I think you ignore the possibility that the Dalai Lama, in speaking to western audiences, has adopted western terminology and, to some extent, recast his religion in something like liberal protestant terms. Buddhism can hardly be resistent to syncretism, since one can at the same time be Shinto and Buddhist. Indeed, northern Buddhism historically seemd to have taken that route.
Many Westerners can read Tibetan nowadays, so the Dalai Lama isn’t the only, or even the dominant, source for finding out what Tibetan Buddhism teaches. Add to that, the fact that the Dalai Lama is a member of just one of the four major Tibetan Buddhist traditions, so whatever he might say, would not necessarily represent all of Tibetan Buddhism, not to mention all of Buddhism. (Many Westerners can read Sanskrit, Pali, Chinese, and Japanese, nowadays, too.)
This article contains some common misunderstandings of Buddhism. To wit:
Hello friend.
Yes, very good Ahimsa. It is difficult when translating Pali to English, because as it is with many languages, you just can’t translate “word-for-word” so easily. Some concepts take whole sentences to portray one word accurately.
I believe the similarity mentioned hear is more significant then people are giving credit. When Jesus makes the statement “Love your neighbor as you love yourself” he states that this sums up the Law and the Prophets. That seems like a lot to sum up. Percentages seem like an odd way to compare the similarities but I would say that the similarity in this regard is very significant.
Well, I never said I was not a Buddhist.Are you sure you’re not Buddhist down deep in there?
Peace…
The similarity : Just as christianity, buddhism seeks salvation & perfection. The big difference however, buddhism start from human effort to reach this salvation & perfection. Thus buddhism talks about “a way of life” which is more philosophical. Christianity starts with “God’s word” , thus more “theological”.
I couldn’t tell you, but what is it you are trying to accomplish? I mean that respectfully and with good intentions. Maybe if you tell me what your goal is then I could help you further or help you find the right information at least.
Meditation/prayer/contemplation is the key; “being quiet.” Buddha spent years in the Indian wilderness, meditating, contemplating. Jesus spent time in the desert wilderness, praying, contemplating, getting quiet.
With the help of writers Thomas Merton, Alan Watts, and D.T. Suzuki, I gradually realized that perhaps meditation could also be a *bone fide* Christian experience. It was St. John of the Cross who finally escorted me across the threshold into the mainstream of the Catholic mystical tradition. It was St. John who taught me that "emptiness" can indeed be a kind of Zen spaciousness, but also a living dimension of Presence in which God is working to purify my mind and heart. Under the tutelage of some counter-cultural Carmelite monks in New Hampshire, I joined the Catholic church and became a Third Order Carmelite in 1973.
Since 1984 I have worked and played in the fields of the Buddhist-Christian dialogue. Today I am the director of a lay Christian contemplative community called the Empty Bell in Watertown, Massachusetts. Part of our mission is to bring Christians and Buddhists together. I have taken part in many interfaith dialogues over the years. In the 1970’s and 80’s most of these sessions were between Japanese Zen Masters and scholars and Roman Catholic theologians, monks and nuns. However, in the last ten years, the audience has become [more discerning and more diverse](http://www.emptybell.org/florence.html).
I’ve read Truth and Tolerance, and I respect Pope Benedict XVI’s interpretation of the different religions (or, of Christianity and the religions), but I don’t think he fully understands the diversity of Hindu or Buddhist thought, nor the meaning of terms like “illusion” as used in certain Hindu or Buddhist schools.
I was forced to take a Budhism class in college the same term I was to enter the Church. (Needed that “US diversity” credit) I was a little worried that the class might upset my apple cart.
Hello forthright,
Carmelite orders look quite similar to buddhism in term of lifestyle, and their philosophical relationtship with each other, with nature, etc.
Just as there are many sects or forms of Christianity, there are different sects in Buddhism. The differences in Buddhism are (in my opinion) more about the method of practice than dogmatic beliefs. There are many things all sects in Buddhism agree on. They all agree that morality, concentration and wisdom and compassion are essential in living a Buddhist life.