Buddhist Passions

The Nature of Buddhism: Peaceful Coexistence

I was in Thailand for twenty-one months during the Vietnam Era. I noticed that the accoutrements of Buddhism were very ornate and quite splendid, seeming to induce a sense of tranquility and contentedness in its followers. I also noticed that, while Thai society was predominantly Buddhist, Christianity was as freely practiced in Thailand as in Western Europe. The ability of the two general systems of belief to coexist was remarkable and very encouraging to foreign missionaries who, with native Thai followers of Christianity, functioned freely with no hindrance. A spirit of cooperation among the world’s Buddhists and Christians may well be essential amid the threat that now looms from an often violently activist movement whose fundamental doctrinal text demands coerced conversions. It anciently destroyed Indian Buddhism and is now intent on destroying all who do not submit. It is vicious and unforgiving, offering no path to reconciliation. Buddhism, while neither confirming nor denying the manner of the sort of Supreme Being espoused by Judeo-Christianity, does not conflict with the belief of those who do acknowledge such a being. Christianity, for its part, exhorts “… do[ing] good to all men, but especially those of the household of the faith” (Gal 6: 10). Indeed, the Five Precepts of Buddhism (forbidding murder, adultery, lying, theft and drunkenness) look somewhat like the last five Commandments of Christianity. I am of Italian ancestral background; live in Phoenix, AZ, USA; have a degree in computer-science; and freelance as a Thai-English translator. I learned written Thai during my stay in Thailand, studying on my own. An incidental consequence of that study was an introduction to Buddhism and many a native Thai Buddhist.

Hobbies

internet, bible study, writing, computers

Body Type

fit, slender, average

Movies

action, sci-fi

Orientation

straight

Eye Color

brown

Hair Color

black

Ethnicity

Caucasian

Relationship

couple, dating someone special, committed

Have Kids

no - maybe with the right person

Education Level

college grad

Profession

Other

Income level

Less than $25,000

Do you smoke?

no - open to dating smokers though

Do you drink?

wine

I currently live

alone

Socially, I am

better in small groups

Political Views

conservative, libertarian, republican

Food Related

Lactose Intolerant (am I sharing too much?), Omnivore, Italian

Personality

conservative, intellectual

Religious Views

Christian

Drugs

never

I'm looking for

friends only, miss right, conversation

My Sign

cancer : june 21-july 22, i was born in july

Military Service

air force, veteran

Pets

Cat, No pets currently (but like them)

Gender

Male

Music

Chamber, Dance

Hair Style

short hair

Fitness & Sports

working out

Health Related

naturopathy

Groups:

none

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1	Forum: General Discussion Topic: Introduce Yourself `Hello everyone, My name is Don. I reside in Phoenix,... Time: Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:18:16 -0500

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