Myra’s Question of the Day:
What spiritual legacy would you like to leave for others? Why is this important to you?
When our kids were little and we were living in Illinois, we wanted them to learn about all the religions. Our daughter went to a Catholic Pre-School. For kindergarten she went 1/2 day to the Catholic school and 1/2 day to the public school. Our son went to a Presbyterian pre-school when he was 3 and switched over to the Catholic preschool when he was 4 and then moved to public school for kindergarten. We had close friends who were Jewish so our kids went to many bar/bat mitzvahs and celebrations with them. Whenever we returned to Hawaii for visits they experienced Buddhist celebrations and services.
Buddhism provided me with the peace I needed. Art went to the Hongwanji Temple on the Big Island which is just another sect of Buddhism but teaches the same sort of basic truths which is to think of others and to treat each other with kindness.
However, we wanted our children to experience, respect and understand how others believed also. We are happy knowing they try to be the best they can be, but it’s difficult for them to understand the intolerance of others, and I guess we have a hard time with that to.
POSTSCRIPT:
When I visited him in Japan in 1970, I asked him what the best religion was. Of course, I expected him to say Buddhism. I was surprised when he said, "There is no best religion. The best religion is what a person does with it." He mentioned how he worked with Brother Dutton serving the victims of Hansen's Disease (leprosy) at Kalaupapa on Molokai in 1928 and how much he admired him. So yes, I agree. In the end, it's what you do with or without your religion that makes it and you the best. (This photo shows my grandfather kneeling at the gravesite of Father Dutton who died in 1931.)
I'm a Christian, but I love the Buddhist teachings. Buddhism seems to me to be a peaceful, orderly way of living, more than a "religion". Sometimes I meditate, following the methods of Tai Sheridan in his free online booklets. I especially like one called "Relax, You're Going to Die".
ReplyDeleteIMO religious education should be about religions (plural) and not about indoctrination. You managed to do that in your own way.
ReplyDeleteHaving a moral compass is important. I remember more than a few items my parents taught me that not all of my friends did. 40 years later I have a keener appreciation of these values. Interpersonal skills are being neglected in the millennial generation. But then ours are not as good as as our parents generation.
ReplyDeleteI love the way our church is reaching out to other nations and within the usa with blacks tobuildbounds of careness and serving together.
ReplyDeleteI am a fourth generation Community of Christ member. We used to be called The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints but that name was too long and carried too much baggage. We had broken away from the Mormon Latter Day Saints movement in the late 1830s after it was discovered that Joseph Smith was practicing polygamy.
ReplyDeleteAnd now we are a peace church.
ReplyDeleteI was raised Episcopal but my leanings were unconsciously Buddhist even before I realized that was a religion. We would be a so much better world if all seriously adopted kindness, tolerance and respect.
ReplyDeleteLovely post on spirituality.
ReplyDeleteI was raised Episcopalian. We had the kindest minister and wife ever. They accepted me as I was. My grandmother said before she died that she had Buddhist leanings, and so do I. Like you, we here have difficulty with those who disagree.
ReplyDeleteMy parents never took us into any sort of church when I was growing up, except at Easter (to show off our outfits) and Christmas. Mama was a lapsed Catholic and Daddy never did any kind of religion. I think I was fortunate, because I was able to learn and figure out where I actually fit in. I'm baptized Christian, but I lean towards Buddhism.
ReplyDeleteYou might enjoy reading Carville’s Cure. It was written in 2020 about a leprosy colony in Carville, LA. I read it and really liked it. I had no idea is all I can say. I am a Christian and am spiritual because my Lord’s Holy Spirit dwells in me. He is the Great Comforter Christ said would come after he was crucified. I believe in religious tolerance, also.
ReplyDeleteI am agnostic. I can find no solace or answers in organized religion.
ReplyDeleteI joined the Unitarian Church with my children, to teach them the broader values of life.
ReplyDeleteI have never thought of a spiritual legacy. I was raised strict evangelical Christian but I abandoned all religions some time ago. We went to a Presbyterian church when the kids were home, but now they choose their own paths. One is a Presbyterian and one is non religious but likes the peace practices of Buddhism.
ReplyDeleteI love the way our church is reaching out to other nations
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I found this post enlightening. Your grandfather was a very wise man. To my way of thinking, kindness is its own religion, that and following the Golden Rule. Love one another and respect one another for all our differences. Not perfect by any means and I have made mistakes but that's the legacy I want to leave our son, who is already making us very proud when we see his interactions with others.
ReplyDeleteI love your grandfather's words and the tenets of Buddhism. I was reared Episcopalian but haven't followed any religion since I left home for college.
ReplyDeleteI have Christian beliefs BUT I don't believe it is the only truth. Religions quest to be THE right and only one is the biggest turnoff so I really like Buddhist philosophy and teachings of the universal concept that we are part of the whole. The Dalai Lama's teaching of being kind is a spiritual legacy that I want to leave. Funny, though. I am kinder to others more than to my own family.
ReplyDeleteYour grandpa is right. What we do with the religion makes it best or worst. It is the actions of people, that counts.
ReplyDeleteThat is so true,Bindu!!
ReplyDeleteI love Bindu's comment. I have to say that my faith is at ebb right now. I try to be patient and do good, but I'm really struggling spiritually right now. I'm not sure I have any spiritual gifts to leave behind. I just want my children to be motivated to make a positive change in their corners of the world.
ReplyDeletePS: Richard Rohr would approve of your message. So do I.
ReplyDeleteHe sounds like a loving, peaceful, spiritual man who embraces kindness. I looked him up.
DeleteThank you very much Kay!
ReplyDelete