The Buddhist

A young man from a strict Christian home is drawn to the teachings of a strange religion. What happens when his father finds out his "abominable secret?"

“No, no, no. It can’t be. Your eyes might have deceived you.”

“I’m sorry to say, Sir. But I know Andrew too well to have mistaken. It was him I saw.”

Brother James regretted breaking the news to his pastor that way. But what other way was there?

Pastor Richard Lawson was flabbergasted. It just could not be true. All these years he had brought his family into the full knowledge of Jesus Christ as savior. Morning and evening prayers, bible studies, mid-week services, Sunday worship services and by every other means, he had led his entire family, wife and six children, closer to God. And now he was hearing that his second child was seen with those useless bald headed beggars called Buddhists and has even entered their satanic temple. He stood speechless for quite a while. When he finally spoke; it was with a lot of effort to remain calm. However, Brother James could detect sternness in his voice. “Well Brother James, if it was him you really saw, I want you to go over to that temple and tell him to come right now.”

“Right away Sir,” Bro. James replied and exited.

Pastor Lawson stood for a while, crossing himself, brow wrinkled. And then he suddenly burst in speaking in tongues. After “praying in the Holy Ghost” for a while, he began with the voice of a military commander to bind and cast out every demon from his family.

“I break your hold on my family in the mighty name of Jesus. I call down and release upon you the fire of the Holy Ghost. The blood of Jesus is against you devil. The blood of Jesus covers my family and there is nothing you can do, so get out in the name of Jesus.” And then he recommenced speaking in tongues and finally shouted, “In Jesus name! Amen and amen.”

He then walked over to the refrigerator and poured for himself a cold glass of milk. As he drank, he looked up on the wall, his eldest daughter smiled at him from a photograph. She had married a fine Christian husband two years ago and they had given him the most beautiful granddaughter. His gaze then shifted to the family photo. He and his wife sat, flanked by his four girls and two boys all decked in their church clothes. That photo was taken many years ago on a Sunday afternoon. Young Andrew had his Sunday school quarterly in his hand. He wore a black coat suit. His zebra striped tie was pinned to his white shirt by a small golden cross. God had been good to this family Pastor Lawson thought, and now Satan wanted to step in. The thought made the man of God furious. He gulped down the remaining milk and was about to start blasting in tongues again when the doorbell rang.

“Come in,” he ordered.

In stepped Brother James followed by Andrew.

“Here he is Sir,” said James

“Hello dad,” greeted Andrew.

Pastor Lawson did not return the greeting. Instead he went straight to the point.

“Andrew, tell me it’s not true that you are following those Buddhist and that you are now from their temple”

“Well …um …let’s put it this way …” Andrew stammered.

“Answer me directly,” bellowed his father.

“It is true dad, I’m with them,” Andrew said, his head bowed.

“What Andrew! You mean after all these years you’ve been taught the truth about Jesus, you wanna end up being a Buddhist?”

“Dad please let me explain,” pleaded Andrew

“Nope,” snapped Pastor Lawson. “I don’t need any explanation. Now listen carefully, I’m giving you two options, you either immediately cease all contacts with those people or you leave this house today. Do I make myself clear?

“Pastor, you must take things easy,” Brother James said.

“Absolutely not,” said the pastor in a preaching tone. “I cannot have an agent of the devil in my house to contaminate the rest of my children. He must do as I say or leave now. Case closed.” With that he walked away to his room.

There was silence for a period of time. James broke the silence. “Andrew, you must obey your father. Those Buddhists are …” he had to stop because he knew his words were useless. Andrew was already headed for the door.

Andrew walked in the streets oblivious of everything around him. His mind was racing. He was in the valley or decision. How could he explain to his father, he wouldn’t be given the chance? He was not really a Buddhist. His teacher had given the class an assignment to read about the major religions of the world. Buddhism seemed an interesting religion. Out of both interest and curiosity he had met and asked one of them in the community to further inform him on their religion. The Buddhist had given him one of their books and it had interested him. He was fascinated by their non-violent philosophy, their way of life among their fellowman, their moral values. It was pleasant to be around them. So he had asked for more of their books and had started attending their temple gatherings. They were a gentle and loving group of people.

But of course his father would not understand. He would not even listen. Yet Andrew knew who would listen. And that was where he was headed.

***

“You mean your father told you to leave the house?” asked Leroy Lawson, one elbow on his bookshelf standing with his legs crossed, a glass of whisky in his hand.

“Yes Uncle Leroy,” Andrew answered. Uncle Leroy stepped away from the shelf. He was the younger brother of Pastor Richard Lawson. He was also a Christian but not the charismatic kind his brother was. He was of a more moderate sect, Episcopal Church. He was also a lawyer.

“What did you do to him?’ he asked walking toward his nephew in courtroom fashion.

“Nothing,” Andrew replied.

“Then why did he tell you to leave the house?”

“Because I started going around some Buddhist friends and attending their meetings.”

“But Andrew, why would you want to become a Buddhist?” asked Uncle Leroy. “Your father is a staunch Christian, a preacher at that. Your entire family belongs to the church. You too were a Christian, why would you suddenly want to become something else?”

“Uncle Leroy,” Andrew said, “Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism and the rest are nothing but titles. They are just names given to different schools of thought. That’s what religions really are, schools of thoughts. Different teachings and philosophies propounded by different teachers at different times in history. The one that makes sense to an individual he follows or at most times the ones we are born into, we follow, thereby obtaining those names given by man; a Christian, a Hindu, etc. I strongly believe that if people will actually see religion the way I see it, as schools of thoughts, there will be a great reduction or possible an eradication of all these senseless religious conflicts around the world.”

Leroy stared at his nephew with some admiration. What the kid said made some sense. Probably he was right.

He sipped some more whisky and said, “Go into the kitchen and fix yourself a snack. We will later drive to your father and have a word with him.”

As they drove to his brother’s house, Leroy asked his nephew, “Who taught you such a thing; religions are mere schools of thoughts?”

“No one Uncle Leroy. It’s quite obvious. A common example: you and dad are Christians, yet your church and his church have different teachings and ways of worship. His church believes in fiery prayers and very loud singing accompanied by drums, guitars and other noisy instruments. Your church, on the other hand, preaches and worships the same Christ yet in a quiet fashion; quiet prayers offered by one person, and hymns and chants, accompanied only by the organ. So you see, it’s the same Christianity but with different approaches, different preferences, different schools of thoughts.”

Uncle Leroy laughed, “You know son, you really amuse me,” he said, “You are quite interesting.” Then he added with a sigh. “But I don’t think your father will be amused as I am.”

And indeed he was not. Pastor Lawson sat with his four children, watching TV.

“Hi there Richard,” greeted Leroy,

“Hello brother,” he responded as he stood up to shake hands.

“Hey, how’re you all doing kids,” Leroy called out.

“Hi Uncle Leroy,” the children responded in a chorus.

Leroy once more spoke to his senior brother, “So how goes it around here and where’s my sister-in-law?”

“Well, God is in control of things around here,” said the pastor. “Your sister is in the room doing some l’il things.”

Leroy then got to the real matter. “I think it is clear why I’m here.” Andrew was standing behind his uncle.

“Yes, it’s quite clear,” said the pastor. “Let me disperse the kids.”

When the children had all gone to their rooms, he told Leroy to sit while Andrew remained standing.

“Er … Richard,” began Leroy, “I already know the entire story. I’m only here to appeal that you set your son down and really talk to him. But to just cast him away, I’m sorry, but I don’t think it’s the right thing to do.”

“Listen brother,” said the pastor leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees, “The kid has already caused a lot of problems. His mother is crying her eyes out in the room. Did you notice the gloom among the children?”

“I’m sorry brother,” the pastor said conclusively, “but there is nothing else I can do. Andrew either keeps away from those people and remains in the family, or remains with those people and keeps away from the family.”

Leroy knew his brother; at that moment further appeals would be unnecessary.

“Alright Richard,” he said, “I may call back.”

“Have a pleasant evening, brother,” said the pastor. Andrew followed his uncle outside.

“Let’s get to the house Andrew. I will still find time to talk to your father,” said Uncle Leroy.

“Go ahead Uncle Leroy. I want to get few of my things and I’ll be right behind you.”

But Andrew had told his uncle a lie. As soon as his uncle’s car was out of sight he crossed the road and walked in the opposite direction. He then turned a corner and walked in towards the building the Buddhist called their monastery. As he approached, the twin doors seemed to swing wide open in welcome. He stepped in, and was greeted with nods from heads that wore the most pleasant smiling faces. He breathed in and the very air was filled with tranquility. Andrew Lawson had found a new family. He had found a new home.

***

The years came and the years went. If Pastor Lawson grieved the loss of his son no one could tell. He hardly ever mentioned the name Andrew. At first, his wife used to talk about her son almost every day. She really wanted him back. However after some very stern warnings from her husband, the father and the head of the home, she ceased to talk about Andrew. The most she could do was to hide herself occasionally and weep to her heart’s content. His little siblings hardly missed Andrew. Since the marriage of their eldest sister, Andrew became the eldest in the house. But unlike their sister, he hardly had time to sit and talk with them. He was always either busy reading or sitting all by himself thinking, so to them the absence of their brother meant very little.

Then something happened, something that almost every living Liberian had never experienced. Civil war broke out. Mercenaries trained out of the country, returned as rebels and invaded the north. The war then rapidly spread to almost all parts of the country. The rebels were bringing freedom. They were bringing change and almost everyone wanted a change. The national army was rejected. Civilians hid rebels on reconnaissance in their homes. The national army was all alone and she had to protect herself. Check points intended to weed out rebel infiltrations were set up all over Monrovia, the government’s only stronghold. It was at one of these check points that Pastor Lawson along with his family, driving home from church on a Sunday afternoon, were stopped and ordered to disembark.

“Who are you?” asked a young soldier walking over to the pastor.

“I’m Pastor Richard Lawson,” the pastor answered, “and these are my family.”

“I didn’t ask about the rest of these, I only asked you who you were. Every soldier speaks for himself.”

The last sentence was not at all strange to the Lawson family. Just last week a man was severely beaten when he spoke on behalf of his son. The boy was accused of being a rebel on reconnaissance. With several guns pointing at him, he had lost all words. His father was the one who spoke. The soldiers came down on the old man. He had disobeyed the rule ‘every solider speaks for himself.’

“So,” said the soldier, “You are a pastor. You use the pulpit to preach politics now-a- days, ordering the president to resign in the name of peace. Was it the president who started this war?” The soldier was now shouting.

“Like I said earlier,” said Pastor Lawson, “I am pastor Richard Lawson and I preach nothing but Christ and him crucified.”

“Well,” said the soldier in a calm tone, “the rest of your family can go. You have an interview with our CO.” He then said to the rest of the family, “family you can go.”

There was no need to repeat. Mrs. Lawson slowly took the driver’s seat and drove the children home.

“Sit down pastor,” ordered the soldier.

Pastor Lawson looked around. There was no seat. He was a bit confused and kept standing.

“I said sit down,” the soldier shouted as he kicked on the pastor’s legs.

Pastor Lawson landed heavily on the ground on his buttocks.

“O God!” he prayed under his breath, “It is only you I’m depending on. My entire family has left me.”

But the pastor was wrong. Over the months, Sunday after Sunday a young man had stood on the side of the road, dressed in disguise and standing in an unseen position. He would wait for the Lawson family to drive by. And after they passed, he would walk away with tear filled eyes and a heavy heart and wait for another Sunday to come to get a glimpse of his family. But this Sunday, he could not remain hidden.

“Dad!” he shouted running towards the pastor and the soldier. The other soldiers who had acted like they were not there all jumped into action. Who was this guy?

Pastor Lawson knew the answer. It was a voice he had not heard for a length of time now. Yet a voice so familiar he could not have been mistaken. It was the voice of Andrew, his eldest son. It was the voice of the Buddhist.

“Hey, hold it right there, who are you?” asked the soldier in the spotlight.

Andrew ran past him and knelt down beside his father. “Dad, are you alright?” he asked, his voice shaking.

“Young man I asked you a question,” said the soldier between clenched teeth as he violently yanked Andrew to his feet. “Who the hell are you?”

“He’s my father man,” Andrew answered.

“So does that give you the guts to just burst into our check point like this?”

“What rights have you to pick on a harmless old man, a preacher man who has done you no wrong?” Andrew asked.

One of the soldiers spoke for the first time. “Hey boy,” he said, “if you love your life you will get out of here now. You don’t know who you’re playing with.”

Andrew turned on him with a glare. “I don’t care to know who I’m playing with. I am not getting out of here, neither will I stand here and see you treat an innocent old man like this, let alone own father.

The first soldier once more came into the spotlight. “Alright, mister, every soldier speaks for himself so get going or get killed,” he said sternly.

Andrew knew that the soldier was not joking but he stood his ground. “I’m not a soldier and neither is my father, so I’m gonna speak for him. And if I will die doing it,” he added, swallowing hard, “then let me die.”

This was too much for the young soldier. No one has ever challenged him like this. He angrily raised his gun to hit its butt on Andrew’s head. Andrew closed his eyes and waited for the blow, but it did not come.

“As you were!” The command came from behind the sand bags. Andrew opened his eyes and saw the young soldier standing in attention while a huge soldier stepped from his seat behind the sand bags. He, no doubt, was the Commanding Officer. He walked over to Andrew and extended his hand. They shook hands.

“What’s your name, young man?” the CO asked,

“Lawson, Andrew Lawson.”

“I admire your courage very brave of you. You will make a very fine soldier.”

Then he turned to the young soldier. “Soldier!”

“Sir!”

“Let them go.”

“Yes Sir,”

Pastor Lawson leaned on his son’s shoulder. He could not walk by himself because his leg ached from the kick. As they reach near their house, he could hear loud voices crying to God to protect him. He looked at his son. Although he boy was straining under his weight, yet he was smiling. Pastor Lawson smiled back at his son.

“Welcome home son,” he said.

There was going to be a great family reunion. All these years Pastor Richard Lawson had prayed for his son’s return and God had finally answered. He was going to accept his son just as he was. And although he will still teach his children Bible principles, he was also going to teach them courage and bravery. He had learned and was going to teach them to stand up for what are right and just no matter what. He was going to teach them to be courageous like their eldest brother, to be brave like his eldest son. Pastor Richard Lawson was going to tell them to be like Andrew, the “BUDDHIST”.

~END~