Question asked by Brad
My question pertains to how a Buddhist should deal with religious solicitation? Such as people coming to your door knocking, and trying to sell their religion. I hate to be rude in any way and I am sure they mean well, but I really don't agree with people coming to your home unannounced and using various conversion tactics. How best should someone respond?












































































































Dear Brad,
Thank you for your question. It is the first question I have come across about this topic. If you are able and if it is appropriate you should put up a “no soliciting” sign near your front door. This is an all-round measure to stop unwanted soliciting. Depending on where you live, you can probably find these at your local hardware store.
If that does not work and people still come to you door, you should try to develop compassion for the people soliciting at your doorstop. As Buddhism teaches we should develop compassion for all beings, and especially if these people get us angry or make us annoyed.
As taught in the Lam Rim teachings, we one way to develop this is to meditate on how you think about and react to (a) someone you love, (b) someone you dislike, and (c) someone who is a complete stranger. Then you switch their roles until you develop equanimity between them. In this way, you stop having thoughts that are extreme either way.
Coupled with this, you should think that these people are following their own religion in the way they know how to do. You are following your own religion. You should be respectful of their religion even if they are trying to convert you. To do this, you must develop a strong grounding and faith in your own religion. Through this you will realise that suffering exists on many levels, and it leads people to react in different ways. If they continue then you should be cordial in your speech and mannerisms and inform them politely that you are practicing your own religion and happy with what you are practicing. I hope this helps.
Thank you.