I've been thinking a a lot as of late about converting to Buddhism.I identify strongly with the set of beliefs and guidelines and ideals they claim they represent. However, growing up in a Christian home and being raised in a Christian church i feel has hindered my ability to grasp certain concepts and also i have a few questions of my own:
For starters, Buddha talks about entering nirvana and leaving the cycle of life and death. He also mentions that our strongest desires get passed on through reincarnation. Now, if to enter nirvana is to abandon all desires, then nothing would remain of you, and entering nirvana merely ends the cycle of life and death....does this mean nirvana is infinite death? This is a hard concept for me to wrap my head around because as a Christian i was taught that all life is infinite and no matter what you live forever, and heaven is just the better of two places to live forever in. Its difficult for me to want to pursue something where the ultimate result is permanent death. Am i totally wrong in my assumptions? Also, I know Buddha avoided questions like these choosing instead "Noble Silence" but does the Buddhist community take any sort of stand as far as creation? As far as i understand Buddhists in general do not believe in a God. ( i emphasize the capital G because i know some Buddhists see buddha as a savior rather than a teacher , also understand there are at least 2 major sects in buddhism and that there may be multiple or conflicting answers to this question.) I would appreciate any kind of feed back that anyone can give on this matter. Thanks for your help.
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My mother was a Chinese trapeze artist
In pre-war Paris Smuggling bombs for the underground. And she met my father At a fete in Aix-en-Provence. He was disguised as a Russian cadet in the employ of the Axis. And there in the half-light Of the provincial midnight To a lone concertina They drank in cantinas And toasted to Edith Piaf And the fall of the Reich. My sister was born in a hovel in Burgundy And left for the cattle But later was found by a communist Who'd deserted his ranks To follow his dream To start up a punk rock band in South Carolina. I get letters sometimes. They bought a plantation She weeds the tobacco He offends the nation And they write, "Don't be a stranger, y'hear." "Sincerely, your sister." So my parents had me To the disgust of the prostitutes On a bed in a brothel. Surprisingly raised with tender care 'Til the money got tight And they bet me away To a blind brigadier in a game Of high stakes canasta. But he made me a sailor On his brigadier ship fleet. I know every yardarm From main mast to jib sheet. But sometimes I long to be landlocked And to work in a bakery. |
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Mar 03 '07 by
