx Bin xxx -
'cos he was from Yunnan but his religion was Islam.Originally posted by Honeybunz:Cheng Ho muslim ah?
Didn't know. Only know he travelled a lot.
Then how come his name not xxx Bin xxx -
Did he have a wife? (sorry I flunked history one)Originally posted by Icemoon:'cos he was from Yunnan but his religion was Islam.
If he had, then did the wife have to cover face? -
He was an eunuch .. so most likely never.Originally posted by Honeybunz:Did he have a wife? (sorry I flunked history one)
If he had, then did the wife have to cover face?
somemore he was castrated when still young 'cos the Ming soldiers invaded their place and took him captive. -
Oh... I think I remember liao. I think my Chinese teacher told me that Cheng Ho was castrated at an older age (10 - 12 years old) while other kids were done at much younger age.Originally posted by Icemoon:He was an eunuch .. so most likely never.
somemore he was castrated when still young 'cos the Ming soldiers invaded their place and took him captive.
Wah - You are history guru -
no lah. History, especially chinese history, is something I am interested in.Originally posted by Honeybunz:Wah - You are history guru
by the way, Sima Qian was castrated too .. lol -
Poor Sima Qian
But luckily, if without him, we wouldnt have records of the period before the Han Dynasty,,, -
I think it is all right to discuss theology with Catholic Priests. I don't think anything wrong leh. I consider all to be in one big family though some part of theology got clashes.Originally posted by Honeybunz:hahhaha
I thought my Presbyterian Pastor was crazy enough. He often discussed theology with Catholic Priests and even joined them for the retreats.
While some Protestants might think he's crazy, he's one of the few that gives really indepth sermons during his services.