Question: If one has a God-centric faith, but wishes to embrace the Buddhist Pure Land teachings, is there need to convert?
Answer: While similarities between faiths must be respected, so should their differences, since they are distinct faiths in the first place. According to the Buddha’s teachings, there is no almighty creator deity for taking spiritual refuge in. For Pure Land practitioners, Āmítuófó (Amitābha Buddha) represents the highest refuge for focused mindfulness. In this sense, there is need to replace faith in the first with firm faith in the latter.
To become a Buddhist formally, there should be expression of complete acceptance of the Triple Gem (三宝), of the Buddhas (佛陀), the Buddhadharma (佛法: the Buddha’s teachings) and the Noble Saṃgha (圣僧). This can be done by participating sincerely in a Threefold Refuge ceremony (三皈依仪式), as presided by a properly ordained and trained monastic. More on the differences between the two kinds of faiths can be learnt about in the following articles.
Perspectives On Religions
[1] Difference Between Faith & Respect
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2012/09/difference-between-faith-respect
[2] Are All Religions the Same?
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2010/11/are-all-religions-the-same
[3] Some Truths Revealed On Revealed ‘Truths’
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2019/05/some-truths-revealed-on-revealed-truths
Perspectives On Pure Land
[4] How Do Pure Land & God-Centric Teachings Differ?
https://purelanders.com/2015/08/18/how-do-pure-land-god-centric-teachings-differ
[5] The Differences Between Heaven(s) & Pure Land(s)
https://purelanders.com/2011/12/15/the-differences-between-heavens-pure-lands
[6] How Is Amituofo Our Loving ‘Father’?
https://purelanders.com/2014/06/03/how-is-amituofo-our-loving-father
[7] Can God-Believers Reach Pure Land?
https://purelanders.com/2011/12/16/god-believers-reach-pure-land
[8] How To Remain Staunch Pure Land Practitioners
https://purelanders.com/2014/01/22/how-to-remain-staunch-pure-land-practitioners
Perspectives On Gods
[9] The Buddha’s Victory Over A God & Demon
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2012/03/the-buddhas-victory-over-a-god-demon
[10] The Bird That Flew Too Far
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2009/12/the-bird-that-flew-too-far
[11] Are Buddhists Atheists?
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2010/11/are-buddhists-atheists
[12] Do You Believe In The Flying Spaghetti Monster?
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2017/03/do-you-believe-in-the-flying-spaghetti-monster
[13] Are All Buddhas, Bodhisattvas & Gods The Same?
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2014/07/are-all-buddhas-bodhisattvas-gods-the-same
[14] Are Buddhas Omnipotent, Omnibenevolent & Omniscient?
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2013/11/are-buddhas-omnipotent-omnibenevolent-omniscient
Perspectives On Evil And Suffering
[15] Is There A God Who Allows Suffering?
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2016/04/is-there-a-god-who-allows-suffering
[16] How To Solve ‘The Problem Of Evil’ With Buddhism
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2021/03/how-to-solve-the-problem-of-evil-with-buddhism
[17] Are Buddhas ‘Godlike’ In Ability To Rid Our Suffering?
https://purelanders.com/2015/06/23/are-buddhas-godlike-in-ability-to-rid-our-suffering
Origin Of Universe
[18] Did The Universe Have A Creator?
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2010/12/did-the-universe-have-a-creator
[19] Does Buddhism Explain ‘Creation’?
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2014/05/does-buddhism-explain-creation
Origin Of ‘Creator’
[20] Is There An Almighty, All-Good & All-Wise Creator?
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2015/08/is-there-an-almighty-all-good-all-wise-creator
[21] How Can A ‘Creator’ Be ‘Created’?
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2018/08/how-can-a-creator-be-created
[22] Can a ‘Creator God’ be ‘Created’?
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2010/03/can-a-creator-god-be-created
[23] Where Did God Come From?
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2017/02/where-did-god-come-from
[24] Brief Remarks On A Brief Answer To A Big Question
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2019/02/brief-remarks-on-a-brief-answer-to-a-big-question
[25] How AI Tried To Vindicate The Creator Idea (Without Much Conviction)
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2023/05/how-ai-tried-to-vindicate-the-creator-idea-without-much-conviction
Origin Of Humans
[26] How Were The ‘First’ Humans ‘Created’? (Part 1: Sutta Summary)
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2010/03/how-were-the-%e2%80%98first%e2%80%99-humans-%e2%80%98created%e2%80%99-part-1-sutta-summary
[27] How Were The ‘First’ Humans ‘Created’? (Part 1: Sutta Summary)
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2010/03/how-were-the-%e2%80%98first%e2%80%99-humans-%e2%80%98created%e2%80%99-part-2-sutta-analysis
Death, Dying And Rebirth
[28] Can Faith In Any Deity Help The Dying?
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2018/08/can-faith-in-any-deity-help-the-dying
[29] How To Reply To Claims That I Am Hellbound?
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2017/12/how-to-reply-to-claims-that-i-am-hellbound
[30] Can Nianfo Be Practised In Vain?
https://purelanders.com/2016/12/28/can-nianfo-be-practised-in-vain
[31] Is Pure Land Deathbed Guidance Same As Bedside Conversion?
https://purelanders.com/2017/01/04/is-pure-land-deathbed-guidance-same-as-christian-bedside-conversion
Excerpts
[32] Why There Is No Creator
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2011/08/why-there-is-no-creator
[33] Santideva Bodhisattva Explains Why There Is No God
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2016/02/santideva-bodhisattva-explains-why-there-is-no-god
[34] The Buddha’s Perspectives On ‘God’
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2012/07/the-buddhas-perspectives-on-god
