Buddhism and Christianity?

[Juansavage]

Juansavage:

The biggest non-true thing you say is that sin is ignorance. Many people are aware and even told many times what’s wrong and still do wrong.

There is no such thing as sin in Buddhism. There are wise actions and unwise actions. Wise actions lead to happiness in this and future lives; unwise actions lead to suffering in this and future lives.

Of course, the downside of no sin is that there is no forgiveness of sin either. You cannot escape karma:

Neither in the sky nor in mid-ocean,
nor in a cave in the mountains,
is there a place where a man
can escape his evil deed.

– Dhammapada 9:12

Are wise decisions better? What if one knows what’s wise and refuses to do it?

 

[rossum]

Are wise decisions better? What if one knows what’s wise and refuses to do it?

Wise decisions give better results down the line: “By their fruits shall you know them.” Wise decisions give better fruits.

 

[rossum]

Your first quote is general, not related to slavery specifically. Your second quote is about how to treat your slaves; it does not say it is wrong to own slaves in the first place.

The first quote echoes the words of the Buddha: “Love others as you love yourself.” – Bhadramayakaravyakarana sutra, 91.

 

[Vico]

Your first quote is general, not related to slavery specifically. Your second quote is about how to treat your slaves; it does not say it is wrong to own slaves in the first place.

The first quote echoes the words of the Buddha: “Love others as you love yourself.” – Bhadramayakaravyakarana sutra, 91.

True, it does not say it is wrong to own a slave, rather not to love is wrong.

Doúlos (Greek): someone who belongs to another; a bond-slave , without any ownership rights of their own.

Matthew 25

38 And when did we see thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and covered thee?
39 Or when did we see thee sick or in prison, and came to thee?
40 And the king answering, shall say to them: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to me.

44 Then they also shall answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see thee hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to thee?
45 Then he shall answer them, saying: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it not to one of these least, neither did you do it to me.

 

[annem]

[rossum: Wise decisions give better results down the line: “By their fruits shall you know them.” Wise decisions give better fruits.

So Stalin and Hitler and Mao merely made ignorant decisions, not evil ones, which soaked the earth knee deep in the blood of innocent men and women. This strikes me as a fatal flaw for Buddhism.

 

[annem]

rossum:Animals are both moral and rational.

Then how do rocks become animals? Here is Thich Nhaat Hahn "“the rock…is nothing les than consciousness”

 

[rossum]

This strikes me as a fatal flaw for Buddhism.

So, you find vocabulary more important than actions. A strange position to take.

What about non-English speakers who do not use the word “evil”?

 

[annem]

rossum , you find vocabulary more important than actions. A strange position to take.

You agree that , Buddhism rejects the concepts of evil, good, and absolute truth, but argue instead that .” Wise decisions give better fruits .

If wise decisions and lack of ignorance promote good fruit, please list all the important accomplishments Buddhism has achieved in societies.

 

[Chistian-ity]

Second, it is easy to make a religion appear bad by looking at the worst behaviour of its followers.

I agree, there is just bad people in general. They don’t represent the religion at all, they’re just people.

 

[Vico]

[rossum: Wise decisions give better results down the line: “By their fruits shall you know them.” Wise decisions give better fruits.

So Stalin and Hitler and Mao merely made ignorant decisions, not evil ones, which soaked the earth knee deep in the blood of innocent men and women. This strikes me as a fatal flaw for Buddhism.

Larger Sutra on Amida Buddha describes five evils:

• The first evil is this. Devas, humans and lesser beings, including even those that crawl, are bent on doing evil.
• The second evil is that people of the world – parents, children, brothers and sisters, members of a family, husbands and wives – all lack moral principles, break laws, conduct themselves arrogantly, commit licentious and unruly acts, pursue their own pleasures, enjoy themselves as they will, and deceive each other.
• Besides, there are evildoers who always harbor vicious thoughts and think only of self-gratification; they are full of worries, sunk in lust and attachment, are restless in their daily lives, greedy and miserly, and desirous of what they have no right to possess.
• The fourth evil is this. People of the world do not think of doing good. They incite each other to commit various kinds of evil …
• The fifth evil is this. People of the world are indecisive and slothful, reluctant to do good, lacking in self-discipline and not working hard at their occupations, so their families and dependents are left to suffer from hunger and cold. … Furthermore, they do not believe in the ancient sages …

After describing the five note this:

• The Buddha continued, "You and other devas and humans of the present and people of future generations, having received the Buddha’s teachings, should reflect upon them and, while following them, should remain upright in thought and do virtuous deeds. …

http://web.mit.edu/stclair/www/larger.html#Admonition against five evils

 

[rossum]

You agree that , Buddhism rejects the concepts of evil, good, and absolute truth,

Absolute truth? What is your absolutely true method for determining what is, and what is not absolute truth?

Is it absolutely evil to kill an unborn child for instance? Bear in mind that many unborn children were killed in Noah’s flood, and in the massacre of the Midianites (Numbers 31:17).

Without an absolutely reliable method, you cannot absolutely say what is, and what is not, an absolute truth.

Lacking such a method, I am not going to claim any absolute truth. All I claim is that Buddhist methods work. The Kalama sutta applies here.

 

[LovelyLadybug]

Buddhism is just one of many false religions. The Buddha was a real person who invented his own religion. It’s not the true religion, but it does have some things compatible with Christianity. I don’t know much about Buddhism, but, from what I understand, they have similar moral teachings. But, Buddhists are agnostic. That marks the biggest difference. I just don’t understand how somebody can ignore God like that!!! It’s so very sad, since Jesus died on the cross. He shed his blood for Mankind and The Buddha certainly didn’t do that!!! In other words, Jesus is God. Buddha is not. Catholicism is the true religion. Buddhism is a false religion. I hope this helps!!!

 

[rossum]

The Buddha was a real person who invented his own religion.

Almost correct. He was a real person who discovered a religion that works: Buddhists really are happier. Buddhism is discovered, not revealed. Each new Buddha rediscovers it after the previous iteration has disappeared.

Buddhists are agnostic.

Buddhism has a great many gods, though Western Buddhists tend to ignore them. Eastern Buddhists are more inclined to pay attention to gods, but they are not as important as in the Abrahamic religions. If you want to win the lottery then there are plenty of gods to pray to for that. The Buddha is not going to help you win the lottery, so it is pointless asking him.

 

[LovelyLadybug]

I respect your beliefs, even though they are wrong.

Almost correct. He was a real person who discovered a religion that works: Buddhists really are happier. Buddhism is discovered, not revealed

No, he definitely made it up.

Buddhism has a great many gods, though Western Buddhists tend to ignore them. Eastern Buddhists are more inclined to pay attention to gods, but they are not as important as in the Abrahamic religions. If you want to win the lottery then there are plenty of gods to pray to for that. The Buddha is not going to help you win the lottery, so it is pointless asking him.

Another reason that Buddhism is false. There is only one God. I know you disagree with my beliefs, so thank you for reading my opinion.

 

[Maximian]

Buddhism flatly contradicts almost every article of the Creed. What could it possibly teach Christianity?

 

[Shakuhachi]

That suffering is related to our many attachments.

 

[Maximian]

That is not something that Buddhism can teach Christianity, as it is something that Christianity already has. Look at the usual conditions for a plenary indulgence for example.

 

[openmind77]

… What could it possibly teach Christianity?

Buddhism includes an analysis of human psychology, emotion, cognition, behavior and motivation along with therapeutic practices that is not quite presented in Christianity. Buddhism really advises us how to pyschologically address the problems of human desires, fears and attachments. See Buddhism and psychology - Wikipedia . Apart from that, I really see Buddhism as a religion for intellectuals , cerebral persons rather than a lay, average person (btw, I am not myself a Buddhist). Christianity is appropriate as a religion for all types and levels of people - those with little education as well as those highly educated with a greater intellectual capacity. But Buddhism does better with the second type. Many ‘scientific types’ will lean towards Buddhism.

 

[rossum]

You are correct about Western Buddhism, it does tend to appeal to intellectuals. However some forms of Eastern Buddhism are less intellectually oriented. For example Pure Land Buddhism or Nichiren (most often seen in the West as Soka Gakkai) are populist versions of Buddhism.

 

[LovelyLadybug]

Buddhism is the 4th largest religion with about 320 million people. The majority of Buddhists live in the Far East (Thailand, China, Japan, etc…) I don’t know much about it, but, from what I do know, they have similar moral teachings to Christianity, but everything else about it contradicts Catholic teachings. It goes against the Apostle’s Creed. Think about that first line. (I believe in God, The holy, Catholic, & Apostolic Church) They don’t believe in God and they certainly don’t care about Catholicism!!! Everything else about it goes against Catholicism, too. Buddhists don’t worship God, don’t pray to him, I think they either ignore him completely or worship false gods. Jesus is God. Buddha is not. In a recent interview, the Dalai Lama said that the difference between him and Christians is that they believe in God & he doesn’t. That is the difference. I hope this helps!!!