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Buddhists and Chinese FolkReligion believers pleaseclick?
I grew up in a family that when asked, claimed that they were Buddhist. I'm now 14 and still confused with my religious status. Lately, after meeting some very religious people, I started to wonder, what do I believe in? Where do I belong? I didn't have a clue about the concept of Buddhism and I intended to learn more. I'd go on my knees and pray in a temple when I'd go with my family. But when I was younger I wasn't sure exactly what I was doing. I just followed what my parents told me to do and I guess that made me think I was Buddhist. Lately though, my curiosity and strive to find a religious point of view has lead me to books and the internet. I researched Buddhism but what I read didn't quite fit. Buddhists' don't believe in a supreme being or god. All my life though, I've been praying to gods. In my house we even have a certain room devoted to the gods I apparently believed. Those gods include: Guan Yu, Cheng Huang, Guan Yin and others. I recently looked those up too and as a result a link to Chinese folk religion popped up. I can somewhat agree with what was in the article but now that puts me at a very confused point. Am I Buddhist? Or am I a believer of Chinese Folk Religion? Or what if they're somehow pulled together and I'm both? But their beliefs contradict each other. Is Chinese Folk Religion a branch of Buddhism? But I also pray to a golden statue of Buddha, in that case does Chinese Folk Religion believe Buddha is also a god and not an enlightened being?
It sounds like you are a believer in a Chinese folk interpretation of Buddhism. Every country it went through interpreted it, all somewhat differently, and added on other things that seemed obviously true to them. China was no exception. I know in Japan, in most Buddhist schools, Guan Yin and others are considered symbolic of states of mind that we try to develop, but many people do think of them as real beings. Since that doesn't harm their practice, the religious leaders don't usually bother to correct their misinterpretation. In fact, the largest sect, Jodo Shinshu, officially believes Amida (Amitabha, or Omitafo in Chinese) is a real person, though most of their members in the USA don't accept this. As for the statue, it is like saluting a flag- not worshiping the cloth, but practicing feelings of respect toward what is symbolized. You have been taught to respect the Buddha and his teachings, so now that you are studying what the teachings mean, you should be good at following them. The customs that have grown up around the teachings can be comforting, and there are many hidden lessons in them, so I say don't give them up until you understand them well.
How many of you here arebeliever of the Chinese folkReligion?
Really, like burning paper offering to the hungry ghost?
I am half Chinese and I have never heard of Chinese folk religion. Can you provide some information on it, please? edit: Oh, yes, I know what Chinese folk religion is then. I had no idea it had a name. I've never done it before. But my Chinese relatives believe in it.
What is your Opinion onChinese Folk Religion?
Do you think it will fill up that empty spot in your heart? Shouldn't you convert already? Did you know that the Judeo-Christian 'God' is a sham? Guilible fools live every where, especially in the village.
i dont know enough about it to be honest, but back off, no he is not a sham, i dont go insulting what you believe in what gives you a right to do so? EDIT: i would rather be a fool than arrogant.
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