Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Keller, TX - Home of the largest Buddha in America

Driving down a rough and dusty Northern Texas road one would not expect to find tucked away at the end of a side road an ornate and ancient looking Chinese entrance to a Buddhist temple. Yet, that is you may find if you take the correct dirt road. In fact, another example of everything in Texas being bigger is exemplified within the Buddhist temple located in Keller, Texas.

Within the walls you’ll find worn out homes with no signs of life within the dusty windows. Two dogs lie resting in the shade from the Texas heat - the only signs of breath. Tucked behind trees are shrines and statues honoring the leaders of the Buddhist faith. Walking down the concrete path to the Buddhist temple that contains the largest statue of Buddha in the United States the details and dragon statues take shape with each step - adding to the mystery of what was inside. Some of the paint on the dragons has worn, and the butterflies hovering around our heads were extra large - everything is bigger in Texas. Yet, still, no sign of monk life.

Steve, a friend, notices down the opposite direction of the path we took to the temple, two kids on bikes. Mary (my cousin through marriage), Steve and I rushed down to try and find someone who may speak English regarding setting up a dialogue with a Buddhist monk for The Way of the Master Radio show - we did not expect to find smiling children speaking fluent English.
At the opposite end of the walkway sits an old gymnasium with a stage on one end of the hall. Fold-up tables contain the students school work, while at the opposite end of the gymnasium is an old dining room set with a dark oak table with six chairs - ornate decor, of course.

The children are eager to speak to us, and smile during our greeting, as if they had not seen visitors for some time. We ask to see inside the temple as well as have a conversation with a monk. They explain that the monks work at night and go to sleep at noon, so all the monks were now asleep, and despite my attempts to have the children wake one of them - it didn't happen. However, they were more than happy to show us the temple and the largest Buddhist statue in the United States - we gladly accepted their invitation.

At the door of the Temple we took our shoes off, and after a few rounds of photographs with the children we were ready to see inside. As the door was opened by one of the ten year old children, the first thing I expect to see was the golden Buddha towering to the ceiling of the 20 plus foot ceiling, however, grabbing all of our attention through the doorway was the life-like figure of a Buddhist monk sitting cross legged with a jolly smile flowing from his wax face. The dark spiritual nature of the room hit us like a damp mist as we enter the temple, and the 20 to 25 foot golden Buddha smiled at us.

The kids look at our faces to read our expressions and we could tell they revered the temple, yet feared it as well. Which is perfectly understandable; the wax figure of the founder of the temple is so life-like, it stood far more impressive than the largest Buddha statue in the U.S.


The children explain that the spirits come to life at midnight, and that the lamp next to the human figure comes on by itself around midnight - along with his levitation above the floor of the temple. I stay to ask the children about their beliefs and the possibility of an interview on Thursday through who would be the proposed interpreter - a 13 year old child. They agree to the interview and promise to check on its arrangements, while we are lead back to their gymnasium classroom where they entertained us with disco lights and rap music - the perfect accompaniment to their break dancing and gymnastics.

The children were absolutely sweet and hospitable. Yet, there was a sad reality to the existence in the Buddhist compound. The place didn't represent truth and Buddhism doesn't solve life's most precious questions "Why do we die?", and "Where do I go when I die?", plus "How can I be forgiven for all my sin?" etc, while the illusion of a pious simple life blinded them to their sin against the God of Israel. I was very grateful to spend a day at with the young children. They gladly heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how they could be forgiven for sinning against a Holy God. A few days later, I went back and brought them all candy. The children ran to my car with giant smiles.

51 comments:

To question said...

What gives you the right to say they are going to hell and this way of life in the compound is Demonic?

Do you have undisputable proof your religion is the absolute way? Have you read Buddhist Texts?

This believe and viewpoint is the source of todays problems and tension in the Middle east. Everyone thinks their way is the right way and all others are condemned.

By the way, I am a son of a Jew, raised Christian, married a Muslim, and am converting to Buddhism. Crazy, but True.

Fish With Trish said...

First, thank you for posting a comment. My ultimate reference point is the Bible. It says in John 14: 6 (the words of Jesus) "I am the way and the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but by me." I don't think it can get any more clear than that.

My views are based on the Bible alone (Sola Scriptura). So if you have an issue with the words of Jesus than the burden of proof is on you to provide undisputable evidence that the bible is in error and that Jesus was wrong when he said that he was the only way. If you would like to submit that information and that undisputable proof, I'd be more than willing to read what you can present. Until then, you are making huge claims, so it would be great to see them backed up with some evidence.

While you're acquiring that proof, please answer this question for me, "According to your buddhist beliefs, how do you believe a just God will punish the sin of each person, explain how a person will be forgiven for violating the 10 commandments? Think about it. Have you kept all 10?

Trisha said...

You are in hell when you have anger or negativity in your heart. Jesus taught us not to judge. I agree less judgement and more respect!

Trisha

Fish With Trish said...

Hi Trisha,

Thank you for posting a comment on my blog can you show me biblically where I had said anything wrong?

Trish

user01 said...

I can not believe what I am seeing right now. I grew up in that neighborhood and I am really upset that someone like you would walk into that temple just to say and do what you have done. Old houses with dusty windows? Most of the houses around there were built in the late 80,s and 90's and are brick homes, some are being built brand new today. The children around there are as normal as any other children in America except for the fact that they are bilingual. We speak english, attend school, and work, we have been exposed to the world. You make it seem as if we are tucked so far away in the woods, the neighborhood is in Keller, TX one of the fastest growing suburbs of Ft. Worth. We welcome you as a visitor and this is the thanks that we get? Do you see people criticizing you for your beliefs? Ignorance! Let people live their lives and be happy.

veg9080 said...

I've never read anything so horrble. As I was reading your blog, I couldn't help but to snicker at your ignorance. I grew up attending this temple and it is anything but "tucked away". Drive five minutes north and you'll see a booming affluent population. Five minutes west and you'll see that this temple is not secluded in it's own little world. Claiming that there are no signs of life in the neighborhood surrounding the temple is a joke. Take a look around at all the new cars in the neighborhood, those belong to somebody or maybe you didn't notice the mansion down the street. And then you go on to assume that the children probably won't fluently speak english. They attend Keller I.S.D., a District 5a. One of the best districts in Texas. Do your research before you go off in this crazy treasure hunt of yours. Oh, and those "children haven't had visitors in a long time" What is wrong with you? Don't go into our temple and judge us on how we pray. I spent my whole life learning about is the Christian faith in school and in college and have never tried to push my beliefs down anybody's throat like you. Take some time out of your life to learn what our beliefs are before you condemn us. You are nothing but disrespect. The temple welcomes visitors with open arms however you are not welcome. Please realize that you are promoting hate and not Christianity.

Fish With Trish said...

Hi Veg9080,

Thank you for commenting and taking the time to read my blog entry.

Firstly, I would like to say that my definition of "tucked away" and your definition is obviously different. The temple is located in a location that is surrounded by suburban homes, rather than say off a main drag or off a small street that one may turn into - say, in comparison to where a McDonald's would be located, or a Kinko’s, etc...the temple is located 5 miles from an affluent population, as you said, and there are homes surrounding it. Being surrounded by homes, and "5 miles west" of an affluent population, as you put it, is, to this born and raised Southern California girl, "tucked away"...obviously we have different up-bringings and have different experiences regarding something being easily assessable, and something being tucked away.

Secondly, I stated that the temple was secluded and in its own little world because it is secluded. There is fence and walls surrounding it, keeping itself separate from the homes next to it. When I entered, it took 10 minutes to find any signs of human life, only three dogs that followed us around were signs of any life. To me, being fenced in, and living differently in culture than those who live right outside your walls is a form of, "its own little world". Again, we simply have a different interpretation of what something or someone living in their own world is, but I certainly don't see how these comments of mine would cause you to say that my comments on my visit to the temple were "horrible"...then again, maybe you and I have different experiences with horror, and thus, a different interpretation of what is horrible.

Thirdly, you stated the children attend a school in the Keller district, when I asked them where they attend school, they stated that they attend school at the temple. I stated that I didn't think they spoke fluent English because the monks did not speak English, or at least that is what the children told me, and therefore, with no adult English speakers, or few if that, they probably wouldn't be surrounded with the type of English involvement that is necessary to speak fluent English, not to mention, these kids were no older than 12, some only 5 or 6 years old...I don't know any children under 12 who speak fluent English...so I stand on what I say, I still do not think any of these children, speak fluent English. But maybe my experience with children and their language skills are different than your experience with children and their command of the English language.

Fourthly, you attacked my view on how you pray, and my beliefs regarding your beliefs, yet, you just did the same thing to me regarding my beliefs on your beliefs...am I not allowed to have my beliefs and opinions? And do I not have the right to express them? You expressed your beliefs and opinions on my blog. Are you free to express yourself when you think someone is incorrect, but I don't have that right? I do not mean disrespect. However, please understand...I am a Christian. Which means I am a follower of Christ. I am commanded to preach the gospel, and I am commanded to speak for the truth of the Word of God, and I am commanded to love. Christ taught that He was the only way to eternal life, and without Him (Christ), there is no way to avoid hell, (a place of eternal torment). These children, and these monks, are not praying to the God of the Bible. They are not coming to God by way of Jesus through repentance of their sins and faith in Christ. Therefore, they are on their way to hell...would it be more loving for me to not warn them of the wrath to come, or is it more loving of me to warn them of the wrath to come, just as Jesus said we should do in his great commission to preach the gospel to the ends of the earth. I am deeply sorry, if you feel it is better to respect ones belief system, even if it will send them to eternal punishment, than to warn them of the wrath to come, and how to avoid the wrath of God...but I guess that is just another area where our experiences teach us differently.

And lastly, if you'd like to discuss this even further, why not express your views of God and the afterlife during my radio segment? I have a weekly radio segment and I'd be happy to put you on air with my friend Todd Friel to talk about these things in greater detail...what do you think??

loveanonymous07 said...
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Fish With Trish said...

anonymous, would you like to be on the radio and voice your opinions about your faith? It sounds like you have a lot to say and I'd love to give you the opportunity to express your thoughts about God, death and the afterlife on the radio.

I have a segment on a radio program called "Wretched Radio" and since it sounds like you live locally...what do you think? If you're up to it we can put you on air this Thursday in the afternoon. It's totally up to you...

Thoughts...

R9 said...

Trish has the right to say that they will go to hell if they do not repent of their sin, and trust in Jesus Christ because she have freedom of speech; the same freedom you exercise when you tell her that her religion is not the only way, and that you believe they are not going to hell...it could easily be said to you, "What gives you the right to say that they are not going to hell, and that Jesus is not the only way?"

See how you are insinuating that she has no right to state what she believe, but that you do? Do you really think that is open-minded of you?

loveanonymous07 said...
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Fish With Trish said...

anonymous, thanks for your willingness to be on the program. How does the middle to late part of January work for you?

Please email me at email [at] fishwithtrish.com and put in the subject line "Want to be on Wretched".

Then we'll go from there and lock in a date and a location where to meet. Thanks again.

Unknown said...

Surprisingly today I found myself driving back from a hike in Keller, Texas, and on my route home I viewed the majestic yet weird site which encompasses the surreal construct that constitutes the Buddha complex spoken of in this blog.

Me and my spouse were perplexed and took the time to drive down the pock marked road which was lined with trailers and rag tag homes, mixed in with regular brick abodes, which led up to the bright and colorful architecture constituting the Buddha compound.

In the middle of the day we found ourselves askance as to why this place seemed to reek of a ghost town. Jim Jones and his cult came to mind. LOL. We drove in a bit further to admire the nice buildings, yet at the same time suffered trepidation at this unseemingly spot for ground zero of anything worthy.

Point given, this is a curious place. It begs to be investigated. I personally smirked at what or why this environ came to be. I still have lots of questions left to be answered.

Weird is an understatement. However, I have an open mind and am not judgemental. Anyone residing at this place is welcome to contact me and I will gladly come out for an interview so you can readily explain your viewpoints and world outlook to myself.

It seems as if you have brought about some very positive actions with your bright and colorful buildings which brought a ready smile to me and my wife's face.

I would simply like to know more about you and your kind in this modern age. If you have positivity to offer I welcome your dialogue.

You must admit even to yourselves, it's weird to the unitiated to stumble across such a rainbow in the dark. Peace out, Shalom! Ken

Meandering Mandler said...

the bible is a poetic guide just like any spiritual text. to take it literally is to miss the point. but, this is ok if this is where you are on your spiritual path, just know that there is more to learn. be well.

Unknown said...

Something that Buddhism and Christianity have in common: Matthew 7:1-3

Clint said...

The reason why there were hurt feelings for Trish's comments about religion and those who have different faiths than Christianity is that she said they will go to Hell and a couple other degrading comments. It is difficult Trish to have such a strong faith in Christianity and not feel like you have to let everyone know how they can get to Heaven but saying people will be condemned to an internally horrible place is the worst thing you can say to someone (in my opinion). Being so blunt about the condemning factor will bring people into the Christian faith with fear and not with Love. Life is hard enough for us humans, please be careful about expressing this part of Christianity so harsh. I know you may feel you are helping people know the Truth but many people have their faiths and telling them they will go to hell because they do not believe Christ is the only way to Heaven will not help people come to Christ in a positive way but a more fearful way. I hope these comments you wrote about these Human Beings that live at this Buddha Temple was something you don't do often. This life is what we know we have for now and let God show us what truly is. Let us try and allow humans to live their lives the best way they know how. We do have a right in this country for freedom of speech but words do hurt; as you have read the various comments expressed on this website. There is such a thing called verbal abuse and telling people they are going to hell due to how they believe I feel constitutes verbal abuse. Again, we do have various belief systems around the world but the one thing that hurts Christianity the most is those who tell others that for eternity they will go to hell if they do not believe Christ is their personal lord and savior. I love Christ and believe in him more and more as I age but I pray/ask almost daily that God will not condemn those who do not believe in Christ the way the Bible says we need to as this World is so diverse and there are many beautiful loving people who are not Christians and I hope we all will be with God, even Atheists. Humans are ignorant of many things, I hope that God will understand this and not condemn any human for not believing Christ is the savior but when we pass away God will help us understand the Truth and be the loving God we all have in Us, and around Us, even if we do not believe or understand...:)

morkie said...

I got bored read all of this however you are ignorant and rude! I stumbled across this today and could not believe what I read. I live in Keller. I have a PH.D. in religion. Since you want everything proven and seem to be a Christian expert... do you know how, why and when Christianity begain? You referenced the 10 commandments, do you mean the ones that Moses smoked some peyote went up on the hill and came down after God spoke to him giving him these commandments? Are you also referring to the Bible that King Constantine put together from mostly fables, mythology, and journals and was voted upon and edited by his council of what to put in, take out and add in order to control the people with this new religion? I suggest you study the history of your religion before you preach it and learn more about others before you damn them. Buddhism by the way is not a religion. Buddha was not a god and did not claim to be. Their belief sure does not damn them to hell. Buddha has nothing to do with a belief or non belief of God. You are just ignorant and I would suggest if you are going to have a website that people read you should know your facts before you speak so you don't look so stupid.

morkie said...

Oh and btw they would not be offended by your words that they are going to hell. Heaven and hell are here on earth. You make your own path to each every day through your mind set. Given your mind set is to negative, unhappy thoughts and ugly words regarding others, you show no compassion as do the Buddhist, you must already be in hell. May you find spirital guidance and enlightenment if not in this lifetime maybe the next.

Fish With Trish said...

Dear Morkie,

Since I have revealed the Bible as my source of belief may you kindly tell me what your source of belief is for the things you are saying - or, are you the author of all the views you are expressing?

For instance, what source do you have that Moses was on peyote, that heaven and hell is on earth, and that something cannot be true if it sounds negative?

Looking forward to hearing your response.

Kindly,

Trish

morkie said...

Again, I am a scholar of religion. I have studied most all religion. When I say studied I mean I have studied the Bible, its origin and the history of Christianity, and many other religions. I am not of just one belief. The fact that people need to believe is interesting within its self. I stated a Buddhist belief since that is what you were referring to. Metaphysics, Buddhist and others believe heaven and hell exist here on earth within ones self. One struggles daily with their own inner happiness and demons. However, again if you are going to use a medium such as this to preach your beliefs you should study them. Not just the Bible and what is taught to you in church and your pastor’s interpretation of what it means, but where in fact it came from. A few good books for you, A History of the World's Religions by Noss, 101 Myths of the Bible How Ancient Scribes Invented Biblical History by Gary Greenberg, The Divine Deception The Church, the Shroud and the Creation of the Holy Fraud by Keith Laidler, A History of Christianity by Paul Johnson and The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Buddhism by Gary Gach. Heck even through in some fiction and read the Da Vinci Code, had some good facts. Or read or go see Angles & Demons at a theater near you, fun but some truth too. You need to especially learn the history of your own religion, but knowing what Buddhism is before condemning it would be good also. As stated before Buddhism is not a religion. It is a way of life. A happy way of life full of compassion for all living things. There are many Christian Buddhist. Religion is the number one cause of blood shed in the history of the world. We are at war currently due to people’s ignorance of their own and others religions. However, the Buddhist life style that you condemn is one of the few that truly lives in peace, harmony and happiness with all living things no matter what they believe. Unlike Christianity they do not feel the need to push their beliefs on others they simply wish them happiness. The reason Christianity feels the need to push it on others comes again from its history. This religion was formed around 300 AD as a means to control. To this day it in many ways it is still used in the same ways. Although the Bible has been edited a million times over and translated so many times no one could ever possibly decipher or know the original text, it is still used as you have in this forum as the all powerful truth. Control. You must believe or you will go to hell! Fear is a powerful thing isn’t it? There must be hell on earth, it would be hell to live your life in fear of breaking the all mighty 10 commandments. We all do daily. Man we probably spend a large part of our days asking for forgiveness of our sins. A true Buddhist has more free time because with the life they lead they have a lot less to forgive. As well as not having to live in fear of going to hell. Shoooo what a relief! Everything living reincarnates, flowers, grass, an apple seed makes and apple tree, a watermelon seed makes a watermelon, gee everyday we wake to a new day because it reincarnated as do the seasons, etc… If every living thing reincarnates, why would we be the exception? I think you would be shocked at who I am, I’m sure not at all what you are envisioning. However, I am not a Buddhist, nor am I a Christian although I find them both fascinating subjects that is why I study them. I would encourage you to do the same before spouting off about something you know nothing about. Again, I find your forum ignorant however was some entertainment for the evening.

Fish With Trish said...

Dear Morkie,

Did you answer this? ...

"Since I have revealed the Bible as my source of belief may you kindly tell me what your source of belief is for the things you are saying - or, are you the author of all the views you are expressing?"

In other words, what is your ultimate reference point for knowledge. Mine is the Bible. What is yours? How do you account for right and wrong?

Did you answer this:

"For instance, what source do you have that Moses was on peyote, that heaven and hell is on earth, and that something cannot be true if it sounds negative?"

You said, "There are many Christian Buddhist." Not true. There is no such thing. An individual can call themselves a "Christian Buddhist" but the two terms are contrary to each other. You can't be a Christian and call yourself a Buddhist.

"However, the Buddhist life style that you condemn is one of the few that truly lives in peace, harmony and happiness with all living things no matter what they believe."

I don't condemn them. Jesus does. Remember His words, "I am the way the truth and the life...no one comes to the Father but by me."

"Although the Bible has been edited a million times over and translated so many times no one could ever possibly decipher or know the original text"

Where are you getting this information from? Please explain.

"Everything living reincarnates, flowers, grass, an apple seed makes and apple tree, a watermelon seed makes a watermelon, gee everyday we wake to a new day because it reincarnated as do the seasons, etc… If every living thing reincarnates, why would we be the exception? "

The bible says, "it is once for man to die and then the judgment" Hebrews 9:27. This is proof that Buddhism and Christianity are not compatable.

Have you ever thought about death? Where will you go after you die? Where will you spend all eternity when your life here on earth is over?

Ask yourself this: Have you put God first in your life? Or have you created a false god to suit yourself; a god you feel comfortable with? If God judges you by that standard will you be innocent or guilty on the Day of Judgment? If you're honest and listen to your conscience you know that you will be guilty, and end up in Hell.

The reality of that should strike terror in your heart!

But WAIT!

LISTEN!

There's Good News!

God Himself made a way for sinners to be forgiven...Listen to this...

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16). Jesus Christ was fully God and fully man and was without sin. He suffered and died on the cross and then He rose from the dead, defeating death. You broke the Law and Jesus paid the fine with His precious blood for sinners! Today, here's what to do, confess your sins to God, repent (turn) from your sins, put your trust in Jesus to save you from eternal damnation, and you will pass from death to life. Only through Christ can God forgive you and grant you the gift of everlasting life.

Kindly,

Trish

AJ gangster for life said...

i love this temple it has one of the greates arts and now they are going to buile a pugota i bet it will be buttiful lol ahhahahaha

AJ gangster for life said...

i love the this temple it has butidul arts and lol ahhaha nah i do burnout there all the time smokes the hole place up lol

AJ gangster for life said...

cool i love this place i do burnouts all the time there smoke everwhere

AJ gangster for life said...

cooll

AJ gangster for life said...

i love this places.

loveanonymous07 said...
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loveanonymous07 said...
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loveanonymous07 said...
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Fish With Trish said...

loveanonymous07, thanks for the invite!

"I would say, you need to be more open to other religions, get a more in depth understanding, and stop being so narrow minded."

Are you being narrow minded by saying that I should "stop being narrow minded"?

Why aren't you open minded to the narrow minded view?

Fish With Trish said...

"You are in hell when you have anger or negativity in your heart. Jesus taught us not to judge. I agree less judgement and more respect!"

Thank you for posting a comment on my blog a while ago. I'm still waiting for you to show me biblically where I had said anything wrong. Thanks.

loveanonymous07 said...
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loveanonymous07 said...
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Fish With Trish said...

loveanonymous07, I appreciate your comments on my post. I would disagree with you that you are not being narrow minded in telling me to be "open" to other religions. The narrowness of a worldview is not the problem - it is whether or not a worldview is worthy of such narrow or open views. I judge Buddhism to be inconsistent with reality. God has revealed Himself in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments and thus it is not a guessing game as to what God/Jesus would say about anything, God has already spoken. Scripture teaches that there is only one true and living God existing eternally in three Persons, The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God the Father sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for sinners so that if we repent of our sins He will forgive us and grant us eternal life.

God does not have split personalities, there is only one God and one revelation of God. Buddhism and Christianity are incompatible - Jesus said, "I am the truth, the way, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14.6). Jesus made many other such exclusive claims that set Him apart as the only way to God. There is no other true spirituality apart from Christ, He is the only way that is His claim not mine. The Buddhist is in the same predicament as everyone else, what we decide about Jesus Christ will reveal whether or not we believe these claims and if we do not then Christ is either a liar, a lunatic, or the only other option is that He is who He said He was, the Lord.

May God open your eyes to the truth of Jesus Christ the Son of God.

loveanonymous07 said...
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loveanonymous07 said...
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Tyler said...

Trish,

Everyone has the right to their own religion. So instead of condeming you as others have I will say that I admire your devotion to your faith. I used to have the same devotion to Christianity. Yet blind faith in the Christian Bible scriptures was not enough for me. So I started researching how the Bible was constructed. This is a very intersting topic that has a lot of information and explains why there is a old and new testement and why there are so many different versions and why the catholic bible has more books than the protestant and why there is a gnostic bible. But this is a journey that you will have to take on your own because there is too much information to explain in a blogg. Then I researched how the Christian religion has used the teachings in the Bible. There has been been a lot of evil committed by zealots in the past; the inquisition, the crusades, the witch trials ect. Personally I was no longer able to encourage others to follow the Christian faith as I had before with zealot devotion and conviction. Now I full heartedly belive that every religion is correct to those who are devoted to them as long as it encourages growth and peace and goodwill to all creatures of this world. I no longer preach christianity but I encourage everyone to take their own personal spiritual journey. On my spiritual path I discovered the beauty of many different religions and the good that they can bring about. My view of God is like looking at a beautiful faceted gem - that each religion looks at the same gem but focuses on different facets- such as Jesus, God , Allah, Morgan, Chutchulu, Innana, Juptier, Aphrodite are all aspects of the same creator of the universe. One of my favorite sayings is that our right to swing our fists ends where the other's nose begins - implying the golden rule of do unto others as you would have done unto you and donot do to others as you would not like have done to you. Another is do whatever you will as long as it harms none. I am a devoted Druid, a Celtic religion that predates christianity and is the support to many of Christianity's traditional practices (such as the christmas tree and easter eggs)- it is amazing as to how much paganism is incorporated in the Christian religion. I understand your devotion and need to justify any response to this comment with scripture from the Bible and the desire to have defence made back from Bible, yet each person's faith must come from within based on their own expirences and should always be expressed with respect to others and others' beliefs. Instead of becoming irate and saying mean things I would simply encourage that comments that refer to condeming others to hell out-right in a zealot manner you take a more comforting approach and promote beauty and peace and allow others to come to you with questions about hell and the afterlife, and when you explain your beliefs to others explain approach it as what you believe to be true not as a law or mandatory path that they must conform to. I hope that this has been helpful. Blessed Be.

Tyler said...

Trish,

Everyone has the right to their own religion. So instead of condeming you as others have I will say that I admire your devotion to your faith. I used to have the same devotion to Christianity. Yet blind faith in the Christian Bible scriptures was not enough for me. So I started researching how the Bible was constructed. This is a very intersting topic that has a lot of information and explains why there is a old and new testement and why there are so many different versions and why the catholic bible has more books than the protestant and why there is a gnostic bible. But this is a journey that you will have to take on your own because there is too much information to explain in a blogg. Then I researched how the Christian religion has used the teachings in the Bible. There has been been a lot of evil committed by zealots in the past; the inquisition, the crusades, the witch trials ect. Personally I was no longer able to encourage others to follow the Christian faith as I had before with zealot devotion and conviction. Now I full heartedly belive that every religion is correct to those who are devoted to them as long as it encourages growth and peace and goodwill to all creatures of this world. I no longer preach christianity but I encourage everyone to take their own personal spiritual journey. On my spiritual path I discovered the beauty of many different religions and the good that they can bring about. My view of God is like looking at a beautiful faceted gem - that each religion looks at the same gem but focuses on different facets- such as Jesus, God , Allah, Morgan, Chutchulu, Innana, Juptier, Aphrodite are all aspects of the same creator of the universe. One of my favorite sayings is that our right to swing our fists ends where the other's nose begins - implying the golden rule of do unto others as you would have done unto you and donot do to others as you would not like have done to you. Another is do whatever you will as long as it harms none. I am a devoted Druid, a Celtic religion that predates christianity and is the support to many of Christianity's traditional practices (such as the christmas tree and easter eggs)- it is amazing as to how much paganism is incorporated in the Christian religion. I understand your devotion and need to justify any response to this comment with scripture from the Bible and the desire to have defence made back from Bible, yet each person's faith must come from within based on their own expirences and should always be expressed with respect to others and others' beliefs. Instead of becoming irate and saying mean things I would simply encourage that comments that refer to condeming others to hell out-right in a zealot manner you take a more comforting approach and promote beauty and peace and allow others to come to you with questions about hell and the afterlife, and when you explain your beliefs to others explain approach it as what you believe to be true not as a law or mandatory path that they must conform to. I hope that this has been helpful. Blessed Be.

Fish With Trish said...

anonymous, where did all your comments go??

steves said...

I am sorry for such a late posting. It appears that this has been up for quite some time. I just wanted to say that Tyler's posting is truly one of the most noble and accurate responses that I have ever seen. I too came to those conclusions after researching the biblical origins. Also, my wife and I are friends with a doctor who owns an 8,000 square foot home built 10 years ago in that Laotian (not chinese)temple complex. I also find it interesting that "Trish" has not responded to that posting as she has to all the others. The best thing anyone can do, as Tyler posted, is research all spiritual paths, find their origins and the message, and decide for yourself.

steves said...

I know, I know. Enough is enough. I scanned through earlier and missed what Morkie put in. That was more like something I would post. Full of facts and references that were ignored by Trish. Still quoting scripture even though Morkie listed a couple of great sources for why quoting scripture is as factual as quoting the teachings of Yoda.

Fish With Trish said...

Chat, Roy, Donnie,

Thanks for talking with me tonight at Southlake. If you guys would ever like to meet again please shoot me a message or an email [at] fishwithtrish.com


Trish

biblefever said...

since 99% of comments are about how ignorant your opinion is, i didn't even bother to read what you wrote because i am christian and i don't channel hate and anger towards others simply because i have different beliefs. it is a shame on selfish people like you who manipulate and twist the facts from the bible for your own personal use.

nonetheless, nice photos! they're cute:) also as of 2011 this whatever buddha statue you are talking about is not the largest in america. the one in new york is.

Fish With Trish said...

Bible Fever, thank you for your comments. Finish this sentence for me, "If someone dies without Christ they go to..."

Taylor Short said...

If there were a hell, I'd rather go there than be in "heaven" with sad, delusional Christians like you.

dharma fall said...

the new Biggest Buddha statue is in mims Florida

dharma fall said...

the new Biggest Buddha statue in America is in mims Florida

dharma fall said...

the new Biggest Buddha statue is in mims Florida

dharma fall said...

the new Biggest Buddha statue is in mims Florida

dharma fall said...

the new Biggest Buddha statue is in mims Florida

Unknown said...

One of our first experiences in NTX was this temple. Along with many other reasons, seeing this example of diversity and inclusion of a beautiful temple hidden in a neighborhood within what non-Texans think of as the Bible Belt showed my wife and me that our children could grow up in an area that accepted various cultures and beliefs.

I was excited to find an article that highlighted this amazing place. However, some small details along with your closing made me sad and frustrated. I find many benefits from different religions (including Buddhism and Christianity). I respect freedom of speech and belief. However, I don't respect judgment, disrespect, and hypocritical actions taken by people that appear to think of themselves as better than others. How would you feel if I came to your church and marveled at it's beauty, then asked to speak with you all (within your place of worship) about important items that I felt your religion left out because I felt that you were missing important parts that could prevent damnation? See, when you knock on someone's door and offer to share your beliefs, you do what feels right to you-and respect when they say no thank you. However, when you enter someone's holy land and try to wake people up, then befriend children in order to slide your faith into how they live-it's disrespectful and cowardly. Just because you don't show your disapproval and judgement, your thoughts themselves do not represent what Jesus would want of you-as a follower-not a judge...