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buddhist monastery for lunch, thoughts

June 7th, 2009 at 01:03 am

Today I am going to have lunch with a friend, and a few of her friends, at a local buddhist monastery. I have grown up going to things like this so while I am excited to go there, I really do not think it is that 'different'.
Her friends however, are of the 'normal' variety. And while I think there is nothing wrong with being normal, I am a little apprehensive about the whole thing. They are the type to point and laugh at things (should I be mentioning the fact they are in their mid 20's?) that they think are strange. Not only do I think it's rude and offensive, I also think it's very closed minded. But then I feel bad, because I am judging them on something they have not experienced, and have no understanding of. And THEN I think, why should I feel bad? They have the ability to broaden their horizons, knowledge, understanding, and yet they do not!

It makes me think about when the time comes to raising my own children. I want to expose them to as many different things and experiences that I can that will influence them positively. I think it's important to have a wide understanding of the world around you; to have cultural understanding and acceptance.

Does anyone else agree?

Different food, places, people, culture, area, lifestyle, religion etc. It is important to not get yourself into a rut. I am not saying I am going to bring my child up like a gypsy, quite the opposite. I did not have a stable upbringing, so that is something I will strive to provide for my own family. But at the same time I want them to understand that there is a whole world out there, and you cannot expect people to all be the same. And even if you don't agree with someone's lifestyle, it doesn't give you the right to judge them for it.

5 Responses to “buddhist monastery for lunch, thoughts”

  1. gamecock43 Says:
    1244333694

    I was exposed to many different things growing up, I traveled everywhere, and I also laughed, pointed, and refused to follow the culture I was in when traveling. I cringe now thinking about it, I am ashamed of how I acted- it's all about maturity.

  2. shiela Says:
    1244336909

    I too was exposed to different religion and cultures growing up, I reckon it's great.

    Growing up in Melbourne with its vast multiculturism is great, my friend from uni are all from different walks of life. It makes life a lot more interesting.

  3. Apprentice Bliss Hunter Says:
    1244337777

    Emm.. I think it all comes down to confidence...

    only people who are not sure of their own worth would point at somebody different in a manner to say "they are lesser than me"

    while a confident person would say "hey, that's cool... I never thought about X like that before".

  4. Broken Arrow Says:
    1244466464

    Lunch at a Buddhist monastery? That is interesting!

    Well good luck. If it makes you feel that uncomfortable, perhaps the plan needs to be changed of you may want to go alone some other time?

  5. whitestripe Says:
    1244488822

    ba: it doesnt make me feel uncomfortable as such, just that i could imagine some cringe-worthy moments happening. (AND THEY DID! she could not understand why there was a person in the shop that could not talk even though myself and my friend tried to explain to her that they come here for a spiritual retreat, and depending on what they are there for, sometimes have to go through a period of 30 days without talking to anyone. why is that so hard to understand?)

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