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by Biggie15 on February 5th, 2007

Biggie15

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Can I convert to Buddhism, despite being in a Roman Catholic family? Is Buddhism something you can practise personally?

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Answers. 19 helpful answers below.

  • by Stableboy on February 5th, 2007

    Stableboy

    Actually you can practice Buddhism without "converting" or even leaving the Catholic church. There are quite a few "dual practitioners" in the Christian world. Thomas Merton is an example of someone who was well known for this -- he was a monk and a Zen practitioner simultaneously, and wrote quite a few books on related topics.

    As to "converting", there really isn't anything to convert to, since Buddhism isn't about replacing your existing set of beliefs with some other set of beliefs -- it's really about practicing awareness in your life.

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  • by branciforte3241 on March 16th, 2007

    branciforte3241

    Imagine that there were a group of people who called themselves the Breathers. Over thousands of years they have gotten really really good at breathing, in a deep, cleansing, relaxing way. They don't demand any particular believes or worship, but the have plenty to say about how learning to breathe more deeply and deliberately can improve your life. You might go to them and say "Can I convert from being a Catholic to being a Breather?" and they would tell you "Dude, everyone breathes."

    Buddhism is like that.

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  • by Dakini on February 6th, 2007

    Dakini

    (This is long. I'm sorry, but there were two questions, and both had multiple meanings. Please bear with me while I explain...)

    We can sit zazen together or circumambulate a favored stupa with others, or even believe (despite what the Diamond sutra says) that we are guiding others to Nirvana with our practice. But in truth (*and* in the sutras) the practices are of an inner nature, and personal. The focus is intensely personal because it is the practitioner's own karma that is being developed in order to literally compel them to an experience beyond even the idea of a "beyond". Very personal, yes, I think so.

    But wait! After writing that, I did a double-take on the question and now I'm wondering if maybe you meant "alone" when you used the word "personally". If so, that's not too good. It's much better to have a "sangha", a group to associate with. In fact to "convert" for most Buddhists means to formally declare taking refuge in the Three Jewels; The Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. The first two you can do alone, but not the third.

    The other half of your question also gave me a double take.

    On one hand, you may mean, can you be both Catholic and Buddhist? But on the other hand, you may have been asking about the expected fall-out that could occur, if a family member "converts to Buddhism", when the rest of the family all venerate the Pope like a devout Tibetan Buddhist venerates the Dalai Lama.

    Not knowing your family, I can't say how they'd react...or their friends...or their Priest.

    But I can say with certainty, NO you cannot convert to Buddhism AND be a Catholic at the same time. You can study it. You can use the practices. But the word "convert" carries with it a much deeper commitment to the Three Jewels. A commitment that will pull you in a direction that will be, if not at odds with, certainly not parallel to, Catholicism.

    There is a relevant Christian admonition that "no one can serve two Masters". But that was in reference to a bad choice as "the other"...the Devil vs. Christ I believe.

    In this case, I don't think it's a choice between "good" and "bad". It's more like what Michael Nesmith said in a song....

    "You can't try and walk
    down two different roads
    and look to both of them
    to bring you home."

    I'll also cite Joseph Campbell who, in his television conversations with Bill Moyers many years ago, said that to get the full effect of a spiritual path you must commit your life to a single one. He even expressed some regret that because of his vocation (comparative religion studies), he wasn't able to do just that...focus on a single path and take it "all the way", as it were. I also remember Houston Smith saying something quite similar.

    (Again, sorry for the length of response. Hope at least a bit of it was worth wading through.)

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  • by Bluerose on March 16th, 2007

    Bluerose

    You do not convert to Buddhism. You practise Buddhism until you yourself feel like a Buddhist. It is more a life philosophy than a religion.

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  • by AntigoneRising on February 5th, 2007

    AntigoneRising

    Yes, you can convert to Buddhism, and it is something that you can personally practice.

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  • by Shebak on August 12th, 2008

    Shebak

    Actually, the word "Conversion" can not be found in Buddhism. I think the Buddha himself never interested in converting people, but rather in alleviating the sufferings of people. I think, no need to give up your faith in Roman Catholicism or to be a Buddhist if someone really want to practice Buddhism.

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  • by singwell-is off researching a lot on March 16th, 2007

    singwell-is off researching a lot

    Of course, you CAN. There is nothing legal that can stop you. But, as someone who has been brought up RC, do you still believe in the basics of their teaching? If you do, I would think that it would be difficult (although not impossible, as some have pointed out) to reconcile two such different world views. However, if you can reconcile them, then so be it. No one can stop you. (Disclaimer: I am not saying that both/either/ neither are correct/incorrect so don't jump on me.)

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  • by ron4540 on March 16th, 2007

    ron4540

    Okay -- here's the secret to Buddhism -->

    Go to Borders Bookstore and from time to time, read a book on Buddhism.

    There are meditation groups and retreats, but many of us simply read a book from time to time to learn more about the philosophy.

    There aren't really prayers or worship.

    May I suggest --"Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life" by Thich Nhat Hanh

    as a good starting point.

    More by the author --
    http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/104-3379431-4963932?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Thich%20Nhat%20Hanh

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  • by Gabbledictum on October 19th, 2008

    Gabbledictum

    The Catholic instituton has never been able to rule out its mystics, such as Francis of Assisi or Theresa of Avila. Rather, it is the spiritual renewal that the mystic brings that enables the structure to thrive and have relevance. No Catholic in authority could deny that the whole of the edifice is built on love and compassion so, if it resonates in a Catholic's heart to practise Buddhism, he or she cannot be converting away from or out of the church's central teaching which, if only in this very special sense is at the core of all true religion and all earnest enquiry.

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  • by Shebak on August 14th, 2008

    Shebak

    Actually, Buddhism is based on reason and understanding. The Buddhist concept toward “conversion” is according to his / her own understanding, realizing, investigating of intellectuality, choice and experience, but not because someone has been told you to accept Buddhism or to convert to Buddhism or to answer for your question. As you are a human being, you have your own understanding. You have your own common sense. You have your own intelligence. You can understand what is right or what is wrong. So, why someone should answer you for this question “Can I convert to Buddhism”? The tone that you ask in your writing is show that “how far did you understand Buddhism? Please, go and see as well as investigate about Buddhism when Buddhism itself invites everyone come and see; to discover truth for one’s self. Then you will have your own answer what you asked here. I will suggest you that you should not convert to Buddhism until you find something good about Buddhism. Please, go and study one by one about Buddhism, and if you think that there is something good for you, then you have your own understanding or freedom whether you will accept it or not. It will completely depend on you and your freedom. If you think that there is nothing good for you, you should not accept Buddhism. Also, it is necessary to remember for you that if you realize something good in Buddhism or something benefits you can get from Buddhism, it is not necessary for you to convert to Buddhism. Because I personally think that it is not necessary to be a Buddhist if someone really wants to practice Buddhism. Buddhism also never says that you have to convert to Buddhism if you want to practice Buddhism. You can practice wherever you are. You can also follow and respect your religion.

    However, my dear friend. Whatever I wrote, that is my opinion. Please, don’t believe me what I wrote, and don’t think everything is right in my writing. Besides, you have your common sense to evaluate it.

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  • by dorjey on December 1st, 2007

    dorjey

    Definitely you can convert to Buddhim by taking refuge in the buddha , dharma and Sangha. If you want to tread a meaningful life based on logic, truth ,love and compassion rather then on mere faith. you can take refuge in the tripple gems.
    yes, you can practice personally. however,three things are important for a buddhist practioner.
    Inputs about the dharma,by all means and media.
    Analysis on the basis of ur experince and logic.
    imbibe logical and apprecited facts and truth through
    meditation to change ur behaviour and personality.

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  • by Starmaster on March 16th, 2007

    Starmaster

    You can convert to any religion you may like. It is one of our freedoms, something very valuable in our Democracy. Remember that in Afghanistan two women were arrested and jailed because they were preaching Christianity? I am not a religious person, but I love that we live in a society in which freedom of religion is accepted and respected.

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  • by Anjana on March 8th, 2007

    Anjana

    We are born into a family of a certain religion religion (decided by God) that is most beneficial for our spiritual progress. It is always best to follow the religion of our birth. Pls visit http://www.spiritualresearchfoundation.org/spiritualresearch/happiness/gaininghappiness/happiness_chantingasperreligion_b.php for more info.

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  • by Thinker on August 12th, 2008

    Thinker

    I personally would not want to "convert" to any "religious" belief. I do not consider being Christian a religion.

    You are an individual being...you have a brain and you have free chioce...If you care or desire to "convert" to anything then do as you wish don't let any religion including Catholism keep you from doing as you desire if you believe you will feel better.

    I became a Liberated Christian several years ago because I was tired of listening to the half-truths and down right lies comming from preachers in almost any church you can name. I have learned more about God and Jesus than I learned from any "normal" church. If you would like more information please email me...this goes for anyone.

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  • by macyxtreme on July 25th, 2008

    macyxtreme

    As long as you don't WORSHIP Buddhas, I'd say you're still Catholic,....

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  • by Tel UK- Licensed to fish! on August 12th, 2008

    Tel UK- Licensed to fish!

    You wanna be a Buddhist, then be a Buddhist....you could certainly do worse.

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  • by AdityaU on April 22nd, 2009

    AdityaU

    hey,
    you can be yourself, doesn't matter whatever you would like to be called, as a roman catholic or buddhist.., conversing own habit pattern and mind is what a real things in one's spiritual life, pure life-- . noting is kept in name or in saying.. following teacher with full faith and walking under his guidence is needed to be followed for conversion from the misery to happiness.

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  • by Iron_Monkey on August 19th, 2009

    Iron_Monkey

    Yes, you can 'convert' to Buddhism and be a Christian as well. Since you don't worship any gods or idols in Buddhism (at least you're not SUPPOSED to) you're not going against God. Being a good Buddhist is essentially being a good Christian (is essentially being a good Muslim, is essentially being a good Jew, is essentially being a good Jedi) since the historical Buddha and Jesus both teach the same thing--"do unto others as you would have done unto you".

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  • by Italiojoe on June 21st, 2009

    Italiojoe

    To convert implies that you are giving up your faith in the truth that the Roman Catholic Faith sets forth in Jesus Christ and the Good News setforth from God one the salvation of mankind. Inorder to do this one would have to have investigated what that news includes.

    To convet also implies that you have investigated Buddhism and have found it to be something to grasp in faith with understanding and conviction.

    I would like to set one aspect of buddhism on the table for you seeing that I have done an investigation of buddhism myself. In Buddhist scripture the buddha claims his direct knowledge (the path he outlined) is known to him. It is clear to him. It is complete to him. He also states *clearly* That there are things outside of his direct knowledge. Knowing this one can aobserve clearly that his through what the buddha shares in his discourses (scriptures) that his path is lacking and that there is an area above his learning and understanding.

    You see the buddha never achieve rebirth in what the buddhists call the heavenly realms of non-returns (arupa-loka if I recall correctly) that being said he does not know the truth shared in the teachings of that higher heavenly realm. It is beyond what he can see...

    Keep these in mind when considering conversion and investigate.... Aslo if you need any buddhist scripture references to back up what I have shared let me know.

    Thank you and God bless you...

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