Has anyone ever been? how was your experience? i have never been big on church-going but, recently, i have been thinking about converting to Buddhism and i wanted to know what are the churches like? Im just a little skeptical about going. Any information would be great! thank you
buddhist's don't have 'churches' with 'services' as such. they have a more user-generated approach to religion. you go to the temple and can be blessed by a monk if you wish but the idea is to go and give offerings (lighting a candle/incense) and then pray/think to yourself, not having a god means less onus to pray generally. the temple is more of a spiritual centre/ place for monks to hang out than the western monotheist house of god idea. it is, admittedly, a somewhat slight distinction.
they are, however, very nice, welcoming, relaxing places. and don't worry you won't be forced to 'prove your faith' or anything daft like that, they are generally very welcoming of new faces.
Fish Jesus ate::
Like Jesus, their births were celebrated yearly on Dec. 25. . I'm Buddhist by the way - - - and that is a whole different can of worms. Digs
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world history::
Most of the Americas, in fact, like most of the world in general, as the original home of two of the world?s great religions: Hinduism and Buddhism.
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Hey I am an atheist but you americans are funny and somewhat uninformed. There is no such thing as a Buddhist CHURCH. churches are for christians, CIN-a-Gog's are for jews, mosques are for muslims, temples are for hindus and Buddhists and the rst of the fun places are for atheists
Well, during the time of the Japanese internment during WWII, the members of the Jodo Shinshu Mission decided to rename the organization the Buddhist Churches of America. This was in order to avoid "standing out" in the future. Some of the temples call themselves temples, some hondos, some betsuins, and some have the name church in them. My temple is named the "San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin".
BCA temples have raised platforms for the "o-naijin", a pulpit for the reverends or guest speakers and pews for sitting. Aside from the area that you look at, it's pretty much the same looking as a "christian church". Again, in an effort to "fit in" in western society. Some of them are based upon Japanese floor plans, others have been designed by standard "church" architects.
Jodo Shinshu is a "householder's" Buddhism from Japan. It was primarily focused on the working person who could not leave their families/lives to go to a monastary.
The services are pretty much like your standard "church" service:
1. Silent Meditation (brief)
2. Read a sutra out loud
3. Sing a song (gatha)
4. Listen to Dharma talk
5. Sing another song (gatha)
6. Closing remarks/announcements
7. Silent Meditation (brief)
8. Bow at the front of the temple
And then, out for tea and cookies. Children go to Sunday (read Dharma) school.
If your looking for an easy transition, you might want to check us out. I believe the website is Http://buddhistchurchesofamerica.com
Good Luck!
In gassho,
Curtis Takahashi
Depending on which sect you go to, the ceremonies can vary greatly from very complex Tantric Buddhist rites to simple Zen meditation. Buddhist usually don't call their centers "chruch", more likely, Temple, Zendo, Center.
There is no such thing. Some sects of Buddism have temples and monastaries, but they aren't churches. Monks live there and meditate and study, and laypeople may visit and learn how to meditate, and learn about the Buddha's teachings, but it's not like church in any sense of the word.
Buddhists don't go to church
a church is a christian building. there's no such thing as a buddhist church. that's like going to a christian mosque.
lol@ brightlamp, trying to sound really intelligent and then talking about cin-a-gogs. i presume brightlamp means 'synagogue'?
They call it a Temple. If you search for Buddhist Church it won't come up on Google and you'll never get there to find out.
It's a good experience, just be dressed for the occassion--some temples are strict - and you'll dress appropriately in zendo (black or muted colors, clean and loose for sitting), and place your footwear neatly.It is a sacred space where religious rituals are performed.
Some have casual dress requirements. While informal attire is acceptable, shorts, Bermuda shorts, miniskirts, bare midriffs and tank tops are not considered proper attire. Please use common sense and consideration.
Outside of the zendo it is important to recognize that displays of anger, boisterous behavior, rudeness, lack of mindfulness, etc. may have consequences for the spirit of the Center and for the attitudes of others who are there.
(In other words, it's diametrically opposite to the behavior here.)
Temples
Boring.
Buddhists have churches, temples, and shrines.
http://sacbc.org/home/
Yes, Japan IBA News had me do a special on Religions. Be careful where you point your feet (Nor-sen-so-shoe)!
If you point your feet at the Gohunzen it is hugely disrespectful!
They are the "karma" folks you sure you can handle that?
(Spelling in Japanese is not my forte', sorry folks.)
Eli
*as lots have people have pointed out already* churches are christian buildings of worship
Buddhism is very much a personal journey, there are temples and shrines but its about individual discovery and enlightenment.
I do understand the attraction to church's, having a community of people of whom you can share your faith, like a family of which you can practice with but Buddhism is quiet and peaceful, a self journey.
I suggest talking to Buddhists either face to face or on the net, there you can organise meeting up and sharing your faith in a group rather than try and ride it alone.
Being new to Buddhism myself, its an inspirational and life changing philosophy, i hope that helped
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