16 Dec 05
Originally posted by DoctorScribblesA good Christian could easily practice Buddhism. Buddhist routines should form a useful complement to Christian spirituality, which seems somewhat short on practical meditation techniques. (Please correct me if I'm wrong on this).
Is there anything about either of these that precludes one from practicing and believing the tenets of both? Can a good Chrisitan also practice Buddhism? Can a Buddhist believe in the triune God of the Bible?
A Buddhist can put anything to good use, even the triune God. In Tibetan Buddhism you can meditate on a god-form in the hope of losing yourself in it; surely the 3-in-1 could be substituted to that purpose.
16 Dec 05
Originally posted by Bosse de NageDepends where you are coming from.
A good Christian could easily practice Buddhism. Buddhist routines should form a useful complement to Christian spirituality, which seems somewhat short on practical meditation techniques. (Please correct me if I'm wrong on this).
A Buddhist can put anything to good use, even the triune God. In Tibetan Buddhism you can meditate on a god-form in the hope of losing yourself in it; surely the 3-in-1 could be substituted to that purpose.
A strict Catholic might have some issues with Buddhism, being that there is an ultimate authority and so forth. (According to them, and the new Pope doesn't like it)
Make up your own mind, IMHO, most religions have some value, insight and so forth, being a study of Man.
*meh*
16 Dec 05
Originally posted by DoctorScribblesI'd say all religions are slightly overlapping each other. The basic messages are the same. It's just a matter of how it's presented, and what is expected of you as a follower.
Is there anything about either of these that precludes one from practicing and believing the tenets of both? Can a good Chrisitan also practice Buddhism? Can a Buddhist believe in the triune God of the Bible?
At the core of any religion is wishful thinking. The idea that somehow this world would be a better place if everyone followed one set of rules; doctrine. The problem with most doctrines is that they don't consider everything (well, buddhism and the likes being a little different from most).
So you should ask yourself: "Is the doctrine of buddhism compatible with the doctrine of christianity?", and of course the answer is: "How deep are you willing to go?", because in the end, if the two are completely compatible they're the same, thus, logic dictates they cannot be followed to letter at the same time.
Pick and choose for yourself, I always say.
16 Dec 05
Originally posted by DoctorScribbles1. Yes. A Christian cannot accept karma and rebirth, for instance, in the way they are understood in Buddhism. The Buddhist cannot accept that escape from suffering is to be found in contemplating God alone.
Is there anything about either of these that precludes one from practicing and believing the tenets of both? Can a good Chrisitan also practice Buddhism? Can a Buddhist believe in the triune God of the Bible?
2. Not really. A Christian can find elements in Buddhism that conform to his existing faith, but that's not the same as practising Buddhism.
3. It's possible - but the Buddhist would have to deny the personal nature of the Biblical God.
16 Dec 05
1 edit
Originally posted by The Chess ExpressThe Christian response to the Four Noble Truths:
Buddhism and Christianity share much in common.
As I understand it, The Four Nobel Truths of Buddhism are roughly as follows.
1. This world and all life is suffering.
2. The cause of our suffering is desire, in particular attachment to material things, attachment to this world.
3. We all will eventually end our suffering by real ...[text shortened]... d on my interpretation of the scripture Christians are supposed to find Jesus within themselves.
1 and 2. For the Christian, this world and life is not just about suffering. It is essentially a perfect world made imperfect through human action and Original Sin. Nevertheless, both the world and life are to be treasured. While there is a better life to come, it is not a life separated from this world - Christians believe in the literal resurrection of the body.
3. The Christian does not seek to escape his own suffering. He seeks to embrace it with Christ on the cross and sanctify it. Of course, he doesn't try to suffer unnecessarily!
4. The Christian view of the Eightfold Path is focused on God, rather than on himself.
Christians tend to focus more on Jesus and the external. Buddhists look to themselves for the truth. This doesn’t have to be a difference though. Based on my interpretation of the scripture Christians are supposed to find Jesus within themselves.
They will find Jesus in themselves - but by focusing on Jesus, not themselves. In finding Jesus they find who they really are. This was a favourite theme of JPII's. Jesus, as true man, represents what humanity is really about, what it really should be, what it really can and will be.
16 Dec 05
2 edits
Originally posted by Bosse de NageA good Christian could easily practice Buddhism. Buddhist routines should form a useful complement to Christian spirituality, which seems somewhat short on practical meditation techniques. (Please correct me if I'm wrong on this).
A good Christian could easily practice Buddhism. Buddhist routines should form a useful complement to Christian spirituality, which seems somewhat short on practical meditation techniques. (Please correct me if I'm wrong on this).
A Buddhist can put anything to good use, even the triune God. In Tibetan Buddhism you can meditate on a god-form in the hope of losing yourself in it; surely the 3-in-1 could be substituted to that purpose.
Gladly. 🙂
Christianity has a long tradition of contemplative prayer. Some great works I'd recommend reading are St. John of the Cross's 'Dark Night of the Soul' and St. Teresa of Avila's 'The Interior Castle' - the Discalced Carmelites specialise in Christian contemplative prayer. Also recommended is anything by St. Francis de Sales.
EDIT: The rosary, when prayed properly, is one of the best forms of contemplative/meditative prayer.
Of course, there are many other spiritual traditions in Christianity as well. Ignatian spirituality, for instance, focuses on finding God in the daily events of our life. Charismatic spirituality is usually popular with the youth.
EDIT2: I should probably also mention Thomas Merton before vistesd chips in. 😀 I'm not familiar with Merton's work myself.
In Tibetan Buddhism you can meditate on a god-form in the hope of losing yourself in it; surely the 3-in-1 could be substituted to that purpose.
In that sense, perhaps it can work. But then the god-form in Christianity is a real, other presence - not just a figure to focus one's attention on.
The basic difference between the two is that Christianity looks outward, Buddhism looks inward. Kind of like the difference between the Jedi and the Sith (if you've read the Star Wars novels).
16 Dec 05
Originally posted by ivanhoeAs Buddhism in a non-evangelical religion, I find it to be infinitely preferable to christianity. If christianity were to be similarly non-evangelical, I would have absolutely no problem with it either.
Do you find anything attractive in Buddhism ? (Besides the fact it has no creator-god)
16 Dec 05
Originally posted by lucifershammerI think a philosophy is more of a way to live your life, but a religion is this with reasons (that may or not be true) for example a god. Thats the way i see it.
What's the difference between philosophy and religion, according to you?
16 Dec 05
Originally posted by Will EverittAny philosophy will begin with certain premises. Buddhism offers premises of its own (karma, rebirth) that, IMO, are no less fantastic than the ones Christianity offers.
I think a philosophy is more of a way to live your life, but a religion is this with reasons (that may or not be true) for example a god. Thats the way i see it.