Here is a conversation (translated into English) that transpired between my home stay family in Mandal Valley and myself.
Mother: You should stay in India.
Father: You should marry in India. There are many Christians in India.
Me: I know, but I'm not Christian. I am a Buddhist.
Father: Oh, they are very much the same thing.
Me: No, Buddhism is closer to Hinduism. We do puja and meditate.
Father: But your father is a Christian priest. (This is the best way to describe Unitarian Minister in India.)
Me: Yes, but my mother and I are Buddhist.
Father: Are there Buddhists in India?
Me: Yes.
Father: Good.
Mother: You should stay in India.
Father: You should marry in India. There are many Christians in India.
Me: I know, but I'm not Christian. I am a Buddhist.
Father: Oh, they are very much the same thing.
Me: No, Buddhism is closer to Hinduism. We do puja and meditate.
Father: But your father is a Christian priest. (This is the best way to describe Unitarian Minister in India.)
Me: Yes, but my mother and I are Buddhist.
Father: Are there Buddhists in India?
Me: Yes.
Father: Good.
Well, it's settled then!
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