What type of Buddhist am I if I pray to Guan Yin?
923924
If you pray to Avalokiteshvara you would most likely be a Mahayana Buddhist.  I am not sure you could be a lot more specific than that.  He is one of the most, if not THE most, popular bodhisattvas around the Buddhist world.  You are most likely some sort of Chinese Buddhist since it is the Chinese name for him.  You might also like cross-dressing.  (He always looks so much like a woman =)  ).
270934
An interesting perspective and I would like to know what tradition that lesson is from? Is it from Hinduism, Buddhism or Jainism? If from Buddhism, then from what school of thought? \n\nMy personal belief is that it's too much to worry about. I do the beat that I can and try not to harm other beings. I take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sanghas and I follow the five precepts as best as I can while trying to better tomorrow. When bad things happen I accept them as a condition of life and I know that it will not last forever. I should not become discouraged and upset when things go wrong. I remember that there are those in the world that are currently experiencing good things in their lives and I am happy for them. I also remember that no matter how bad things are for me, there are those that have it worse and I feel compassion for them.  When good things happen I also accept them as a condition of life and I am equally aware that good things will not last forever. There are those that do not have as much as I do and for them I feel compassion and remember to share my good fortune. I should not become overly excited just because something good has happened. When it comes time to pay my karmic dept, then I will do so willingly knowing that nothing very, very good nor very, very bad last very, very long. In time, my dept will be paid. \n\nI can only do my best each day.  Worrying about what type of karma I am accumulating or if there are types does not help me free my unborn mind. My goal it to be the best that I can be while helping others to end their suffering and find the joy that is in every breath of life. \n\nAmituofo!
320600
You can get a special visa to visit Thailand to study religion and become a monk.  You do not have to give up your money, wife, kids, etc., that's another religion.  \nYou would enter as a novice and study the languages used (Sanskrit, Bali, Thai) and the prayers/chants until you could pass an oral exam on them.  You then study the 200+ rules for becoming a full monk.  When you are ready you are tested again.  If you pass, you're a monk, if not you can try again.\nSome rules are no contact with women AT ALL.  No eating anything after 13:00.
939137
a)  Nope.  100% Neo-pagan, which makes sense since I'm Wiccan.  The next closest matches were New Age and Buddhism.\nb)  I've explored all three.  I was raised Protestant.\nc)  I'm extremely happy with where I am in my life.  I would advise anyone else to look at what they truly believe - not what they have been told to believe, but what they actually think "explains things" when they look at life and how it works.  I was very unhappy until I finally let go of the fear that I would be punished if I said, thanks Jesus, but I'm going over here.  Thus far, things have been much better since I realized I was on the wrong path.  Above all, I think maintaining a balance in life helps breed happiness.
415025
Personally, I like the policeman comment, but okay.  Try this approach--if you were the budisatha (bodhisattva?), and if I were to humbly walk up to you, then which two eyes would you see my approach with?\n\nIf you see something, you see something; but if you're examining eyes--you're an optometrist!  \n\nWhich two eyes are right? The two eyes the bodhisattva sees out of, of course!  How do you know which two he sees out of?  You must be the bodhisattva, of course!  How does one become the bodhisattva...?  \n\nA good start is, when seeing--see, when sitting--sit, do in the moment only that which is "of" the moment (not that you could do anything else, but it never hurts to try)...and all other things resolve themselves.  It is in that moment of resolution where appear: The two eyes of the bodhisattva!\n\nNote:  If you notice their appearance--they will vanish before your eyes (bad)!  That is, unless, you have truly noticed their appearance, in which case they will truly vanish before your eyes (good).\n\n-S
986173
Contemporary Buddhist practices differ from place to place. You should investigate which branch of Buddhism you're interested in and then research how well their practices reflect the foundations of either their branch or Buddhism as a whole.\nFor the most part, thought, Buddhists do practice what they teach.
689226
Are you in Kyoto?  It's best to take classes from someone in your culture.\n\nTo locate any buddhist temple go here: http://buddhanet.net/asia_dir/abc_j.htm
842004
Oh I have one that incorporates many Buddhist teachings, I forget what it is called though. I will post the title on your 360 page when I go home this weekend. I think itis called "How to remember your dreams"...
197380
Yes you can. A  lot of Christians, mostly those that have never bothered to read much other than the Bible would say the answer is no. But incorporating Zen Buddhism I have found has made me a better Christian. I do not worship Buddha at all and I disagree with a lot of Buddhist teachings, however there are sects that don't promote the dogmatic aspect of Buddhism but instead act as more of a step by step  guide to being a better and more patient person. I've learnt a lot more about loving  and I mean really loving my fellow man by following Zen than I ever did in 27 years of faithfully going to church.
348870
Find a Universalist Unitarian Fellowship. They have a group that is affiliated with them called CUUPs (Covenant of the Universalist Unitarian Pagans). This is usually a group of people who follow various paths that get together to observe and celebrate the Sabbats and Esbats. Also, go hang out at any metaphysical stores you can find. Let the shop owner/s know you are looking for a teacher.
598384
Stephanie, if you really are that dedicated you don't have to go just yet, get the feel of things first in the UK. My friend is one of the highest ranked masters of Bagua zhang and has studied in china for TWENTY YEARS. If you are unsure about form or self discipline it would be crazy to step in to something until  you know it's exactly what you want. Alex Kozma is a master in quite a few very devastatingly good arts and has written books on his travels and is re-noun worldwide for his teachings. I knew him before he went and now he is a Don. His most famous book is "The way of the esoteric warrior" and there is not alot he doesn't know about the best ways to teach and learn mind body and spirit. At the moment you only have 4 elemental signs Earth Fire Water Air, the Chinese have the void as well, this represents you and what you don't know yet, fill it wisely, be aware. Alex runs the UK (Bagua) Nei jia institute (it has got a good web  site WITH THE SAME NAME) and has masters who teach under him, contact him and express your concerns. His phone number is 0207 386 7122 and does tutor privately for the dedicated  . I am sure he will help you find your way, good luck Q.
695866
Funny I remember reading that and I was going to E-Mail you too. I was going to say how much we had in common though. A lot of what you said does fit with Buddhist belief. I dont agree with their views on reincarnation but you would need to study that for yourself!  I think of them as Atheists because they dont worship a God or Goddess. They may pray in front of an image of The Buddha but they are not worshipping it as a God!\nIt doesn't make you a Buddhist but you might like it if you are seeking a religion! It is only my opinion on Atheism someone will say I'm wrong because Atheism is a personal belief.We dont all agree what makes someone an Atheist!
210158
Congratulations! By accepting you're in God's image after all, You're now a Buddhist. Cheers!
357244
okay, i'm by no means an expert, but i wanna try anyway.\n\nbuddhism's got somethin' called The Four Noble Truths, which basically outline the nature of suffering, and The Eightfold Path, which tells ye how to deal with and hopefully eliminate suffering.  maybe i got that backwards, but i don't think so.\n\npart of ending suffering is right thinking (compassion is another).  since some pornography is exploitive (not all), then i think that the support of such would be frowned upon by buddhists.\n\non the other hand, you have different levels of involvement.  y'got y'lay buddhists--your everyday people.  and y'got y'monks--those who devote the entirety of their lives to buddhism.  for the latter, i'm pretty sure they must remain celibate (and dry--that means no booze), so either that one thang (ach, censorship!) or pornography i'm guessing would not be allowed.  even with lay-buddhists in general, i think drinking is still frowned upon somewhat...\n\nokay, not all monks can't drink and such...  so i've heard, the shaolin monks are exempt from the drinking rule (don't know about taking a wife) because long, long ago, they saved the emperor.  in thanks, he allowed them some leniency in their practices...  it's not like they can just go to a bar and drink whene'er they want though!!  their life is still quite involved with the temple, and that's putting it mildly!\n\ni hope that helps.  if not, i'm sure you can find some good resources on e-sangha.  it's a free buddhist newsgroup.\nhttp://www.lioncity.net/buddhism
123477
hi there, mehereintheeast.  I'm not sure exactly where you can take Chinese classes.  I took some Chinese a few years ago and the way I found a teacher was by going to the campus of a university and asking people who looked Chinese. (Amazingly, every person who I thought was Chinese was actually from China.)\n\nYou answered my question about Guru Rinpoche, and I have a few more questions about it.  Your answer implied that Buddhas are not monks.  Most forms of Buddhism consider Shakyamuni Buddha to have been a monk, and in the Pali texts, he refers to himself that way, as do his disciples.  Is there a different view in the Nyingma school?  In the present case, I am not calling only lamas monks, but all five levels of ordained practitioners as defined by Tibetan Buddhism. Also, is there any record of Padmasambhava having been ordained?  He trained at monasteries in India, but I don't think he was actually ordained.  And finally, have you had any contact with Tibetans, Nyingmapa or otherwise, who feel that his choice to have various female consorts prevents him from maintaining the status of being a monk?  I understand that some people there feel that way.\n\nThanks.
945480
The four face buddha is one that is commonly revered in thailand.\nIt is a well known granter of wishes, each face corresponding to particular aspect; wish, wealth, romance, health and career.\nIt is also known to be the least forgiving buddha because if you do not return to give thanks once your wishes have been granted, bad luck will follow
161770
Why not just go to your local sensei and seek advice from him directly? Doesn't he know more about asian religion than a PhD figure who is proabbly a Christian? Check out this website (I am familliar with Buddhism only sorry) They will answer your questions if you ask them.