Expert: Justin Choo - 6/27/2007

Question
I'm dying on June 30th in a car crash. Don't ask me how I know. It's just going to happen that way. As a child I was a Buddhist as well, as my family. I didn't attend regular temple just about two my whole life. Then as I got older I started reading the Bible for Catholic and Christian. I wanted to get a copy of the Buddhist Bible, but they weren't available. I guess in part I was ashamed and I know it's bad, but I got picked on a lot for being Buddhist and I guess that was why I was ashamed and I read in an article once that part of the journey of being Buddhist is accept that. Anyway, since I switched I was told I was going to hell and not returning and receiving nirvana and I wish I could return, so I can see my family again and I can see my nephew graduate. I mean I heard that souls can go into a human and live their life or have some part of them live through them if that makes any sense. I mean my grandfather died when I was 8 or 9 and when I was 10 I believe I saw him on a Christmas tree and he talked to me and then my mom noticed I had some of the characteristics like him, so I don't know. I know I'm going to be banish to hell because I am switching yet again, but I don't know what to believe. I really would like to come back and be reborn. I shouldn't have deny my true faith because that was what I was suppose to believe, but I deny because I was scared of being made fun of by others. I already deny God as the Holy Spirit, but what I am saying is if I could come back and just to see my family and be human again after I die. Would that be possible? I mean I know that Buddha does not hate, so it would ok for me to believe in Buddha and God, but the thing is God is jealous, so I don't know. It's all to confusing. Please help me if you can.

Answer
Hi Lydia,

One thing for sure you're not going to die in a car crash on June 30th. I can even guarantee you that it won't happen if you just follow my advice...Don't get into a car on June 30th!!  SEE!? I am looking forward to hear from you on 1st July!  I must admit I shall not be able to provide you with clear cut answer.  The main reason is that I don't really know you.  (I am also giving you the benefit of the doubt that you are genuine in what you said.)  

My comment would be that you just let go of all these troubling thoughts.  It is not going to be easy because you have already created a habit to indulge in this line of thinking.  Why not try to occupy yourself with the things that you enjoy doing?  Also you should talk to those you love or trust.  Let these "religious contradictions" be.  Don't try to ever reconcile these "problems" as you will never succeed because the more you dwell in them the more confuse you will be.  These are NOT the real problems.  You created them in your mind.  Forget about Buddhism and Christianity for the time being.  Live your life as an ordinary mortal.  Take a break.  Given time all these "problems" will just disappear because you no longer allow your mind to dwell in them.  In order to do that, (I repeat) give yourself a break; talk to someone you trust; go for a holiday; engross in something you love doing.

This is the best I could comment.  
I wish you peace.
Justin Choo.