Leading Bi-Cultural Lives | Asian American Poll

LEADING BI-CULTURAL LIVES
(Updated Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:24:31 PM to reflect the 100 most recent valid responses.)

Is it possible to embrace both American and Asian cultures and find social acceptance with both Americanized and non-Americanized groups of friends?
Yes | 77%
No | 23%

Which of the following factors is most important in facilitating a successful bi-cultural life?
Familitarity with both cultures | 32%
Family upbringing | 28%
Fluency in both languages | 16%
Security in one's identity | 24%

Which of the following factors most discourages bi-cultural lives for U.S.-raised Asian Americans?
Inability to speak Asian languages | 28%
Outmarriage to non-Asians | 14%
Fear of seeming too Asian | 30%
Concern for kids' image with peers | 28%

Which segment of the Asian American population currently has the greatest positive impact on American society?
American-Born | 56%
Foreign-born, American-educated | 44%

This poll is closed to new input.
Comments posted during the past year remain available for browsing.

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WHAT YOU SAY

[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]

to curious girl

Jeez, you really load your question, don't you? The subject is so vast, how could I possibly even go into it and do it any justice on GS? I will try to boil it down (what little I've learned thus far) as much as I can, but for sure, I will miss 99% of what's the essence of the teachings, but I will try my best. OK, here goes.

The major difference between Christianity and Buddhism (at least from my very limited and ignorant point of view) is that Christianity is an external religion and Budhism is an internal one. (This is complicated so I'll get into it in more detail later if you really want to dissect it down to its basic layers).

Like Christianity, Buddhism has many layers for all the different levels of humanity. If you are a mental peasant, you follow level #1, which is the same for both Christianity and Buddhism. It's the basic building blocks of all worthwhile religions of the world, sort of like your Basic Humanity 101. Thou shalt not kill, not steal, not commit adultery, etc.

Once you get past the Freshman levels of not hurting others, you go on to the more advanced Sophomore layers of not hurting yourself. This is more complicated than it sounds, because we all tend to hurt ourselves in so many ways that we don't even realize. (more on this later, if you are even interested).

The next set of layers, your Junior year, has to do with helping others, which is where Buddhism and Christianity begin to divide in methodology and ideology.
And, if you haven't guessed by now, the final set of layers is the Senior one, how to help yourself, which is where the true difference between the two religions begin. I say 'begin' because I don't know where it ends, if it ends, or if it actually merges at the final outcome. I don't even know of anyone personally who's even at this level (other than Buddha and Jesus Christ, and I don't know them personally, so...here's where I'm going to have to defer to others, more advanced to give input). Again, each of these layers require decades and decades (dare I say, lifetimes and lifetimes?) of learning and practicing to master and advance.

However, this is Best and Worst of Dating Asians, and I don't think the Editors are going to allow me to rant and rave and preach a long-assed boring post about world religions. I could get into it in more depth and detail if we go somewhere safe, (where the Editors can't buzz us out) like Leading Bi-cultural Lives or something. We'd be more in sync with the board topic.

MLK Wednesday, July 10, 2002 at 11:01:37 (PDT)

[This and the previous post have been moved from Best & Worst of Dating Asian Americans. --Ed]

MLK,

Unfortunately there is no forum on here about religion, so I"ll ask here- what would you say are the major differences between Buddhism and Christianity? I have read a little about Buddhism (Buddha's life, 4 noble truths), but I wouldn't consider myself very knowledgeable. My b/f considers himself a non-practicing Buddhist, meaning that he believes in it but doesn't go to temple, though his Mom does, and she also prays (chants?) daily.

Thanks.
curious girl Wednesday, July 10, 2002 at 08:05:19 (PDT)

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