I'm a new Buddhist

[Morpheus]

Originally Posted by FindingMyself

If you don't mind my asking, are you of Asian descent, and/or is Shinto your religion of origin? I'm curious, because from what I know of Shinto, it seems like it could be difficult to be a convert to Shinto without already being immersed in Japanese culture specifically, perhaps more difficult than, say, a Pagan who follows the Greek/Celtic/whatever pantheon.

Personally, I view it(Christian-Buddhist intermixing) as similar to Santeria or Voodoo - an amalgamation of Christian and African indigenous religion.

Regarding Buddhism being identified with "no God". This is a matter of percerption, you know. And, involving the nature of God.

"Tathagata-garbha (how do you pronounce that?) is IMO the very same concept as "Christ Consciousness" or "unio mystica" - the concept of consciousness that everything is interconnected and we all are part of Godhead.
That is a concept often encountered in the NDEs."
(Azure - NDERF Forum)

"Gautama Buddha speaks of the Supramundane (Lokuttra, Lokottra) or Unconditioned (Asankhata, Asamskrta). He refers to God as being the known, but unknowable, and that even an attempt to label the name God is insufficient to define the Absolute."

- "Buddha and God"
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There is, O monks, an Unborn, Unoriginated, Uncreated, Unformed. Were there not, O monks, this Unborn, Unoriginated, Uncreated, Unformed, there would be no escape from the world of the born, originated, created, formed." - Buddha

From - Udana passage of the Kuddaka Nikaya:30

I have been practicing Vajrayana Buddhism for 20 years. But, it had taken me over 20 years of reading and study before I took refuge with my teacher. So, first thing is just be patient. Second, use your difficult situations as practice. It really helps to read though - and look for books that are easy to read. I found the Dali Lama's books initially very difficult. And the first Zen book I read made me say this is too hard for me. One good source is FPMT - they have many articles you can read on line and they are very easy to understand. Finally, there are two Buddhist practices you can easily do. One is to offer up your suffering for the benefit of all sentient beings. Instead of reacting in anger or self-protection, look at what is happening, say, why am I getting angry? Why am I hurt? I offer up these emotions for those who are angrier, who are hurting more than me. Another practice is to take in the suffering and anger of others and send them light, and grace, and blessings for peace. I'm new, so hope this helped a little.

Oh, yes, when I took refuge with my teacher, as a Buddhist he said, I was entering a religion that is not a religion, it is a way of life. A daily practice in developing compassion, patience, and the recognition that there is no separation. Through my daily practice, (and it took several years) I began to see that it was my anger that accelerated the often violent arguments I had with my husband. I recognized that he was my practice. And through this I learned to recognize my anger and to control it. As for God, the basic Buddhist position is, it is too deep a subject to be even discussed. Our goal is to attain enlightenment for the benefit of others.