That's exactly the kind of question you want your 7 year old to ask in a clear loud voice in the produce section at the grocery store. That's my kid-- asker of all questions at all times. Mind you this is on Good Friday in Bible Belt Modesto.
It took me so aback that I had to tell him-- ask me later honey. Actually I had FORGOTTEN what the day represents (yes the day of the crucifixion of the Christ). I'm a former Unitarian- Universalist- usually conversant in many religions but a tad spotty when it comes to Christianity.
That's the life of a Buddhist child in a very Christian Community. Even in Public School all sorts of religious holidays are celebrated (actually lets say another excuse for all sorts of candy). I don't take great pains to keep him separate from all the celebrations. We have a "family of friends" from many cultural and religious backgrounds. We get together regularly for holidays. It's hard to explain that "we're just doing the cultural part of the celebration." So my kid has lit candles at a friend's house for Hannukah, learned about fasting in Ramadan. Our house even sports a small Christmas tree, 'cause ya know every kid BELIEVES in Santa Claus under 8. Being African American, we also celebrate the cultural holiday of Kwanzaa.
So the short human is very ecumenical; holiday is a good excuse for fun and coming together with friends. It just gets very dicey for him when the other children at school make fun of his being Buddhist. One child told him definitively, all Buddhist pray to statues (mind you this one was Catholic-- he kind of missed out on the point about Catholics praying to statues of saints and the Virgin Mary). Others inform him on a regular basis that he is GOING to HELL as he doesn't believe in Jesus. That's a comforting thought for a first grader to pass onto his schoolmates.
My son proudly does Sansho; on some occasions will chant with me. We've even started reading bits of the Gosho together thanks to the "Buddhist Treasures" book and the kid's section of the World Tribune. He'd rather that I not "pubicize" that we are Buddhist. Just another thing that makes him different from his peers.
What did he ask once we got into the car in the store parking lot? "Mama, what is gambling?" Why does he save the easy questions for the car?
Guess he'll learn about craps, poker and blackjack soon...
2 snaps and lots of Daimoku for a QUIET on call weekend.
Dr. Mimi
Posted by drmimi at April 9, 2004 09:00 PMI really like that sticker. I'm looking for a pithy comeback for the "Left Behind" crowd (series about the Rapture when all the saved folks suddenly go to heaven, leaving others behind to figure it out).
My son could use some of those statements...Care to share a few more?
Best,
Mimi
Posted by: Dr. Mimi at April 13, 2004 08:44 PMI LOVE the bumper sticker idea. . .I want one! ;-)
Posted by: john at April 12, 2004 04:23 PMI've trainned my duaghters to counter this kind of nonsense with statements like "since I'm Buddhist I don't have to worry about going to hell, that's only for Christians". We have others, but you get the point.
I'm working on a new bumper sticker for my car... "Born again.. and again.. and again, and again...."
Greg, Rev. & Shidoshi
Posted by: Rev. Greg at April 12, 2004 10:03 AM