Buddhism and Shopping
What do these two things have in common? Nothing besides they outline my day. We started the morning late since Katie and I didn't sleep too well. We got breakfast and were on time for our first group tour here in GZ. We went to the Six Banyan pagoda and temple where some families had a Buddhist blessing done (NO, I did NOT have my child "blessed".) By the way, I could feel the spiritual darkness... not the worst I've felt, but it was there.
After the temple, we visited the Guangdong folk arts museum. We also did a little shopping at a big store. On the way there we were pulled over by the traffic police (who aren't real police) and had to sit 15 minutes while they checked our driver! We got back to the hotel in time for a late lunch and nap. After nap, Katie and I checked out the hotel and grounds, and then it was time for visa photos, supper, and MORE shopping! I spent money today! :)
How disrespectful of another
How disrespectful of another religion/ culture. How unfortunate that you are bringing a child home to such ignorance and intolerance.
Well hello person from Hilbert College!
So brave of you to stop by to anonymously show your intolerance for MY religious beliefs and to declare that you know what I think and feel about a subject (my daughter's birth culture) based on one paragraph of this blog! When I say I felt "spiritual darkness" (or spiritual oppression would also be accurate) I speak only about what *I* felt. I felt what I felt, and to say that I have no right to describe what I felt because it is "intolerant" is *actual* intolerance! To take that so far as to say that it means I am disrespecting my daughter's birth culture... well, that's absurd!
As someone who grew up
As someone who grew up absolutely in awe of this troubled and beautiful land called China, and having felt called to adopt from there since age 17, I too was taken back by your statement- that you would describe any faith (especially one as peaceful and non-violent as Buddhism) as "spiritually dark". I agree you have a right to feel that way, I guess my hope is that you wouldn't share your feelings with your child, since this is the practiced faith of China's culture.
I have lived in many different places- Muslim countries included (also a gorgeous faith- the extremists, just like any Christian extremist, certainly paint it differently than it really is)- and I have a deep and abiding respect for all religions of this world. Do I agree with them all? I don't have to- but I am called to walk on this earth with every other man and woman. I am called to love them as they are, where they are. Christ himself gave that mandate. And it's no small asking, but it's the simplest thing to do, the easiest way to live.
In the words of one of my favorite folk artist's (ellis paul), from his latest (and first children's) CD (the song is called "Nine Months to Fix The World"): "I'm declarin' this whole planet, every inch as holy land, so no matter where your feet fall, it's sacred where you stand, from Pickipsee to Bethlehem. I'm gonna clear the world of bullets; confiscate the guns. Fill up all gun barrels with chewed up bubble gum... I got 9 months to get 'er done. Gonna whittle down the scriptures, the bible, the Qur'an. Gonna whittle 'em down to one phrase any fool can understand: Love your fellow man".
I wish you only the best. I hope as you enter deeper into your own faith, as I have into mine, you will find how broad and open it truly is... that like Christ's arms- yours too will stretch to embrace all of humankind. No matter what they practice or how.
We're all rowing this boat together, after all.
Kris
Thank you for your respectful comment. I normally do not talk about my personal beliefs of any kind on this blog because that is not what this blog is about. I am only going to partly and briefly depart from that now (only partly due to time constraints and only briefly since that is not the purpose of this blog.)
Kris, you and I agree on some very fundamental points. "I am called to walk on this earth with every other man and woman. I am called to love them as they are, where they are". I 100% agree with this statement, and it is how I attempt to live my life. I am not perfect in my ability to love others, but never has religion or race or personal belief been the reason I struggled with showing love to another. One does not have to believe in, respect, or in any other way condone the actions or beliefs of another to show love to that person. Yes, Jesus met people where they were... then He asked them to change when the moment was right.
As far as Buddhism itself is concerned... yes, the SECOND greatest command is "love your neighbor (everyone) as yourself"... the FIRST and GREATEST command is "Love the LORD your God with all of your heart, soul, and mind". Therefore, I can never bow before a gold idol in a "blessing" ceremony (So out of respect, I did not participate). I can never call Buddhism anything other than a false religion. And I can never say I did not feel spiritual oppression in that temple when I did.
There is only One True God. Only He is light... all others are darkness no matter how they appear on the surface. If this is offensive to you, I am sorry, but I was never promised friends for telling the truth. Know that *I* do not care what religion you practice (or if it is none at all), I can still love you and be your friend (I think my non-Christian friends would agree).
Now, since talking about faith on public venues is largely unproductive, and it is too easy to misunderstand each other, the SUBJECT IS CLOSED!