9781422279694

A Buddhist’s Story

N igel lives with his wife and daughter in England. He was born and brought up in the Christian faith, but converted to Buddhism while he was engaged to Duan, a Buddhist from Thailand. He discussed his faith and his family: “Duan and I attend the Buddhist temple in Wimbledon, south London, with our daughter, Samantha. The temple is built in the style of Buddhist temples found in Thailand. Many who worship at the temple have connections with Thailand; others are Westerners who have chosen to practice Buddhism. We try to visit the temple once a week. Samantha attends a class for schoolchildren, where she learns not only about Buddhism, but also how to play a Thai musical instrument. When she was younger, Samantha went to a kindergarten in the temple, where she and other girls and boys would act in plays about the Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. They also drew and painted pictures. At home we have a small shrine , with statues of the Buddha. Sometimes our family members put flowers on the shrine, leav- ing them there until they wither, as a reminder that even the most beautiful of things will fade and die. As Buddhists, we try to follow the basic Buddhist teachings on how to live, but, like most Thai Buddhists, we are not vegetarians. In many respects, our family is no different from any other.

What Is Buddhism?

13