Buddhist Temple

Yesterday, I visited a Buddhist temple with my classmates. Although it wasn't my first time at a Buddhist temple, I don't really have much knowledge about it, so I still found it interesting.

I was born into a Buddhist family, but I never visit my temple. I ended up learning a number of new things yesterday! For instance, I learned that nirvana means disappearance...essentially, it's death. Also, you can't "convert" to Buddhism: it's just that in Buddhism, you have to make choices for yourself, and there is no certain way to do things. You have to take responsibility for yourself. You can be Christian and Buddhist, which I didn't know was really possible, either.

We had to take off our shoes before entering the main room of the temple because the atmosphere is made to feel like home. We had to strip away our "public" appearances and show our true selves.

It was also weird to learn that Buddhists don't believe that love lasts forever. It seems like a depressing thought, but they believe that since we don't live forever, love doesn't last forever. It seems logical if you think about it, but I feel better thinking that love does last forever!

I was surprised by how calm the minister was. He was very friendly, and the practices and ideas that he talked about weren't strict at all. For instance, although love doesn't last forever, we should all have compassion: we should share with others and help those in distress.

I really enjoyed the trip and learned a lot of things I had never known. It was funny how the minister noted that when he was younger, he'd only go to the temple for parties and festivals. That's exactly what I did when I was younger! For that, I really didn't have much sense of my own religion, but yesterday, I was able to learn a little more.