Catholicism & Buddhism?

[RosaryGirl_777]

Is it true that Catholicism & Buddhism is compatible so that a Catholic could be a Buddhist? The reason I ask is because I have heard people call themselves Catholic Buddhists?

Pax

 

[algebra]

It is amazing.

Actually my experience as a follower of jesus (not christian), has been greatly enhanced by my understanding and practice of buddhism.

I believe Jesus is a G_D, in the buddhist sense.

 

[Tantum_ergo]

People call themselves all sorts of things. . .

Objectively speaking, a baptized Catholic Christian cannot simultaneously be a Buddhist. That does not mean that a Catholic cannot appreciate many of the teachings of Buddhism or many of the commonalities that exist. But there are so many teachings which contradict Catholic teachings, above all the idea of nirvana which is absolutely contradictory to Catholic teaching, that there is simply no way that a person can claim to be ‘both.’

As scripture says, a man cannot serve two masters. A baptized Catholic Christian cannot turn his/her back on Catholic teachings to embrace ‘some’ Buddist teachings which contradict the Catholic ones because he/she likes them better, feels more tolerant, comfortable, inclusive, etc. that way. This leads to the fallacy of ‘indifferentism’–the idea that any one religion is just as ‘good’ as another and that one can pick and choose what one likes from a smorgasbord of religious teachings

 

[algebra]

I would posit that both catholicism and buddhism seek the truth, yet approach it differently.

Neither catholicism nor buddhism are in themselves the truth.

The truth is jesus, for catholics, the church and the religion are paths.

The truth is nirvana for buddhists, meditation and the teachings of buddha the path.

the bible itself cannot reveal the fullness of truth, since it is distinct from jesus, who one has to experience personally to understand the Truth.

 

[Tantum_ergo]

Algebra, as an agnostic Jew according to your profile, you are neither Catholic nor Buddhist. As such, your comments while interesting reflect neither a Catholic nor a Buddhist perspective, but only your own opinion and are not in line with authentic Catholic teaching (which IS truth as the Church, Bride of Christ, by being “one flesh” with Him is likewise Truth).

As a Catholic, I can respond to the OP that a person, once a baptized Catholic Christian, cannot be simultaneously a believing practicing Buddhist. He/she can be a Catholic who likes certain Buddhist ideas which do NOT CONTRADICT Catholicism, (just as I, were I to be a Midwestern middle-class Mom, could LIKE to dress in "prairie’ dresses as if I lived in 1860, spin my own wool as if I lived in 1860, etc. I might LIKE certain styles and ways of 1860, but I LIVE IN 2008. Were I to ‘contradict’ 2008 by refusing to pay an income tax, or ‘squatting on land’ and claiming a homestead, etc., I would run into some serious 2008 legal troubles!!) but he/she cannot simultaneously profess to follow Catholic teaching (paramount of which is belief in Christ as Redeemer) and Buddhist belief in Nirvana. The two are NOT the same, and to argue that they are ‘equal paths’ is indifferentism and indeed, misleading. They are not.

Again, a person can CALL himself/herself anything. Lord knows I’ve met enough of these ‘hyphenated’ people, whether it’s religiously, politically, culturally, ethnically based. Many are sincere in believing that they CAN be faithful adherents to two (or more) contradictory beliefs. . .but that doesn’t make them correct in their belief. It makes them sincere, but deluded, people.

 

[algebra]

Just because I am not catholic, does not undermine my understanding of your beautiful faith.

Again Jesus is truth, and the paths to truth are many.

You do not have to be catholic to seek truth, even the church accepts that there is truth outside of the church.

I suggest you familiarise yourself with your faith.

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

Just because I am not catholic, does not undermine my understanding of your beautiful faith.

Again Jesus is truth, and the paths to truth are many.

You do not have to be catholic to seek truth, even the church accepts that there is truth outside of the church.

I suggest you familiarise yourself with your faith.

Mat 7:14 How narrow is the gate, and strait is the way that leadeth to life: and few there are that find it!

May the peace of the Lord be with you,
Prodigal Son1

 

[water]

Is it true that Catholicism & Buddhism is compatible so that a Catholic could be a Buddhist? The reason I ask is because I have heard people call themselves Catholic Buddhists?

Pax

No, it is not true, and those who call themselves Catholic and Buddhist are not practicing Catholic faith as a Catholic does.

Similarly, those who call themselves Catholic but are following New Age are not following the teaching of Christ.

 

[TriuneUnity]

Just because I am not catholic, does not undermine my understanding of your beautiful faith.

Again Jesus is truth, and the paths to truth are many.

You do not have to be catholic to seek truth, even the church accepts that there is truth outside of the church.

I suggest you familiarise yourself with your faith.

John 14:6: Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. "

No other ways my friend.

 

[Tantum_ergo]

This ‘many paths to the same truth’ is indifferentism indeed.

There is ONE path. . .Christ Jesus, and the Way He established. . .His one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church.

Any other ‘paths’ lead either to a ‘partial’ truth or to falsity. I say partial because a non-Catholic Christian is trying to follow Christ, imperfectly, and can be saved through the Church. Non-Christians likewise are saved through the Church.

One path. . .one truth.

And Truth is Truth to all. . .not just to me, or to you. And it doesn’t change; it isn’t truth for me, but not for you, or vice versa.

 

[inJESUS]

Is it true that Catholicism & Buddhism is compatible so that a Catholic could be a Buddhist? The reason I ask is because I have heard people call themselves Catholic Buddhists?

Pax

a Catholic relies on God…a Buddhist relies on himself.

 

[PHX_Paul]

Is it true that Catholicism & Buddhism is compatible so that a Catholic could be a Buddhist? The reason I ask is because I have heard people call themselves Catholic Buddhists?

Pax

I have a profound respect for Buddhists, primarily because of their pacifism and their respect for all life, including the simplest of animals. My patron saint is Saint Francis of Assisi.

In 1993, while in early recovery from alcohol and drugs, I thought it would " enhance" my recovery to study Buddhist meditation. I brought this up in confession with my confessor, a conservative Tridentine rite priest. He said Buddhism is primarily a philosophy and if meditation helps calm my mind and helps relax me that’s fine. But keep the Catholic Sacraments the center of my life and devotion. I failed to tell this priest that the center that I was going to meditate at was a Tibetan Meditation center. After meditation they would chant invoking a number of Tibetan “boddhisatvas” (enlightened beings- some would say that they are just " metaphors") . During the chaniting, they would offer incense out of an open window. I asked one of the members what that was all about. She said that they were giving an offering to the " Mahakala". She didn’t explain what the " Mahakala" was, probably deliberately because she knew that I was a Roman Catholic. Through research, I learned that the " “Mahakala” was originally a Mongolian diety that governed doorways and entry ways! Another name invoked during the chants was Vajrayogini…I learned that this " boddhisatva" is also called the " Sow Goddess"! I stopped going to this center and stopped this form of meditation, after attending their sessions for about a month. Theravada Buddhism and Zen are essentially non- theistic, unlike Tibetan Buddhism, but I would avoid these schools of Buddhism, also. Primarily because they are unecessary if one is living a sacramental life in the Church.

I have been trained in two yoga techniques, and three Eastern meditation techniques (during my " pagan" 20’s & early 30’s). I haven’t practiced these techniques for years. I receive a more profound peace from 15 minutes of the Rosary than I ever received from spending 2 hours meditating on my breath, “emptying my mind”, walking in a circle or chanting. I receive more “enlightenment” from 7 minutes of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy than 20 minutes of repeating a two syllable Sanskrit mantra that I paid $60 to receive 34 years ago. And the greatest gift is the " peace that passes all understanding" that I receive from a simple wafer of unleavened wheat called not the " Buddha Field" but the Body of Christ.

If somebody tells me they use the adjective " Buddhist" before Catholic…I say they are confused and in spiritual danger like I was.

Paul

P.S. I dont practice “Centering Prayer” either!

 

[algebra]

There is a problem here.

For most of you, it is the church and the sacraments that are the goal.

The only truth is Jesus, the path is the church and the sacraments.

You can reach the truth from outside the church.

Or do you not subscribe to the idea of the anonymous catholic?

 

[TriuneUnity]

There is a problem here.

For most of you, it is the church and the sacraments that are the goal.

The only truth is Jesus, the path is the church and the sacraments.

You can reach the truth from outside the church.

Or do you not subscribe to the idea of the anonymous catholic?

I do not. Anyone who rejects the divinity of Christ and rejects His atonement for the sins of the world, and/or includes other deities within the person’s worship is not an anonymous anything. They are a quite open non-believer.

 

[algebra]

Yet you say in the apostles creed “he went down to the dead”

Do you even understand what that means?

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

There is a problem here.

For most of you, it is the church and the sacraments that are the goal.

The only truth is Jesus, the path is the church and the sacraments.

You can reach the truth from outside the church.

Or do you not subscribe to the idea of the anonymous catholic?

Below is what scriptures has to say that seems to refute your ideas. Can you provide any documentation to back up what you say, or is it merely a private revelation or interpretation?

John 14:6: Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. "

Mat 7:14 How narrow is the gate, and strait is the way that leadeth to life: and few there are that find it!

May the peace of the Lord be with you,
Prodigal Son1

 

[Tantum_ergo]

For most of you, it is the church and the sacraments that are the goal.

And you know this how? I frankly find it bordering on the offensive that you presume to know the hearts and minds of ‘most of us’, particularly when you are, to put it bluntly, flat-out wrong in your opinion.

Do you even understand what that means?

Yes. what is YOUR understanding?

 

[algebra]

Below is what scriptures has to say that seems to refute your ideas. Can you provide any documentation to back up what you say, or is it merely a private revelation or interpretation?

I do not refute that jesus is the truth.

But you dont have to be catholic to seek jesus, and you acknowledge it in the apostles creed when you say “he went down to the dead”

 

[TriuneUnity]

I do not refute that jesus is the truth.

But you dont have to be catholic to seek jesus, and you acknowledge it in the apostles creed when you say “he went down to the dead”

You do, however, have to be Christian; which precludes one from holding to the theological and philosophical concepts of Buddhism or any other non-Christian theory.

 

[Tantum_ergo]

But you dont have to be catholic to seek jesus, and you acknowledge it in the apostles creed when you say “he went down to the dead”

He went down to the dead (the righteous dead, who were not able to enter heaven until Christ had redeemed them through his death) to lead them to heaven. This has nothing whatsoever to do with whether one has to be Catholic to seek Jesus.

It is true that one does not ‘have to be Catholic’ to seek Jesus. But it is likewise true that in order to be saved, one is saved by the Catholic Church. . .whether one is a baptized professed Catholic Christian or not. If one is NOT baptized professed Catholic Christian and is saved, it is done through the Church, a great mystery which God will reveal. . . not because one has found a ‘different path’.