what can i do

[georgesbluegirl]

As I understand it, Buddhism "... is about freeing ourselves from psychological restraint and responding to each situation." The author I found went on to say, "Their view of ethics is different from that of Christianity whereas Buddhist views of ethics is about contributing to one's own well-being and that of others, including in sexuality."

Ehhh, sort of. Eventually, distinctions between the self and others break down - the example that I usually go to is compassion. Compassionate action is natural (the "pre-reflexive response") because ultimately, there isn't "my suffering" or "your suffering." You get past discrete terms and suddenly there's just "suffering," so you work to alleviate that. It's really the opposite of watching out first of all for your personal well-being in the larger sense - while dialectical Buddhism deals with balancing the "non-dual dualism" of recognizing the true lack of distinctions in a relative world defined by distinctions, a lot of practice in most schools has to do with loosing attachment to the world, including the self.

[yaqub]

"Honor your father and your mother".

Whether she is a Christian or not, and whether we like it or not, as a Christian, we need to honor and love them. If we have problems or difficulties with that, then we need to ask the Lord to help us honor and love them.

When I first became a Christian, my parents were extremely angry, I got kicked out of home (for a very short while only), but I got other threats and hurting words from entire family. But I continued to pray for patience, love and obedience.

Many years have passed since, and they have turned around because they know that they did not lose a son when I became a Christian. Instead, they have a better son. I let them know that Christianity taught me to honor and love them. My father is no longer around, but I regularly send money to my mother (I'm from a poor family background). My mother goes to church with me when she comes to visit me. She still hasn't believe, yet she commented that church is good. And I learn to say "I love you" and "thank you" to my parents (which was very difficult in my culture). Each time, I can see my mom's eyes go teary when I say it.

Many people have problems with in-laws, but my wife and I make it a point that honoring our parents is a very important commandment. My mother's relationship with my wife is sometimes better than with my sisters. When I go visit her, she even takes my wife for shopping, and cooks special food that my wife likes.

Don't give up. "Let you light so shine...".

Edited November 8, 2007 by yaqub

[Artemus Prime]

"Honor your father and your mother".

Whether she is a Christian or not, and whether we like it or not, as a Christian, we need to honor and love them. If we have problems or difficulties with that, then we need to ask the Lord to help us honor and love them.

When I first became a Christian, my parents were extremely angry, I got kicked out of home (for a very short while only), but I got other threats and hurting words from entire family. But I continued to pray for patience, love and obedience.

Many years have passed since, and they have turned around because they know that they did not lose a son when I became a Christian. Instead, they have a better son. I let them know that Christianity taught me to honor and love them. My father is no longer around, but I regularly send money to my mother (I'm from a poor family background). My mother goes to church with me when she comes to visit me. She still hasn't believe, yet she commented that church is good. And I learn to say "I love you" and "thank you" to my parents (which was very difficult in my culture). Each time, I can see my mom's eyes go teary when I say it.

Many people have problems with in-laws, but my wife and I make it a point that honoring our parents is a very important commandment. My mother's relationship with my wife is sometimes better than with my sisters. When I go visit her, she even takes my wife for shopping, and cooks special food that my wife likes.

Don't give up. "Let you light so shine...".

You had stated here that saying thank you was very difficult in your culture...just wondering, which particular culture do you hail from?...blessings, A.P.