Black Americans who are descendents of slaves are Buddhist!

Some become Buddhist practitioners because they lose interest in faith practices that irrevocably sentence them to hell because of their lifestyles. Others, particularly women enter Buddhism because they don't feel they as a gender responsible for the ills of the world due to Eve and the apple story. Nor, do they feel they are unclean once a month and so on. By far the vast majority of Black Buddhist want to have a religious experience that does not inextricably tie them to slavery,victimization, misogyny, endogamy, and dogma rooted in European dominance doctrine. Today many people yearn for a more egalitarian, non sectarian, inclusive relationship with humanity. There is a general sense of being exhausted by the constant drone of religious speech about enemies, damnation, and unseen spiritual battles taking place everywhere including one's own heart. None of these reasons makes one a Buddhist. Buddhist do not evangelize. The only truth is that Buddhist are open to all human beings seeking refuge including Black Americans for whatever reasons bring them to the Buddhist door. I hope this answers your question. Lama Rangdrol
http://www.rainbowdharma.com/RecommendedBo...

I got an alert that you had posted a message for the Group just today. For me, Christianity did not answer my questions about life and Buddhism did. It doesn't put anything outside of you blessing you or not blessing you. It taught me I was in the driver's seat of my life and could choose/create happiness even in the midst of living life with all of it's ups and downs. I practice Nichiren Buddism with Soka Gakkai International- USA which has members all all backgrounds, races and nationalities all around the world and it's been and continues to be a great experience of learning, sharing and doing what we call our "human revolution". You can learn more about SGI by viewing the DVD via this link - www.sgi.org/sgi-dvd.html or by contacting a local center which can be found at sgi-usa.org I too welcome any further questions.

I hope this has been helpful.

Greta Rushion

Here's an interview I did on the topic of African American conversion for radio in the the Netherlands: http://www.rainbowdharma.com/Conversion.ht...
The one minute intro is in Dutch the rest is in English.

Thank you for your comments Gina. And I will definitely listen to the radio interview.

Greta

Hello to All,

I believe that none of you really understand my question. For instance, Ms. Greta said that Buddhism answered her question about life. I do not think it is possible that Buddhism could have answered her since Buddhism is specially for the people of India. Like wise, Islam is specially for the Arabian people as Judism is specially for the Jewish people am I making any sense?

Therefore, it would have to be a Black American [prophet] that would answer Ms. Greta's question about life or give her a way of life she claim that Buddism gave her.

Ms. Greta as all Black Americans is confused.

Tell me what you think, okay.

No, I'm not confused and I completely understand your question Mr. Watley. The Buddhist teachings traveled East with the trade routes and wherever people learned of it, some of them took faith. One of them was Nichiren Daishonin in Japan. He wanted ALL people to know of this Buddhism. He wrote in the gosho that in the Latter Day of the Law (the time we are living in now) Nam Myoho Renge Kyo should be widely propogated... (meaning outside of Japan) Because of the propogation done by SGI after the war, I was able to learn of it and realize the fundamental truth that is inherant in all li; in my life. This practice is for anyone who grasps this truth whether they are African American, of Jewish descent, European, whatever... The SGI is wonderfully multi-cultural and international and I'm really proud to be a part of this group of open minded people.

That's what I think, Mr. Watley.

Greta

Hello Ms. Greta,

I believe what you are explaining to me is that what God gave to one people is good for all people. However, that is not true.

Since we are different kinds of people, God prophets are different as well. For instance, Moses was an Israelite and his people are the children of Israel. Prophet Mohammed was Arab and his people are Arabian. Buddha was of India and his people are of India. Consequentially, you are a Black American and your prophet should be as you are, am I right.

Now, I have given you my premise and I back it up with facts of comparisons and contrasts using Moses, Mohammed and Buddha. If I am wrong then you must back your premise up with greater wisdom to knock mines down, okay.

Tell me what you think.

Hello Ms. Gina,

What I am saying is this; people are racially different and God is well aware. If you have not noticed, prophets and people are racially matched. The obvious and fundamental reason for this is that a God interaction is different from one people to another people since problems are different.

For example, the problem that Moses solved was different from the problem Mohammed solved. Likewise, the problems that we have as Black Americans are different from the problems Jesus was to solve. Therefore, our Prophet will be racially different from all the other prophets including Buddha even though the same God rose up all the prophets. Am I making any sense with you?

In other words, one size does not fit all.

Do you believe there is any truth to what I just said?

Tell me what you think.

What I think Mr. Watley is I'm not trying to prove you wrong or right. You asked why a Black person would choose to practice Buddhism and I explained my reasoning. I can only speak for myself. Gina has given you her reasoning. What you're saying doesn't make any sense to me and I really don't see where it's backed up by much at all BUT it's your reasoning and I don't judge people. I thank you for sharing your views. My only question is - who is this African or African American prophet to whom you refer?

Greta

Hello Ms. Greta,

You asked this question, “who is this African or African American prophet”

I will go extremely slow with you so that you do not miss anything or misinterpret me, okay.

Firstly, I did not say that our Prophet is an African because he is not. Before I go any further, please tell me that you understand that this person is not an African, but instead he is a Black American as you are.

An African American is an African that has become an American citizen. A Black American is a person made on this continent that emerged out of the ashes of slavery who automatically is an American as White people are before the influx of immigrants.

So, before I go any further I want to know that you understand the differences between a Black American and an African-American.

No need to be insulting. I simply asked a question

Hello Ms. Greta,

There is not an insulting word of anything that I said to you. I think that you are being a little sensitive and at the same time moving away from the heart of our dialogue.

So, could we please get back on track and tell me that you understand that we are Black Americans and not African Americans. Therefore, our prophet is a Black American.

I am anxiously waiting that you would tell me you understand there is a difference between an African-American and a Black American. Are you not interested as much as I am to understand why we should practice our own religion rather than Buddhism or some other religion?

Tell me what you think.

Well I'm not an idiot Mr Watley. I can read. Saying you'll go slow for me is deliberatley insulting and not condusive to ongoing dialog. I've already given you my views on religion and my reason for choosing Buddhism I have nothing furhter to add.

Greta,

Thank you for your intelligent and sensitive responses.

Mr. Watley, I find your comments not only demeaning and offensive to group members but embarrassing to intelligent Christians as well. I'm removing your question from the group and will remove any further comments or questions posted by you. Perhaps permanently removing you from our group discussions will give you a sense of the high value we Buddhists place on common courtesy.

Hello Greta and Lama,

I will ease your tension and make this post my last comment. I do not want a fight and argue with any of you.

Ms. Greta, my phrase that I will go slowly with you I explained what I meant when I said that I did not want you to miss anything or misinterpret me. How you could have interpret slow to be insulting when my explanation means that I wanted to be very accurate that nothing is misunderstood is beyond me. It seems that you are too sensitive to have a meaningful dialogue. In my next post I said that we are going off track and indeed, we have went off track. This sort of personality is typical of mostly all Black Americans biting into the flesh of each other. Nevertheless, we will become a better kind of people in the near future, as the children of Israel did for a period.

I know just what I am talking about; believe me. Everything that I say is going to happen.

Who is our Prophet whether I am right or wrong has gone down the drain. Why should we look to God to have our own has went down the drain as well. So, have we are accomplished anything? Absolutely not, am I right.

I wanted to know so much more of why you think as you do. Apparently, I will not know.

We have not accomplished anything, have we?

FYI, if I choose to contact you I will do it by e-mail so that I do not offend Mr. Lama, okay. Perhaps, you may want to do the same yourself if you are willing to continue the dialogue.