Just to share with you guys the problem I faced when I'm trying
to spread Buddhism to others :
Many people told me that they are looking for a religion
which there is a saviour. These people were previously from
other religion which there is a saviour. They left because they
believe in karma and reincarnation. I introduce Buddhism to them
but they said they understood that Buddhism is a philosophy
and not a religion.
I think Buddhism will face problem if people going round
introducing Buddhism as a philosophy and not a religion. In fact,
Amitabha is the saviour in Buddhism, so Buddhism is more than
philosophy. It is also a religion.
People are more interested in looking for a religion with a
saviour but they do not know that there is also a saviour in
Buddism who is Amitabha. So, please help to spread the words.
This is where some knowledge of the
development and history of Buddhism is so important to have.
Knowledge of the different interpretation of the doctrines from the
different Buddhist school of thoughts that can cater to individual
preference and disposition is also necessary. All this knowledge
would come in useful as one can than recommend to the individual
the right Buddhist organization to approach that can cater to their
needs.
I have known of Christians
previously, who even though they are knowledgeable about their
faith, would not try to talk to you about it. What they would do is
to make arrangement for interested individuals to meet up with some
other member of their church; members, I believed are trained to
answer questions and clear one’s doubt and also to explain the
teachings in a way and at a level that the individual can grasps. I
believe this are well organized churches. Of course there are also
those that are not so well funded and carrying out proselytizing
work may not be that well organized.
That is where I believe, that if
the Buddhist organizations here can come together, pool some of
their resources and start some form of centralized training for
interested ordinary laypersons in how to carry out proper handling
and spreading of the Buddha’s words, it would certainly go a long
way in helping to draw more non-believers to the Buddhist
faith.
