Hikin' Mama Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 This actually happened to me. Wondering what the hive thinks. All gracious responses welcome. :) If a Buddhist prayer is offered up at the start of an event (public half marathon) that is not religious in any way, would that offend anyone who is not Buddhist? I am not, but I didn't care. I would not bow my head or close my eyes as some others were doing, because I'm not Buddhist and therefore the prayer had no meaning for me. In this situation, is it okay? There were no other prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 The only Buddhist prayer I'm familiar with is the chanting of "Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo". But I don't care. Most public prayers don't have any personal meaning for me. I just figure it is a formality to call the group to order in a way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolt. Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 I suppose a marathon is a privately planned/hosted event (not planned by any level of government or a public institution) so, it's "ok" however they want to characterize their event, whichever religion they want to privilege, whichever participants or observers the want to risk making feel somewhat-uncozy in whichever ways they might. However, I would find it quite unexpected and wonder if I had accidentally joined the Buddhist equivalent of "Runners for (insert religion here)!" Or of the event had an unknown religious sponsor, etc. Any sort if prayer at that kind of event would be odd here (W. Canada, urban) so to have prayer at all would be kind of a strong statement. (When there are prayers they would be expected to be either incredibly vague, or quasi-environmental / first-nations, or multiple representatives. These would only be expected at some sort of solemn occasion, such as a war memorial, not ever at a sporting event.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbmamaz Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 When i'm somewhere and a christian prayer is said, i try to lower my eyes a bit, even tho I'm not christian, just out of respect for those around me and those performing the prayer. Except at my high school graduation, where I was surprised and rather angry . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 BTW - I have been at public events where there was a Buddhist prayer (outside of Buddhist temples in Japan, where one might expect it ;) ). The last one was at a Veteran's Day celebration. I listened politely as did my entire family. We were not offended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Meh. I wouldn't care...unless it had previously been forbidden for someone to offer up a Christian prayer, or there was some sort of nonsense rule that a Christian prayer could not mention "Jesus" or "God," then yeah, the principle of the thing would bug me, but not the prayer itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albeto. Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 What's a Buddhist prayer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Nyssa Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 When you say "public" do you mean that this was run by the government, or that it was open to everyone? And, what is the content of the prayer? What did it talk about? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Χά�ων Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 What's a Buddhist prayer? I think it depends on the tradition Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 I've never met a Buddhist prayer so I'd be interested.If I had met so many I was bored of them, I'd stand there politely and look at the ground as I would during anyone else's prayer, poem or whatnot and hope it was going to be a short one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hikin' Mama Posted January 16, 2014 Author Share Posted January 16, 2014 What's a Buddhist prayer?I have no idea. :) I'm not Buddhist. We were all waiting to run and a person in charge said (over the loudspeaker) let's offer up a Buddhist prayer for our race today, or something to that effect. I really wasn't paying attention to what was said during the prayer, because I was thinking about the 13 miles I was about to run. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hikin' Mama Posted January 16, 2014 Author Share Posted January 16, 2014 When you say "public" do you mean that this was run by the government, or that it was open to everyone? And, what is the content of the prayer? What did it talk about? Public event, open to everyone. And as for the content, I wasn't paying attention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 They're quite nice. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara in Colo Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Honestly, I find any type of "plea" to any type of higher power for a frivolous activity (yes even sports) is offensive. I just don't see asking God to bless your football game to be something he should be called upon to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Honestly, I find any type of "plea" to any type of higher power for a frivolous activity (yes even sports) is offensive. I just don't see asking God to bless your football game to be something he should be called upon to do. I don't think Buddhists believe in a higher power...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara in Colo Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 I don't think Buddhists believe in a higher power...? That could easily be true--- since I know next to nothing about Buddhism. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamaraby Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Public event, open to everyone. And as for the content, I wasn't paying attention. Right, but run by the city or the county? Or organized by a private race organiztion and open to all who registered? Just because I sign up to run the Alzheimer's 10K in town and anyone else can, too, does not put it on par with, say, a city council meeting or the fall festival hosted by the city rec dept. my response would differ based upon the context. With the first I wouldn't really mind, but I might choose not to participate or at the very least look it up later. In the second set of examples I would mind quite a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Without gods involved, are those prayers or poetry? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 I was wrong on what I said above - it was for Memorial Day, not Veteran's Day - it was run by a Veteran's Association and had government speakers as well as prayers by religious leaders (Christian as well as Buddhist). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamaraby Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 it was run by a Veteran's Association That's the salient point. Run by private organization, but open to the public? Don't care. Don't even care that elected officials were there. The government didn't organize it, they didn't run it, and government funds weren't used to pay for it so pray go as many gods and goddesses as you wish. Pray to only one god or use an interfaith prayer, knock yourself out. Wouldn't bother me one bit, though I will elect not to join in/bow my head if I choose to attend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camelfeet Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 I wouldn't be offended. I'm not offended when the call to prayer echos through the malls or wakes me up at dawn. I would ignore the prayer and go about my business the same way I do when I hear other public prayers. Just so long as no one expects me to stand still and bow my head or otherwise pay attention. To me Buddhism doesn't rank more acceptable fro public prayers just because it doesn't have a central god figure. What I dislike about forcing a person to change their behaviour as a mark of respect for a religion they don't believe still applies to Buddhism. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 That's the salient point. Run by private organization, but open to the public? Don't care. Don't even care that elected officials were there. The government didn't organize it, they didn't run it, and government funds weren't used to pay for it so pray go as many gods and goddesses as you wish. Pray to only one god or use an interfaith prayer, knock yourself out. Wouldn't bother me one bit, though I will elect not to join in/bow my head if I choose to attend. I wouldn't care either way. I had to look up the event online to remember the details of who ran it. It's hard to tell when there is a wall of talking heads up on the dais to know who organized what. The private, government and religious leaders present were all significant in some way to the soldiers being honored at the event - that is what was important to me. It focused on Japanese soldiers so both Japanese Christian and Buddhist representatives were there. If there had been someone there from another faith it would have been weird and out of place not because I would specifically care but because it wouldn't have represented the soldiers being remembered. A Shinto priest would have been ok too but I didn't see one listed when I looked up the event. Perhaps there isn't as big a community related to that in the area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 I am not offended by other's religions or them choosing to practice it how they will. A friend of mine runs a Buddhist Sunday school, I read his blog and I enjoy seeing him discuss it on facebook. I don't have to agree with one's faith to admire and appreciate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdrumm4448 Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 I'm a Conservative Christian and I wouldn't be offended. I don't believe we should silence others' religious views just because we believe in something different. If a Satanic "prayer" was offered I'd think the person was a idiot, but that's not the same as being offended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 If a Satanic "prayer" was offered I'd think the person was a idiot, but that's not the same as being offended. I am not even sure what that would sound like...probably not like the background music from The Omen, which is what I imagine. *giggles* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 I am actually at events where Buddhist prayers are said fairly often. No biggie. It is a common religion here compared to other places in the US. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 It wouldn't have bothered me at all. I probably would've bowed my head a little out of respect for any Buddhists around me. Seems like a great time to practice the Golden Rule to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in Neverland Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 I hear the Muslim call to prayer 5 times a day every day. There are Buddhist alters with incense burning in almost every business I frequent. I will not be able to go anywhere for the next 3 days because of the Hindu Thaipusam holiday. And I am a Christian. First, I think it is unrealistic to expect to go through life without ever being exposed to a religion that is not your own. Secondly, I think being exposed to these other beliefs has made me a more well-rounded person. I don't get angry or indignant because the mall has a prayer room for Muslims but no alters for Christians. That's just ridiculous. I wouldn't be offended if someone quoted the sacred text of their faith or prayed to their god/goddess/higher power in front of me. People need to stop being so easily offended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ripley Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 It wouldn't offend me. I might be old-school, though; I see many offenses taken to be a choice - people choosing to take offense where none is intended. Not all, but many. I think we do a disservice to truly offensive actions when we decide every little thing is offensive. Everything has the possibility to be found offensive - whether it's someone's politics, religion, or the idea to wear black knee-highs with shorts that suddenly hits every man rounding his 60s (visual pollution does exist, folks). Some things are truly offensive to most reasonable people. Some things are offensive only if you try really hard to find them so. And many things fall somewhere in the middle, where they wait for us to file them as Offensive or Not Offensive with nary a Mildly Offensive But Not A Big Deal in the Grand Scheme of Things pile in sight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WishboneDawn Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 No. Generally I just get upset when Christian prayers are offered and no other because there's an assumption behind that, in a predominantly Christian culture, that isn't behind the offering of prayers from other faiths and beliefs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 What's a Buddhist prayer? That was my first thought too. My ex is a Buddhist, I've been to ceremonies with him at the Buddhist center, but no one prayed. Meditated, etc, but not prayed. But then I remembered that some Buddhists are theistic, so then it made sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 I don't think Buddhists believe in a higher power...? Some do, some don't. Some pray to various gods, some don't. So you might meditate and follow the 8 fold path for big stuff like enlightenment, but pay to a local god for help dealing with your husband. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in Neverland Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 No. Generally I just get upset when Christian prayers are offered and no other because there's an assumption behind that, in a predominantly Christian culture, that isn't behind the offering of prayers from other faiths and beliefs. This is supposed to be sarcastic, right? Not serious? Just checking. It's hard to read tone on the Internet and I don't want I assume. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie12345 Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 I wouldn't be offended b/c I love Buddhism. I think it's a bit risky on the organizers' part, just b/c so many people don't know what Buddhism IS, and could very well interpret it negatively. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hikin' Mama Posted January 16, 2014 Author Share Posted January 16, 2014 It wouldn't have bothered me at all. I probably would've bowed my head a little out of respect for any Buddhists around me. Seems like a great time to practice the Golden Rule to me. I wouldn't expect a non-Christian to bow their head during a Christian prayer. When I am with my Catholic friends, I don't cross myself when a prayer is said before our meal. So while I was quiet and still during the prayer, I wasn't going to bow my head or close my eyes. I think not interrupting the prayer is respectful, but I won't pretend to participate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathryn Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 No, I wouldn't be offended. I wouldn't be offended if it was at a school board meeting or a race or whatever. I wouldn't be offended if it was Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Protestant, whatever. I wouldn't have been offended when I was atheist, though I know I rolled my eyes at some Christian prayers before events. Still, I didn't feel offended or oppressed in any way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WishboneDawn Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 This is supposed to be sarcastic, right? Not serious? Just checking. It's hard to read tone on the Internet and I don't want I assume. No I'm serious. :) I'm Christian myself but I live in secular country that places a high value on diversity. But it's still largely a nation of Christians, especially in the province I live in. If I go to a non-Christian event and only Christian prayers are offered it is often because there's an assumption that everyone there is Christian and it makes me uncomfortable. I find that when I go and prayers of other faiths are said as well it's generally because there's an acknowledgement that there may be people of different faiths or no faith present and I appreciate that. I don't think Christian prayers should not be offered and my feelings on this may be entirely subjective, being based on my experience.Hope that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 If it was not religious, what made it a Buddhist prayer? The program called it that. The program also called the Buddhist temple a "church", which I found interesting. I don't know if the people organizing it put that terminology in because it was what they were more used to, or if the Buddhist participants have made that accommodation as part of being in the United States. I found it interesting but it didn't really bother me since it was mostly a semantic thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twinmom Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Meh. People pray, I participate if I want to and don't if I don't. If it's not a Christian prayer, I don't. However, I don't care what others do as long as they don't care if I don't participate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paige Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Asking in a genuinely non-snarky way, but could someone explain to me why you would need any public prayer, Buddhist or not, before an athletic event ? It seems so, idk, non-prayerish an event. Most of the prayers I've heard before athletic events pray for the safety of the participants and thank God/Higher Power for the opportunity to have the event. It's very common. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in Neverland Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 No I'm serious. :) I'm Christian myself but I live in secular country that places a high value on diversity. But it's still largely a nation of Christians, especially in the province I live in. If I go to a non-Christian event and only Christian prayers are offered it is often because there's an assumption that everyone there is Christian and it makes me uncomfortable. I find that when I go and prayers of other faiths are said as well it's generally because there's an acknowledgement that there may be people of different faiths or no faith present and I appreciate that. I don't think Christian prayers should not be offered and my feelings on this may be entirely subjective, being based on my experience.Hope that helps. I see now. I misunderstood you. I thought you meant you were only offended by Christian prayer and not prayers by any other religion, when what you meant was you were offended if only Christian prayers were offered. Thanks for taking time to explain! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mytwomonkeys Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 It wouldn't bother me. I've been a part of several races and some pray, do the pledge of allegiance, dance to Whitney Houston, hold hands and chant - they all vary widely and weirdly. It's fine. Just let me run! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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