Buddhism retreat

[chrisb]

marvin:

The lack of distinction between good and evil. It offers the possibility to view the world dispassionately without judgement or consequence. It allows the practicioner to look upon the material world as a passing distraction on one’s way to higher consciousness thereby negating a sense of responsibility.

Grace and Peace marvin,

Isn’t this the risk of all monastics and ascetics? What distinction do you make between Christian Monastics and ascetics and your concern of Buddhist Monastics? I know that I can quote a lot of monastics who turn a dispassionate eye to the world as part of the distraction of the spiritual life.

Peace Brother.

 

[rossum]

Semper Fi:

Some genuinely good advice. However, the Jesus Prayer definitely is Catholic. Our Eastern Catholic brethren use it all the time with the Chotki.

Thanks for the clarification.

rossum

 

[marvin]

chrisb:

Grace and Peace marvin,

Isn’t this the risk of all monastics and ascetics? What distinction do you make between Christian Monastics and ascetics and your concern of Buddhist Monastics? I know that I can quote a lot of monastics who turn a dispassionate eye to the world as part of the distraction of the spiritual life.

Peace Brother.

Actually no. Christianity and Buddism are completely different. I’m sorry I can’t give more details but you could start here:newadvent.org/cathen/03028b.htm

 

[Ahimsa]

marvin:

The lack of distinction between good and evil.

I can certainly understand your concern here, especially given the fact that Buddhism is new to America, and has often been co-opted by the 60’s counter-culture (which sought to “go beyond” good and evil). But I think if you discover what Buddhism actually teaches, you’ll find that it has a very deep interest and awareness of what is good and what is evil:

For instance, from The Dhammapada:

116. Hasten to do good; restrain your mind from evil. He who is slow in doing good, his mind delights in evil. 117. Should a person commit evil, let him not do it again and again. Let him not find pleasure therein, for painful is the accumulation of evil.

       **118.** Should a person do good, let him do it again and again. let him find pleasure therein, for blissful is the accumulation of good.

       **119.** It may be well with the evil-doer as long as the evil ripens not. But when it does ripen, then the evil-doer sees (the painful results of) his evil deeds.

       **120.** It may be ill with the doer of good as long as the good ripens not. But when it does ripen, then the doer of good sees (the pleasant results of) his good deeds.

       **121.** Think not lightly of evil, saying, "It will not come to me." Drop by drop is the water pot filled. Likewise, the fool, gathering it little by little, fills himself with evil.

       **122.** Think not lightly of good, saying, "It will not come to me." Drop by drop is the water pot filled. Likewise, the wise man, gathering it little by little, fills himself with good.

 

[rossum]

marvin:

Actually no. Christianity and Buddism are completely different.

Completely different? No. Very different? Yes. Much of the morality of both religions is similar, see my quote from the Bhadramayakaravyakarana sutra and my comment on the Ten Commandments in my post #8 above. It is the two religions’ theoretical backgrounds that are very different.

marvin:

I’m sorry I can’t give more details but you could start here:newadvent.org/cathen/03028b.htm

Please note that this article was written in 1908, see the copyright notice at the bottom. There was little accurate knowledge of Buddhism in the west at that time, particularly of Mahayana Buddhism. Translators did not generally have a sufficient understanding of the technical vocabulary of Buddhism to be able to produce reasonably accurate translations of the sutras until about the 1950s.

rossum

 

[buzzcut]

Ahimsa:

I’m just curious: what makes Buddhism seductive?

A somewhat critical article appears here. It says Buddhism is likeable but ultimately “bait and switch.” People get drawn in and then discover they are being fed “junkfood.” That’s the article’s words, not mine.

 

[infj_bookworm]

RobertinRSA:

Is it acceptable as a Catholic to attend a Buddhist retreat? And possibly to learn more about Buddhist spirituality, yet remain a practising Catholic?

I’m devoutly Catholic, and I’ve been to Taoist retreats (very similar). I find it very informative, stretching, and enriching.

Exposing ourselves to non-Christian religions is no different than viewing alternative views on any topic. Most views have some truth, and some mistakes. To quote from a Jewish midrash, it’s like eating an orange – you suck out the good stuff, and spit out the pits.

 

[infj_bookworm]

RobertinRSA:

I was just wondering what it would be like to experience the spirituality of buddhism. The thing that worried me is being in the temple and worshipping Buddha, is that not worshipping idols? I mean we also have a lit of statues in our churches?

Buddha is not considered a God, nor are any of the other buddhas. It looks like idolatry, and I suspect that for ignorant folks, they may not understand and actually might commit idolatry. But it is really no different than our veneration of the saints.

In the Taoist Temple I became aquainted with (Taoism is very similar to Ch’an Buddhism, also known as Zen), behind the statues of the buddhas was a place for a flame to be lit – the flame representing the presence of Tao/God.

 

[infj_bookworm]

rossum:

As a Buddhist I am slightly puzzled why you would want to go on a retreat.

Rossum,
There is book knowledge and there is experiential knowledge – they overlap but are not precisely the same. I don’t believe, for example, that anyone could REALLY learn abut Catholicism without attending Mass.

And if Buddhist retreats/seminars are anything like Taoist ones, then yes, they are boring, so buyer beware.

 

[Talitha]

“”“Isn’t this the risk of all monastics and ascetics? What distinction do you make between Christian Monastics and ascetics and your concern of Buddhist Monastics? I know that I can quote a lot of monastics who turn a dispassionate eye to the world as part of the distraction of the spiritual life.”

A true Monastic is Christ-centred in all his/her life. We set the concerns of the world aside in order to focus on Jesus. And in order to free us to pray for the world. That is not being dispassionate. It is an act of sacrificial love. As all Christ-centred lives are. It is to see more clearly by standing aside.