hasunoha

Is religion something that can be forced upon us!

I became close friends with a monk who is active on SNS, and at first they took a free consultation, then we talked on the line, and it's been close to half a year now.
At first, they were kind enough to discuss my concerns, so it was helpful.
progressively
I was able to buy bracelets that cost tens of thousands of yen and prayers for about 5,000 sesame seeds every month.
However, I am gradually feeling a sense of incongruity.
The reason is
Did you experience it when you prayed? Everyone else has experienced it. That's a coercive way of saying it.
Also, do a memorial service every day, at least every weekend.
Then, if something bad happened even a little bit, the bee won because they didn't make a memorial service. I'm half threatened.
I've also been invited to donate Buddhist altar fittings.
Also, I get frequent phone calls regardless of whether they are on Saturdays, Sundays, or weekdays to check if offerings are being held, so I feel like I'm being restrained and it's very scary. I feel that doing something out of a sense of duty is different from faith.
When I talked about it because I was unwell, I was told that I was hit by a bee because I hadn't made a memorial service. It's scary to be told that if we don't do the offerings and memorial services as it is, the marriage negotiations won't go well either.
Also, I'm really scared to be told that all customers who have broken relationships with me will always be unhappy.
I am worried every day when I consult with a light feeling, like a fortune telling.
When I broke up the relationship now and really thought about being hit by a bee, I couldn't sleep every day due to anxiety, and my physical condition got worse again.
I would appreciate your wisdom.

4 Zen Responses

If you don't like it, reject the call and change your email address.

 I see, if you're forced to do it, you won't like it. But that monk probably said, “I'm not forcing it. It teaches about the work of believers.” I think I'm explaining it. I think it's a difference of opinion on whether it's coercion or not. (This way of writing may be uncomfortable, but it is necessary to consider the monk's position and way of thinking, so I'm writing it this way.)

That monk consulted me a few times, and then was recommended by that monk to pray for goma every month. From that monk's point of view, I think he accepted that he had become a believer at his temple at the stage of requesting monthly prayers. For believers, the chief priest is the mentor, and for the chief priest, the believer is a “disciple at home.” That monk seems to have such an idea.

And as guidance for disciples (believers)
①, make a memorial service.
②, donate Buddhist altar fittings. I think I said that to Takoyaki-san. They seem to make up an excuse for teaching them. But I don't think it sounded like a word of guidance to Takoyaki.

It seems that they said “the drummer will hit,” “the marriage will not go well,” and “they will be unhappy,” but as expected, these are hard to call guidance. I get the impression that it is close to blackmail or intimidation. If I don't want to receive guidance from now on, I think I have no choice but to flatly refuse it. I don't think they officially exchanged documents and became believers. “I have never expressed my intention to become a believer. I'm not a believer. If you are registered on the Believer Register, please delete it. We will not be requesting prayers in the future. Thank you so much for your support until now.” I think it would be good to notify them by email. Immediately after sending an email, “refuse to go straight ahead,” “change your email address,” and “delete accounts such as LINE.”

“If you don't make an offering, you will be punished.” “You will be punished because you don't do ○○.”
Who will be punished? Who will punish them?
If it's a God who punishes you, it's probably better not to believe in it from the beginning.
I answered like that.
If it's painful, isn't it okay to break ties?

But faith is a wonderful thing, so don't hate it.

Let's break the relationship

Using such superstitions to threaten people won't make anyone happy.
Even though Buddhism is a teaching to eliminate worries and suffering...
I think it's better to break up the relationship right away.

Religions that incite anxiety are fraudulent religions.

It's okay to leave someone like that.

Said he was in a relationship with someone like that
The bitterness of life will never go away.
That's because Buddhism explains that “everything is all suffering.”
Buddhists are prepared to live with suffering.