Dharma Talk: My Journey from Christianity to Buddhism
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Tan Kah Tee was brought up in a Baptist Sunday School in Singapore. After pre-U 1, he spent 15 years in the United Kingdom exploring Methodist practices, Anglican rituals, Roman Catholic Gregorian Chants and Eastern Orthodox Icons. He had even lived with Benedictine monks. Now a Buddhist, Kah Tee will share the insights of this journey wishing that we will learn to appreciate the goodness in other beliefs.
Venue: BF@PES
30 Sep 07
Time: 11am
All are welcomed!
Buddhism does not prevent anyone from learning the teachings of other religions. In fact, the Buddha encouraged His followers to learn about other religions and to compare His Teachings with other teachings. The Buddha says that if there are reasonable and rational teachings in other religions, His followers are free to respect such teachings. According to the Buddha, religion should be left to one's own free choice. Religion is not a law, but a disciplinary code which should be followed with understanding. To Buddhists true religious principles are neither a divine law nor a human law, but a natural law. Man should be allowed to choose his religion which is in accordance with his own conviction. One has no right to force another to accept a particular religion. Some people surrender their religion for the sake of love, without a proper understanding of their partner's religion. Religion should not be changed to suit man's emotions and human weaknesses. One must think very carefully before changing one's religion. Religion is not a subject for bargaining; one should not change one's religion for personal, material gains. Religion is to be used for spiritual development and for self-salvation.
Quotes from Asoka Pillar:
One should not honour only one's own religion and condemn the religion of others, but one should honour others' religions for this or that reason. In so doing, one helps one's own religion to grow and renders service to the religions of others too. In acting otherwise one digs the grave of one's own religion and also does harm to other religions. Whosoever honours his own religion and condemns other religions, does so indeed through devotion to his own religion, thinking, ` I will glorify my own religion. ' But on the contrary, in so doing he injures his own religion more gravely, so concord is good. Let all listen, and be willing to listen to the doctrines professed by others -
Hi,
i just came back from the talk (BF is holding it 3 times - tonight, Sat evening and Sunday morning) at Buddhist Fellowship (BF). While it was interesting, it was unfortunately, too draggy. The speaker conducted a 45-min lesson on meditation which i felt was toooo loooonngggg so instead of the talk starting at 8pm, it started at 8:30pm and dragged on till about 10:05pm. And while Mr Tan wanted to touch on his Baptist and Anglican background, he went quite off-topic a number of times, which caused the talk to become even longer.
However, it was still interesting so would suggest everyone to attend it on either Sat evening or Sun morning.
Gassho -
where is buddhist fellowship?Originally posted by sanath:Hi,
i just came back from the talk (BF is holding it 3 times - tonight, Sat evening and Sunday morning) at Buddhist Fellowship (BF). While it was interesting, it was unfortunately, too draggy. The speaker conducted a 45-min lesson on meditation which i felt was toooo loooonngggg so instead of the talk starting at 8pm, it started at 8:30pm and dragged on till about 10:05pm. And while Mr Tan wanted to touch on his Baptist and Anglican background, he went quite off-topic a number of times, which caused the talk to become even longer.
However, it was still interesting so would suggest everyone to attend it on either Sat evening or Sun morning.
Gassho -
buddha one palm can flatten jesus....
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u not afraid to lose ur job?Originally posted by DjMatrix:buddha one palm can flatten jesus.... -
Buddhist Fellowship is at 9 Chwee Chian Road, off Pasir Panjang Rd. It shares its premises with Poh Ern Si temple. You can go to their website www.buddhistfellowship.org for the directions under "Contact us".
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shan zhai, shan zhaiOriginally posted by DjMatrix:buddha one palm can flatten jesus....
namo amituofo...
i don't think buddha would ever do that.
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maybe Djmatrix only play one song on his Dj mixing turntableOriginally posted by DjMatrix:buddha one palm can flatten jesus....
buddha one palm can flatten Jesus
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joking lah wah raosOriginally posted by bohiruci:maybe Djmatrix only play one song on his Dj mixing turntable
buddha one palm can flatten Jesus 
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Wah, how come Buddhism is so similar to Free-Thinkers?Originally posted by neutral_onliner:Buddhism does not prevent anyone from learning the teachings of other religions. In fact, the Buddha encouraged His followers to learn about other religions and to compare His Teachings with other teachings. The Buddha says that if there are reasonable and rational teachings in other religions, His followers are free to respect such teachings. According to the Buddha, religion should be left to one's own free choice. Religion is not a law, but a disciplinary code which should be followed with understanding. To Buddhists true religious principles are neither a divine law nor a human law, but a natural law. Man should be allowed to choose his religion which is in accordance with his own conviction. One has no right to force another to accept a particular religion. Some people surrender their religion for the sake of love, without a proper understanding of their partner's religion. Religion should not be changed to suit man's emotions and human weaknesses. One must think very carefully before changing one's religion. Religion is not a subject for bargaining; one should not change one's religion for personal, material gains. Religion is to be used for spiritual development and for self-salvation.
That part on changing religion - some people wear religion like clothe. So can change for love, fashion, money, ocassion, etc. -
not to worry .. i also jokingOriginally posted by DjMatrix:joking lah wah raos 
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Can anyone post what he said here?
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How do you post what you didn't say here?Originally posted by laoda99:Can anyone post what he said here?
Don't worry lah, this is not EH. There are no bigots here. -
Originally posted by TheGoodEarth:
ever heard of Guan1 Zi4 Zai3 Pu2 Sa4? the Bodhisattva that was Enlightened by contemplating on freedom/ease? a.k.a Guan Yin Pu sa.
Wah, how come Buddhism is so similar to Free-Thinkers?
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Says who? There are plenty of bigots in any given religion.Originally posted by TheGoodEarth:How do you post what you didn't say here?
Don't worry lah, this is not EH. There are no bigots here. -
You are right. Have you crossed over from EH? Btw, I was told Buddhism isn't a religion. By my own definition, it is also not a religion - posted this somewhere here before.Originally posted by Herzog_Zwei:Says who? There are plenty of bigots in any given religion. -
like e speaker, i once was saved...but now am "lost"....hahahhax
too bad to c pple go e other way..... -
but then again no offence to anyone...just my personal view
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I think it is a common trend to see that some religions trying to shake of its relationship to the term "religion". Probably over the time people have develop a negative impression towards religion, often relate to dogma and perhaps some other conservative and impractical teachings.
Although I didn't attend that Dharma Talk, I believe it is good. I had attended quite a few church services many years ago, then and even till now when I read some christian magazines, there will be testimonies of how people from non-christian faith convert into christianity.
Despite most of them having zero or wrong understanding of what Buddhism and Taoism are about, the journey for them to convert to christians are often very motivating and inspiring. That is what some of my friends and I had observed, the "born-again" are usually more pious and zealous in their effort in sharing their new-found faith.
Whereas in Buddhism, we don't often see much of these testimonies available. -
ru lai shen zhang...Originally posted by DjMatrix:buddha one palm can flatten jesus....
which one are u talking abt?
#9? wan fo chao zhong? -
As an ex-Christian I can offer some insight: When you get very involved (that is not just casual Sunday mass-type), you will be asked to do God's work - evangelising, witnessing, praying, cell-grouping, etc., etc. Many became very zealous and to demonstrate that, will not hesitate to hold gatherings in schools, after-schools, at work, after-work, at home, etc. etc. going on missions, retreats, bring more lost sheeps to the fold, go forth and multiple, save the sinners (all are sinners regardless, even if they do good!), therefore must convince people to believe Jesus is the saviour and only thru him can you go to heaven, etc. etc.... You will find this when you join them - no need to explain so much.Originally posted by yamizi:Whereas in Buddhism, we don't often see much of these testimonies available.
As for Buddhism, no such thing as doing God's work, rite? Also, salvation is not thru Buddha but thru one's own karma and practicing the dhamma - rite? The goal of Buddhism is end of suffering, leading to no rebirth, rite? The goal of Christianity is eternal life in a place better than paradise. So, this is very attractive!
Now, you see why it is much easier to sell Christianity than Buddhism? In Christianity, you just accept and believe in a saviour. it is simple and easy. In Buddhism you have to renounce this and that, meditate, make merits and ensure good karma. That's a lot of hard work to do for oneself. If there is a saviour to do all the work, voila, so simple and easy. Somebody died for my sins - that's good for me. I am absolved, relieved of past misdeeds!
I will tell you this: it is very easy to be a Christian but not easy to be a Buddhist. A lot of Christian beliefs are just make-beliefs and a lot of naive people buy that.
As for 'buddhists' or 'some other faiths' embracing Christianity - let me say this: I don't think they are 'serious' Buddhists. More likely Taoists or others who are neither here nor there (in between religions) type. Anyone who is serious about a belief must begin with an open mind and explore very far. Start by being a sceptic and ask a lot of questions - deep, probing and embarrasing ones! If you begin by believing already, then what is there to talk about?
My stand is this: be a Free Thinker first. Explore and examine. Do not commit yourself and then it will be very difficult to retract later unless you are as brave as me! You see, all religion somehow wants you to demonstrate commitment - baptism, seeking refuge, be born-again, etc. etc. Many people once committed feel obligated and won't dare to change even though they know it is not what they like! Worst still when they have this thing called APOSTASY, and you will be jailed or stoned to death. To me, joining an organised religion is not dissimilar to joining a gangland triad. Only difference, it appears to be very noble! -
don't blame him for jumping ship, christians juz have too much to do. its not enough to be good and go to church...
cannot do this lah, cannot do that.
imho, its important to be a good person. too many times have i had people blowing cig smoke at me at a bus stop, too many times i held the door open and did not get a note of thanks, too many times have i had the life door slamed on me.
don't really see karma working, but thats life too right?
thus... i'm a realist. -
Check the definition in the dictionaries:Originally posted by TheGoodEarth:You are right. Have you crossed over from EH? Btw, I was told Buddhism isn't a religion. By my own definition, it is also not a religion - posted this somewhere here before.
Chambers Dictionary, 2006; Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 2003; New Penguin Handbook of Living Religions, 1998; Dewey Decimal System of Book Classification; Robinson & Johnson, The Buddhist Religion -
Originally posted by TheGoodEarth:
As for Buddhism, no such thing as doing God's work, rite? Also, salvation is not thru Buddha but thru one's own karma and practicing the dhamma - rite?
depends, it's not exactly true.
The goal of Buddhism is end of suffering, leading to no rebirth, rite?
end of INNER suffering, yes. no physical rebirth is for arahats. Bodhisattvas and Buddhas still manifest "rebirth" to deliever sentient beings. As when one attained Buddhahood, one accomprise the Triple Bodies: - Truth Body(Merge with Utimate Truth), Bliss Body(True Happiness) and the Manifestation bodIES(manifest into countless bodies to help beings realised the Utimate Truth).
The goal of Christianity is eternal life in a place better than paradise. So, this is very attractive!
Now, you see why it is much easier to sell Christianity than Buddhism? In Christianity, you just accept and believe in a saviour. it is simple and easy. In Buddhism you have to renounce this and that, meditate, make merits and ensure good karma. That's a lot of hard work to do for oneself. If there is a saviour to do all the work, voila, so simple and easy. Somebody died for my sins - that's good for me. I am absolved, relieved of past misdeeds!
I will tell you this: it is very easy to be a Christian but not easy to be a Buddhist. A lot of Christian beliefs are just make-beliefs and a lot of naive people buy that.
As for 'buddhists' or 'some other faiths' embracing Christianity - let me say this: I don't think they are 'serious' Buddhists. More likely Taoists or others who are neither here nor there (in between religions) type. Anyone who is serious about a belief must begin with an open mind and explore very far.
maybe you would like to explore the Teaching of Pureland Buddhism. a teaching "Quite" similar to X'tianism. They stress on the Other-power of Amitabha, faith, vow or aspiration and practice nienfo and letting go. -
hmmm...... maybe I join triad.Originally posted by uglyguy:don't really see karma working, but thats life too right?
thus... i'm a realist.