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Buddhism is growing quietly but rapidly in New Zealand.According to the latest census 52,394 people identified themselves as Buddhist,an increase of nearly 11,000 since 2001,which is small compared with the 2 million-strong Christian population.Deducting the 37,590 Buddhists who emigrated mainly from Asia, however,that leaves nearly 15,000 converts to Buddhism, The New Zealand Herald reported Saturday.Buddhism is the largest religion in New Zeland apart from Christianity and Hinduism (nearly 64,000),outsizing other religions that attract more media attention like Islam (approximately 36,000),Brethren(18,000)and Scientology(357).When the Dalai Lama made his fourth visit to New Zealand last month,people packed arenas in Auckland and Wellington to hear him speak.New Zealand also runs the gamut of Buddhist expressions,from monks living in a secluded forest valley in Wellington,to Zen adherents contemplating koans to ordinary people taking up meditation and seeking instruction from Tibetan lamas.There are small nunneries that are indistinguishable in style and substance from those in Asia,but also groups like Friends of the Western Buddhist Order who attempt to modernize Buddhism.Auckland boasts the country's largest Buddhist temple that serves thousands of attendees.Hugh Kemp,a Victoria University student writing his PhD thesis on Buddhism in New Zealand,crossed the country interviewing Buddhists to find out why it appeals to them.He said converts are largely baby-boomers,many of whom have a "cut and paste" approach to its teachings.There are,for example,Jewish and Catholics who see Buddhism adding to their faith,not contradicting it."Converts especially use meditation as a tool to cope with the crazy mixed-up world we live in.A lot of people also told me that they find that it gives them an opportunity to take responsibility for their own spiritual development,unlike some other religions-and they also like the fact there is no over-arching hierarchy,"he told the Herald. PS:These new "converts" aledge that now they have the "opportunity to take responsability for their own spiritual development,unlike other religions"This is kind of funny.It's like saying that now they are buddhists they are taking responsability for their own spiritual development?so how was it before?To me,being a christian is beign responsible for my spiritual growth,and that daily.The other thing they say that there are no "over-arching hierarchy"...I think it's all excuses.It's a FACT that people will go where they "feel good"...where they can "achieve by themselves" some sort of salvation.Works.We are all sinners an are destitute from the glory of God.No meditation,or incense or mantras can help us attain salvation.It's ONLY thru JesusChrist.Sad part is that for everybody there is the same end:either to eternal death or eternal life.Whether they believe it or not.
As in the days of Noah....
