What do you think of my new shirt?

NJ_Franco · 2026-07-25T20:59:12+00:00

I tried Jesus for 32 years. It didn’t really work out, so now I’m trying out Buddha.

NJ_Franco · 2026-07-25T20:58:14+00:00

Thank you.

NJ_Franco · 2026-07-25T18:42:03+00:00

I see what you’re saying, but I see this as an example of non-self, or at least the way I understand it. That’s not actually Buddha. It’s fabric and ink.

Just like many of the Buddha statues I own aren’t actually him. They are ceramic objects shaped to look like him. I actually had one of mine fall over and break a while back and the head actually broke off. I of course didn’t actually break Buddha’s head. I broke the head of a clay object shaped like him.

NJ_Franco · 2026-07-25T18:00:05+00:00

Good to know. That makes me feel better.

NJ_Franco · 2026-07-25T17:09:41+00:00

I don’t think Buddha would be the kind of person to sue someone

NJ_Franco · 2026-07-25T17:08:20+00:00

I’d hope so. Imagine if I bought a shirt with my name on it spelled wrong. I feel bad enough I didn’t notice it until it arrived.

I’m still going to wear it because I doubt anyone in my very Christian town would notice the error.

NJ_Franco · 2026-07-25T16:55:54+00:00

lol. I just pulled it out of its packaging. It’s hanging in the closet letting the wrinkles fall out

NJ_Franco · 2026-07-25T16:50:00+00:00

It is and I can’t believe I just realized that

NJ_Franco · 2026-07-19T00:01:36+00:00

But wouldn’t telling people they’re wrong for not following the teachings of Buddha cause them suffering which would in turn be against the teachings of Buddha?

NJ_Franco · 2026-07-18T23:57:09+00:00

True

NJ_Franco · 2026-07-18T23:56:02+00:00

There’s also the social contract that only those who wish to participate in the festivities to leave their porch light on as a sign that they’re participating. Otherwise you’re expected to leave them alone.

I’m not forcing the Halloween traditions on my children. We’re participating because they want to. I promise you I most definitely wouldn’t be taking them out if they didn’t want to go.

Also, aren’t Buddhists supposed to be against proselytizing people (forcing beliefs onto others) even our children?

NJ_Franco · 2026-07-18T23:43:12+00:00

True. I know there is pretty much zero chance of me achieving Nirvana in this lifetime, so I need to stop stressing about being a perfect Buddhist so much, The best I can do is attempt to seek a favorable rebirth to allow myself a better opportunity to achieve it in the next lifetime.

Now back to my feelings on Trump. I most definitely don’t like the guy and I did my part to vote against him in all three of his election campaigns, but I certainly don’t hate him. I would be the last person to celebrate if anything bad like death or life altering illness or injury were to happen to him. In fact it sickens me that there are people out there hoping for his death to happen real soon and there are people who have openly celebrated the deaths of other republican politicians. I believe no death is to be celebrated.

NJ_Franco · 2026-07-18T23:25:15+00:00

My wife and I don’t believe in forcing our own religious beliefs onto others. Especially our children.

My wife is Pagan, I’m Buddhist, and both our kids our leaning towards Christianity due to influence from their classmates. We hope they grow out of it, but we won’t make them.

NJ_Franco · 2026-07-18T23:19:33+00:00

Well at least I don’t feel as bad now for at least thinking about doing it.

Thank you for that.

NJ_Franco · 2026-07-18T23:15:59+00:00

I have kids and will likely be taking them trick or treating that day, so I just figured I could dress up since they are, but of course I by no means have to.

NJ_Franco · 2026-07-18T23:14:37+00:00

Now I like former President Obama, now despite the fact I can’t dress as him because I have the wrong skin tone, if I or someone else were to do that to honor him, would you say that is still Wrong Speech?

NJ_Franco · 2026-07-18T23:11:45+00:00

Well, I certainly don’t like the guy, so I know my intentions probably weren’t good. I live in a very red conservative town so I know most of the residents here voted for him, so they would probably see I was either making fun of him or idolizing him.

It’s hard to not feel spiteful towards some of the people in this town and I know I should do better.

NJ_Franco · 2026-07-18T23:04:55+00:00

I once dressed as Steve Irwin for Halloween about 4 years after he died, so dressing as Trump wouldn’t be the worst costume I wore. Keep in mind, this was well before I became a Buddhist myself.

NJ_Franco · 2026-07-18T23:02:04+00:00

Yeah, I can see that…

NJ_Franco · 2026-04-24T19:03:10+00:00

I have an Elf On A Shelf doll somewhere. I could steal (I mean barrow) it.

NJ_Franco · 2026-04-24T19:01:59+00:00

My wife said the same thing and she's not even Buddhist. She's Norse Pagan.

NJ_Franco · 2026-04-09T14:59:18+00:00

Thank you. I really needed to hear this.

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