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Dalai Lama urges Christians not to convert to Buddhism
May 13, 2007, 9:08 pm
Filed under: Books, Morality, News, Religion, Spirituality, meaning...

Strange? Dalai Lama urges Christians not to convert to Buddhism - Not strange to me. And somewhat in contrast to something I looked at in a previous post of mine about the Dalai Lama.

I like the Dalia Lama’s view; however his point about the same teachings and values is argued against by many including the many interviewees in Lee Strobel’s “A Case For Faith,” which is a text that I’d like to write about in a future post. It’s a quite a biased text, but then how can a text called “A Case For Faith” not be biased? Nonetheless, the Dalai Lama’s view is similar to my own, but it can be argued with when looked at with regards to specific scripture instead of the bigger picture of religion in general, or particular religion – which is evident in Lee Strobel’s book.

I found this link from a forum which had the heading “Is it right for a parent to impose their religious beliefs on their child?” which I in-turn found because people were getting to my blog (which someone had linked to) from that forum. One person was arguing that parents inevitably impose their beliefs onto their children since most kids end up following the same religion as their parents. Another person - who linked to a post of mine - argued that regardless of that, there comes a time when a child becomes older and decides to think for themselves and hence create their own beliefs. I don’t know – as much as I know many people who have their own views as they get older (and some who opposed their parents’ views as a child) there are as many (if not more) that I know who simply follow what their parents believed was right – because, it is “right.” I don’t think that it’s necessarily a bad thing until the fact that someone is “right” makes another “wrong.” Nonetheless, parents will impose their beliefs since they will usually think that their view is the best (i.e. it works for them so why not for their child?), whether its narrow-minded (religious or not) or open-minded (religious or not) – so it’s just a matter of having faith in the human nature to raise questions about the meaning of life (instead of the human nature of residing in the bliss of ignorant certainty). One can only hope and try and questions.

Another interesting wikipedia page that talks about “notable converts to Christianity,” that I found on the forum.


6 Comments so far
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I agree that it is often true that parents impose beliefs on their children. Whether or not they mean it is another matter.

I mean everything that a parent insists, their children are brought up believing that this is the “Right” thing to think, until they are old enough to reconsider things.

I was baptised catholic, and went through all of the sacraments that are associated with this religion. Is it wrong for me to disagree with everything my parents have taught me and say I don’t agree.

I don’t know. But what I do know, is when I say something that doesn’t quite agree, some people I know, who are much more religious than me, cannot understand where I am coming from.

Its a difficult situation…

Comment by Sarah

Ahh the Dalai Lama, now here’s a GURU that I can understand. Sometimes, I have the urge to convert people from idiotism to tolerancism. But I suppose that is also unfair on those who were brought up differently to myself. Being brought up in an Hindu household in an ‘adopted’ country, it’s a little different because there were many reasons why my parents advocated tolerance. We were different ourselves, and I think that helps understanding people better. Whether this was due to being an immigrant family, or being a Hindu, or whatever, but now it does not bother me. Why? Well, I think I am at a comfortable place right now. I believe in Love, Freedom, Grace and Karma, the ability to being different is much more appealing than being like everyone else.

I have a question though? Why do you or anyone else think that people out there believe it is their duty to convert in the first place? Cynically, I believe someone needs another person to reaffirm their own beliefs. Optimistically, I believe that we all wanna be loved for being who we are. I do not condone conversions instigated by others, but I know that when I am listening to someone speak, who I want to know about, I try to absorb their ideas and their moral standards. I wanna figure out what all this stuff means to them and eventually to me. I think if people out there have the courage to believe in their own convictions, they would not have the urge to go out try to convert another person’s belief. Whether that is hypocritical or not, well, I have to look at my response some other day.

Comment by sydspace

I think a lot of times trying to convert others to ones religion CAN be done out of fear, a way of not only reaffirming your own faith to yourself, but proving that faiths worth in an external context. However, i disagree that all people trying to convert others are doing so out of such selfish motivation…I mean, for many poeple this desire to see others convert is a true heartfelt desire for them to experience the love that only God can give. You might disagree with theirs views of God, find them restricting etc, but to say that all act out of fear and even a lack of faith is a bit unfair.

Comment by James

Yes, I’d have to agree with James. As much as self-affirmation and fear can lead to the urge to convert everyone to a religion, I think it’s often out of love. Let me put it this way: if I had a faith that meant that people outside of that faith would die and go to Hell, and that they are missing out on unconditional love because of their lack of or wrong faith, I would surely convert the people I love. I wouldn’t want people who I hold dear to go to Hell. I’m just glad that I do not have such beliefs. I sometimes feel sad that people are forced to change others because their beliefs suggest that otherwise it means Hell for these “others.”

Comment by Arnie

What about faiths that aren’t so exclusive – if you believed you could teach someone to live a better life by showing them how to reach enlightenment – isn’t that something you would share?

If you believe that you have a way to God, or even happiness isn’t that something you would share? Thinking about it now – it seems strange that people so often jump to the conclusion that those who share their faith are doing so out of insecurity.

Comment by James

I thought I agreed with you:

“Let me put it this way: if I had a faith that meant that people outside of that faith would die and go to Hell, and that they are missing out on unconditional love because of their lack of or wrong faith, I would surely convert the people I love. I wouldn’t want people who I hold dear to go to Hell.”

I just don’t think such a view in the first place is required, or good.

Comment by Arnie




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