I have been working for a Buddhist charity called wind horse for almost a year and i have never felt more complete. Everything Buddhism stands for is the definition of who i believe i am, even thinking about it makes me want to cry. I have never been religious as there is just so much i find wrong with religion and i hate how religion creates so much division in the world. Im just unsure, what if i only feel this way because i love my job and the people i work with? I want this to be a life long choice, so i can't be wrong.
I would like some advice, any and all religions and beliefs, I'm not at all bias, i welcome all points of view.
Following Buddha is interesting. A strict Buddhist adherent does not touch those that are sick or deformed or even dirty for fear of contamination [this is the opposite of the way Jesus treated the least of these]. Many people like Buddhism, it helps them keep a safe distance in mental, emotional and physical ways.
Honestly, you probably do just love the people you work with and you might think it's the religion. But there's nothing wrong with Buddhism. Buddhists lead great lives depending on how disciplined they are. It's not the religious part that's great for you but the philosophy and meditation that can lead you to happiness and enlightenment in your life time.
If you are not sure...
then i think it follows that it is not Buddhism itself, but those people you work with.
You can find wisdom in all religions, even the medieval christian scholars wrote some profound and moving things.
respect whatever deserves respect, and admire it. But do not mistake culture for philosophy. And do not expect individuals to be the proper representatives of a religious philosophy.
I congratulate you on your decision to choose a spiritual path. Buddhism has much to offer. You are not required to believe in a god but you can if that is helpful for your journey. A person does not "convert" to Buddhism. You accept the path and you follow the path. I admire you and I hold you in my heart.
Buddhism is a religion, but there is a common misconception that it is not. This is due to the enigma of the Occident vs. the Orient. Objections that you (understandably) have with religion needn't apply to Eastern religions such as Jainism, Taoism, Sikhism, or Buddhism. Westerners often call religions "faiths". In Buddhism, "faith" is rejected as epistemology is revered.
I studied and agreed with Buddhism since I was a child, and have been a religious practitioner for some years now. I am a rational atheist, and Buddhism is one of the oldest atheistic/apatheticICCraditions which provide spiritual enrichment. I have also found such nourishment in the woks of Epicurus, Vonnegut, and Carl Sagan. While these other sources are invaluable, the dedication with which Buddhism has been refined makes it a most precious and useful tool.
My favorite parts about Buddhism include:
The Buddha's Silence: This pertains to mystical matters (god/s, eternity, afterlife, etc). Buddhist mythology is just mythology, and gods are just constructs of the mind. If a person has reason for believing in gods, they must have a reason... which is personal and has nothing to do with anyone else.
Morality: The Eightfold Path is brilliant and intuitive. It also yields results. I used to deal drugs because I thought it was morally okay (privacy, personal choice, etc), but curious that the Buddha was smarter than me, I took the advice of Right-Occupation. I still enjoy drugs and share them, but removing them from how I make a living has been very beneficial. Sure I don't have to deal with stupid people and fake friends, but my money feels different now, and my generosity is more rewarding. This actually surprised me. It was kind of an experiment for me, to test my morality against the Buddha's.
Right Speech: This is part of the Eightfold Path. It is so good for the mind. I feel it boosts my intelligence, and I notice more intelligent people naturally use Right-Speech, even if they don't know of it.
I also enjoy learning the esoteric terms, formal logic, and cognitive models.
"I want this to be a life long choice, so i can't be wrong."
You can definitely be wrong. As a Buddhist, I'm always looking for a reason to become an ex-Buddhist (rational self doubt, critical reasoning skills). You can accept that which agrees you and benefits you. It's not good to "cherry-pick" any religion, but all you have to do to honor the Buddha's teachings is follow the Eightfold path. Further study only helps one realize this path, and make it easier or more compelling. Study and meditation can also help one get beyond the Western mindset.
One does not "convert" to Buddhism. If you are interested in Buddhism, you learn about it (taking classes from a monk is the best way), and do the practice as you are taught. You suspend judgment for some few years, waiting to see what the effects of your practice are. If after 3-5 years, you find that it is starting to change you*, then you will probably start to think that maybe it does what it says it will do. At this point, you start to think of yourself as being a Buddhist. There is, however, no ceremony for "converting" to Buddhism.
Don't tie yourself into "life-long choice" or refuse to be "wrong" ... you cannot say if Buddhism will work for you for the rest of your life. You can only say it works for you now. And there is nothing bad about being "wrong" ... we all are sometimes. It's just part of being human and no big deal.
I am glad you love your job and the people you work with. You are in the minority and are very fortunate.
* by change, I don't mean feeling happy happy and being all smiles, or infatuated with Buddhism (new followers in any religion usually feel that way) ... I mean observable change in your reactivity. If you now upset when someone cuts you off in traffic (for instance), after some years of Buddhism you will notice a significant decline in both frequency and strength. Emotions stabilize out, humor seems to increase.
That is the practice of compassion. I applaud to what you are doing. The compassionate heart is more important than rites and rituals. Does not really matters if you call yourself a Buddhist or not. It is wonderful that you found something fulfilling and benefits others.
Im thinking of converting to buddhism?
