So, Michael Jackson's brother, Jermaine Jackson is a Muslim. The Jacksons are followers of Jehovah's Witness but Jermaine converted after a trip to Bahrain when he became impressed by the local children's devotion to their religion. During the recent Eid al- Adha, I came across a spate of articles featuring Chinese converts; Chinese originally of Taoist, Buddhist or Christian faith converting to Islam. These converts are referred to as reverts, a rather new term perhaps; but it was interesting to note the reasons cited for changing their religions. It was either they were attracted by the practice of fasting during Ramadan or with solat - the way the Muslims pray; and the Chinese Christian was convinced that Jesus was not the son of God but just another human. I wonder then why is a Buddhist a Buddhist. Is it because one is attracted by the chantings, meditation or even by the sweet or gentle smile of some Buddhist monks the likes of Ajahn Brahm or Ajahn Sumedho? Naturally, it could not be because of Buddha being a God for it's common knowledge that he was not. Perhaps, the Five Precepts or The Four Noble Truths are the attractions, not all the three baskets, I suppose.
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