Expert: Bodhicitta - 3/9/2008

Question
Hi there. Its been long since I have written to you. I have been very happy with my present Buddhist life, and practicing the teachings of Buddha. I live in a Christian majority environment, and I am constantly approached by them, advicing me to switch faiths, or to accept Jesus as my sviour, or so on. I felt troubled by this, and that's why I am seeking your help. I would hope that you are able to guide me through this. Its quite long, but I will just ask it in a short and simple way.

According to the Book of Rvelations:

Rev 15: if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire

The Book of Life, well, basicly is some book which contains the name of Christians. During the Judgement Day, anyone whose name is not written in this book will be thrown to hell. Not really convincing, but troublesome enough for me.

Also, according to this verse:

Matthew 24:24 For false christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive people

If this verse is true, it would categorize the Great Lord Buddha as one of their "false prophet" too. What kind of fact is this? Buddha wasnt here to deceive us, isnt that right? Again, quite troublesome.

According to this verse:

Rev 20:10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Again, another verse condemming all other religious leaders like Muhammad, Confucious, and also Buddha, to their so called Lake of Fire.

Well, enough of the verses. They often try very hard to convert me by saying that God is God, he is mighty, he is the king of kings, he is the beginning and the end, he is the alpha and the omega, for everything God did was all according to rid the world of evil, and that Jesus is truth, he is the Messiah, there is no such thing like going to heaven by good deeds alone. And they also said that Jesus pointed that prophets (refers to the other philosophers or founders of religIon) who came before him were "thieves and bandits". They also stated that noone created God, and God is true salvation and so on.

I am a Buddhist, and have taken refuge in the Triple Jewels. I know that Lord Buddha came as a true saviour, a true teacher, and a fully Enlightened and Awakened one, free of all bounds. However, these things are constantly troubling me and making my life quite difficult.

I sincerely hope that you can help me with this, and guide me to get rid of my doubts, and strenghten my faith in the True Kings of Kings, True Lords of Lords, the Buddha.

Sinere thanks and regards. Metta.  

Answer
Dear Ler
Every religion has  writings in it's texts that disparage or state
that they are superior in some way to other religions. It might be
instructive to be aware of that in all the different faiths.

It is good to be clear that you are Buddhist and make a clear commitment to Buddhism. I think the problem is when at some level you haven't
really decided - then doubt creeps in.

For some people they are never really sure, and perhaps they should
remain Christian. It is better not to divide yourself.

If you are practicing with other Buddhists in a particular
authentic tradition then there should be some ceremony at which
you can become Buddhist. It is the refuge ceremony. Assuming that
you haven't already taken refuge. My advice to
you would be to find a Buddhist center you can visit and ask their
advice about what preparation would be necessary to take refuge.


The act of preparing to take refuge might clarify the situation for you.

Best wishes
Bodhicitta