hasunoha

freedom of religion

My mother-in-law recently passed away, and when I went back to my husband's parents' house for the funeral, my sister-in-law often told me about her religion.
My husband's family consists of 3 people: father-in-law, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law (second daughter)
I am a member of a religious organization.
My husband, sister-in-law (eldest daughter), and I are unreligious, and to put it bluntly, my parents' house had a funeral at Higashi Honganji Temple, so I told my kids that I had a funeral in the same way.
Since a long time ago, I was told by friends and the like of the group my sister-in-law joined me that they boasted that they were doing well on tests and entrance exams and that all of my daily lives were going well, and I was told that the sutras read at your house would go to hell, so I really hated religion.
So, now I'm talking to my sister about various things, such as being unreligious is the most embarrassing, and how do ordinary people give them the kajime and dharma names when they are given it by high-ranking people.
I respect my father and mother who gave birth to and raised me the most, rather than believing in 1 Shinto, Buddha, or person.
I think it's good to be grateful to my parents every day.
If it's a religion that creates sources of conflict, I think it's fine to be unreligious.
Do you think it's wrong to think like me?
Could you please let me hear the opinion of the chief priest?
Thank you for your support.

3 Zen Responses

That's fine

Your way of thinking is fine.
The purpose of religion is to eliminate suffering.
Religions that cause you suffering are not recommended.
Know various religions, know Buddhism, and if there is a teaching among them that makes sense to you, please believe it.
If you have any questions while studying Buddhism, please ask them here.

The cause is the worry of pride

There are people who base their pride worries on religion.
For such people, thinking that their religion is the most correct is probably what supports their lives. (Maybe it's a lifestyle where there is no hope other than being stuck in it.)
If you don't have a sufficient sense of self-affirmation in everyday social life, it may be easy to become addicted to radical new religions.

In Buddhism, pride (arrogance) is also thought to be the cause of trouble and suffering (anguish).
It's difficult because in order to completely get rid of pride, you need to be aware,
Fighting to satisfy the bride is not good (increases suffering).

Also, “is it wrong to think like me?” There is a possibility that the worry of pride lurks even in the question.
Life will be easier if you can be OK no matter what others say to you, but the worry of pride may be the most formidable affliction.

Do you know or don't you know

Hello. I'm a monk of the Jodo sect.
Now, we will generalize and understand things from the specific sample in front of us. I looked at my own son and understood “a boy is...” or “a woman is... anyway” from past romantic experiences. From my past memories, I think “parents are well...”
But I wonder if it's okay to generalize it enough? I wonder if they've looked at enough samples and understood that as common denominators? “I bought a lottery ticket the other day, so I won. That's why lottery tickets are profitable” huh? Isn't that a guy called Beginner's Luck...?
So, depending on how many diverse samples and experiences they have, the accuracy of understanding “what is this is a collection” changes.
What you have to be careful about here is the bias “because I experienced it myself.” It's the one that has the biggest impact on your thoughts, isn't it? “I'm more sure because I've experienced it than read it in a book, rather than what I've heard from others.” That's my assumption. No, I'm not saying it's “uncertain, fake.” However, “wouldn't it be better to make a decision after knowing more things?” I think so.

So, I think you're a calm person, so I'm writing it.
“I don't need a negative religion. Then nothing is fine.” I see.
So, do you feel that a “religion that is positive for you” might be possible?
Right now, I think I'm in just the right place, meaning “I have the freedom to taste religion and choose what I like.” No, there's no need to sign in or anything. While coming into contact with various things, I thought, “That way of thinking might be good!” If only I could come across something called that.
I hope you find words that support you.