Page 69 - A Study of Traditional Chinese Religions in Malaysia: The Decline and the Path Towards Revitalization

4.4.2 Being able to find peace within TCR

Being able to find peace within TCR has been revealed as one of the main reasons for John,
Steven and Helen in making their decision to embrace TCR.

Based on John’s sharing, he is happier and finds peace in practicing Buddhist

teachings, as he relates the following experience:

“I visited a Buddhist temple on one occasion – at that time I was no longer interested

in being a Christian. I posted a picture on my Facebook and asked my pastor to come
to the temple. He did. I then told him, “Look, I feel so happy here. In fact, I am happier
than I used to (when I was a Christian). In this temple, I have the freedom. Buddhist

teachings also do not give me the pressure.” In the end, I posted another picture of
me with the pastor on my Facebook. When my Church friends saw the picture, they

probably knew that I had reached the point of no return. The sad thing is that they
would no longer call or text me. When I tried reconnecting with them, they would
coldly tell me off. It was a struggle for me that I had to lose such friendships when I

decided to convert out of Christianity. It took me a year and a half to overcome this
matter emotionally – I had to temporarily move to another state before moving back

to where I am. I couldn’t understand why they had to treat me so differently just
because I decided to profess a religion different from theirs.” (John)

John’s sharing shows how he not only finds serenity and joy in learning and practicing
Buddhist teachings in his life, but also the fact that he does not feel the pressure of having to
recruit members as a Buddhist. He also has had to overcome his feelings of sadness and

disappointments after losing the friendships formed with his Christian friends. Hence, the
sense of peace and happiness that he attained when he became a Buddhist would have

been significant for him in the transition from Christianity to Buddhism.

In a similar way, Helen also found peace, serenity and contentment in after converting
to Buddhism and her journey of discovering Fo Guang Shan is described in the following:

“Initially I didn’t know what I wanted, that’s why I kept searching. It’s only when I came
into Fo Guang Shan, then I realized that this is what I’m looking for. When I first came
here, my father was very ill. I didn’t know anyone and I came here to buy Nian Fo jing.

That time, Ru Xin Fa Shi saw me and asked me what I was doing here. When I told
her that my father is ill in the hospital, she said can we go and see him and pray for

him? That time I was very touched. I can see that here it’s so different, I wasn’t even
anybody and this person approached me and offered to see him to do prayers for him.

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