Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Wandering Along the Path: Right Speech
My husband and I and two friends went on a tour of the Mormon Temple near us. It's been renovated and until it is consecrated non-Mormons may see it. It sits like a citadel or castle on a hill, with an amazing view. Everyone was kind and welcoming, and the building like a warren of rooms, with different purposes for each. The paintings are mostly of Jesus in various scenes from the Bible, with a few others of fathers and sons or mothers and children. Everything is spotless and hushed. There are no windows. You have to go outside to see the view. Our tour caused a lively discussion after, as we ate lunch. We only had impressions, but from what was said we could all four see the appeal. The emphasis is on the family and blood relatives, and the description of heaven as being where all the ancestors unite with you and yours a lovely image. These people believe with all their hearts, and I surely wouldn't want to argue with them or take away their happiness. I just don't believe in organized religion, and haven't since I turned 17. Nothing dramatic happened, I just felt the structure was oppressive and bound me to something that made my life narrower and restricted. I just no longer believed in someone or something OUT THERE to turn to. Which is why the practice of Buddhism suits me better. I work on myself, not others. Changing or fixing anyone else is not my business. When I act, it is to enact the precepts and keep my vows. If there is response, fine, but that is not my goal. So I am not missionary material.
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