Buddhism: A Dangerous Wave From the East?

[Rocky]

Yes, Jesus is THE Way, Truth and Life. But there are even in Christianity little ways of coming to Jesus—St. Therese of Lisieux is a Doctor of the Church because of her Little Way, I believe. So the challenge to Christians is not to write off the way that Buddhists practice and call it evil or dangerous. Buddhism does show some of the truth of God. The challenge is in showing how the Buddhist way can actually point to Christ. If throughout the ages missionaries have been able to incorporate the truths found in many religions to show how Christ is the fulfillment of those religions, then there must be a way to show Christ as the fulfillment of Buddha’s quest.

 

[Bennie_P]

It might be a misquotation from the Dona Sutta?

Well, now that you have brought the discourse of the Dona Sutta into the equation, which seems to tells us that Buddha claims to be **Brahman, thus he claims to be a god or divine. That brings us back to Luke and Matthew, where Christ tells his followers **No man can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one, and love the other: or he will sustain the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Luke 16:13, Matthew 6:24

My deduction is that a follower of Christ cannot claim to be a Christian and a follower of Buddha. It is either one or the other. There cannot be two truths that conflict. One must be false.

 

[diligamus]

Buddha claims to be Brahman.

Sorry I don’t see where it says that?

 

[Bennie_P]

Sorry I don’t see where it says that?

Your right, I miss read it. He claims to be nothing. But he is talking to Brahman. Which still doesn’t point to Christ. Sorry for my mistake.

Still, No man can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one, and love the other: or he will sustain the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

 

[Bennie_P]

Yes, Jesus is THE Way, Truth and Life. But there are even in Christianity little ways of coming to Jesus—St. Therese of Lisieux is a Doctor of the Church because of her Little Way, I believe. So the challenge to Christians is not to write off the way that Buddhists practice and call it evil or dangerous. Buddhism does show some of the truth of God. The challenge is in showing how the Buddhist way can actually point to Christ. If throughout the ages missionaries have been able to incorporate the truths found in many religions to show how Christ is the fulfillment of those religions, then there must be a way to show Christ as the fulfillment of Buddha’s quest.

This word evil keeps coming up, but it seems to be coming from those defending Buddhism as having something in common to Christianity. The use of that word and dangerous is two different terms and ideas. Very provocative in nature.

The danger of Buddhism doesn’t come from those that practice Buddhism, but from the idea that it has something in common to the teachings of Christ and that it is OK for Christians to accept those practices into thier own spiritual lives. That is a very dangerous idea.

2Peter 2:1 But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

Now this scripture may be out of context to this discussion, but it warns of others bringing conflicting ideas from outside of Christ teachings in to the church as truth. To do so opens a Christian to other dangers such as Syncretism which does great harm to Christ message.

I respect Buddhist and thier right to practice thier religion and it is a religion, the only problem with Buddhism in the West, is many, as I stated in other post, claim to be Buddhist, but are creating thier own religion. As Catholics we must or should follow the teachings of the Church. To pick and choose our beliefs from other religions and add them to the teachings of the Church is just New Age syncretism, and a presents a danger to one’s salvation.

Suggested Reading for Catholics and other Christians, But Buddhist Do Not Read!

JESUS CHRIST
THE BEARER OF THE WATER OF LIFE

 

[Laurence_of_PA]

This word evil keeps coming up, but it seems to be coming from those defending Buddhism as having something in common to Christianity. The use of that word and dangerous is two different terms and ideas. Very provocative in nature.

The danger of Buddhism doesn’t come from those that practice Buddhism, but from the idea that it has something in common to the teachings of Christ and that it is OK for Christians to accept those practices into thier own spiritual lives. That is a very dangerous idea.

2Peter 2:1 But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

Now this scripture may be out of context to this discussion, but it warns of others bringing conflicting ideas from outside of Christ teachings in to the church as truth. To do so opens a Christian to other dangers such as Syncretism which does great harm to Christ message.

I respect Buddhist and thier right to practice thier religion and it is a religion, the only problem with Buddhism in the West, is many, as I stated in other post, claim to be Buddhist, but are creating thier own religion. As Catholics we must or should follow the teachings of the Church. To pick and choose our beliefs from other religions and add them to the teachings of the Church is just New Age syncretism, and a presents a danger to one’s salvation.

Suggested Reading for Catholics and other Christians, But Buddhist Do Not Read!

JESUS CHRIST
THE BEARER OF THE WATER OF LIFE

Wait, so if you say that the so-called “real problem with Buddhism” is how it is perverted by Western Culture, then are you implying that a more orthodox Buddhism is perfectly appropriate for Christians to adopt?

I would appreciate it greatly if you would be a little blunter on this issue, but while you’re being blunt, could you elaborate on the contradictions of Christianity and Buddhism beyond the whole “serving of two masters” theme? I’ve recently read fragments from G.K. Chesterton’s Orthodoxy which I thought would be helpful on this issue, that is, until I realized how blatantly igorant the man was of all things Eastern – especially Buddhism!

So, for my sake could you elaborate a little more?

Oh yeah, I apologize for not reciprocating the generosity of the message you sent several months ago, so before I come asking for more, I suppose I should thanks…

Thanks.

Hey, I just realized I’m resurrecting a five-month old thread. Whatever.

 

[Ahimsa]

Hey, I just realized I’m resurrecting a five-month old thread. Whatever.

A Buddhist might say you’ve given rebirth to five-month old thread.

 

[paarsurrey]

This is quite a contrast to what happens whenever the Pope visits the U.S. Remember, just as papal visits can evangelize non-Catholics, the visit of the Dalai Lama can serve as evangelization among non-Buddhists. It is the peaceful means by which the dalai lama is received that should sound an alarm in the heart of all Christians.

Hi

Buddhism is a peaceful religion so I don’t see any reason of alarm in Catholic or Non-Catholic Christians, except of course that the Catholic or Non-Catholic Christians realize in their hearts of hearts big grey zones in their belief structures having no roots in original Jesus’ teachings.

I mean God-Head for Jesus or his Sons-hip of God or his dying on Cross. In stead of raising unnecessary alarm bells against Dalai Lama or Buddhism, Catholic or Non-Catholic Christians must pay more attention in filling big holes in their own religious beliefs.

That would be a more positive and fruitful approach for Catholic or Non-Catholic Christians, I think, conducive to peace in the world .

Thanks

 

[East_Anglican]

Buddhism is a peaceful religion so I don’t see any reason of alarm in Catholic or Non-Catholic Christians, except of course that the Catholic or Non-Catholic Christians realize in their hearts of hearts big grey zones in their belief structures having no roots in original Jesus’ teachings.

1, We’ve got four gospels which are eye witness accounts

2, We also have The Holy Spirit who confirms to us that point one is true.

3, Jesus didn’t found a peaceful religion he is our peace.

4, There are no grey areas he is light and in him is no darkness.

I mean God-Head for Jesus or his Sons-hip of God or his dying on Cross. In stead of raising unnecessary alarm bells against Dalai Lama or Buddhism, Catholic or Non-Catholic Christians must pay more attention in filling big holes in their own religious beliefs.

1,He who rules eternity
Subjected himself to time and space,
Then died in absolute misery
To save the human race.

And to top it off he rose from the dead.

2, As sure as Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son for God, God was willing to sacrifice his son for Abraham and through Gods son we are the children of Abraham and heirs to the promise.

3, Jesus is Lord

4, The aim of every Buddhist is enlightenment. True enlightenment starts with knowing Jesus died on a cross and rose again in three days.

5, There are no holes in our beliefs but there is a big hole in the hearts of those who do not know Christ.

That would be a more positive and fruitful approach for Catholic or Non-Catholic Christians, I think, conducive to peace in the world .

Peace will come when Christ returns for he is The Prince of Peace.