East Meets West

[Richard_James]

Hey guys! Have not been on here in a while, I was discerning the priesthood the last time I was here, but in the past two yeas I have studied Buddhism and Hinduism and feel it is more encompassing of my world view and more spiritually satisfying. No disrespect intended, I find that the Catholic Church has the potential to be a wonderful cause for good in the world, as it has been and continues to be. Now what I am interested in is what do you believe the goal of Catholic-Buddhist dialogue as pioneered by Fr. Merton is? Obviously it is unlikely that there we will ever be one religion, however, do you think it is possible to cultivate the feeling as one human family between all religions? Thanks again! I just thought this would be a nice discussion point since both faiths have very similar lifestyles and figures and since I remember the people on this Forum as very intellectual, understanding, and kind

 

[Warandpeace]

No, I do not believe it is possible to achieve the “coexist” message that is popular today.

That said, we try to refrain from judging all people and treat them as beings made in the image of Christ.

 

[meltzerboy]

Hey guys! Have not been on here in a while, I was discerning the priesthood the last time I was here, but in the past two yeas I have studied Buddhism and Hinduism and feel it is more encompassing of my world view and more spiritually satisfying. No disrespect intended, I find that the Catholic Church has the potential to be a wonderful cause for good in the world, as it has been and continues to be. Now what I am interested in is what do you believe the goal of Catholic-Buddhist dialogue as pioneered by Fr. Merton is? Obviously it is unlikely that there we will ever be one religion, however, do you think it is possible to cultivate the feeling as one human family between all religions? Thanks again! I just thought this would be a nice discussion point since both faiths have very similar lifestyles and figures and since I remember the people on this Forum as very intellectual, understanding, and kind

The Baha’i faith believes in a universality of all religions more so than any other faith tradition I know of. I think it is a noble goal to cultivate the feeling that we are one human family regardless of our different religious beliefs because, after all, we ARE one human family. I wish you all the best on your own faith journey.

 

[Hokomai]

Hey guys! Have not been on here in a while, I was discerning the priesthood the last time I was here, but in the past two yeas I have studied Buddhism and Hinduism and feel it is more encompassing of my world view and more spiritually satisfying. No disrespect intended, I find that the Catholic Church has the potential to be a wonderful cause for good in the world, as it has been and continues to be. Now what I am interested in is what do you believe the goal of Catholic-Buddhist dialogue as pioneered by Fr. Merton is? Obviously it is unlikely that there we will ever be one religion, however, do you think it is possible to cultivate the feeling as one human family between all religions? Thanks again! I just thought this would be a nice discussion point since both faiths have very similar lifestyles and figures and since I remember the people on this Forum as very intellectual, understanding, and kind

Why are you looking for a religious framework in the first place? (I am just asking, not suggesting you agree with me instead).

 

[JRKH]

Hey guys! Have not been on here in a while, I was discerning the priesthood the last time I was here, but in the past two yeas I have studied Buddhism and Hinduism and feel it is more encompassing of my world view and more spiritually satisfying.

Welcome back to the boards. It’s obviously been a busy journey for you the last few years.

No disrespect intended,

none taken

I find that the Catholic Church has the potential to be a wonderful cause for good in the world, as it has been and continues to be.

Curious - since you feel the church, “has been and continues to be” - “a wonderful cause for good in the world”, what is the “potential” that you speak of? What are we missing in your view?

Now what I am interested in is what do you believe the goal of Catholic-Buddhist dialogue as pioneered by Fr. Merton is?

I have no idea…didn’t know there was an ongoing dialogue

Obviously it is unlikely that there we will ever be one religion, however, do you think it is possible to cultivate the feeling as one human family between all religions?

I’m unclear what you mean by this? Are we NOT cultivating the feeling of one human family?
Cultivation denotes improvement. It is predominantly a farming term where one “cultivates the land” to raise crops…It also means to “improve” something - a crop, or a culture…or a personality…In every case, cultivation requires a “weeding out” of things that run contrary to the intended goal. So - What do we need to “weed out”?

I guess I just don’t know what you are asking to be done that is not already being done…

Peace
James

 

[Michael_Mayo]

The common ground is in the silent contemplative experience. That is the starting point for dialogue and you will find that it is usualy the monastic Catholic orders that participate.

monasticdialog.com/

dimmid.org/

 

[lerapt78]

Hey guys! Have not been on here in a while, I was discerning the priesthood the last time I was here, but in the past two yeas I have studied Buddhism and Hinduism and feel it is more encompassing of my world view and more spiritually satisfying. No disrespect intended, I find that the Catholic Church has the potential to be a wonderful cause for good in the world, as it has been and continues to be. Now what I am interested in is what do you believe the goal of Catholic-Buddhist dialogue as pioneered by Fr. Merton is? Obviously it is unlikely that there we will ever be one religion, however, do you think it is possible to cultivate the feeling as one human family between all religions? Thanks again! I just thought this would be a nice discussion point since both faiths have very similar lifestyles and figures and since I remember the people on this Forum as very intellectual, understanding, and kind

May I ask what you envision when you refer to “cultivating a feeling of one human family between al religions”?

 

[JRKH]

May I ask what you envision when you refer to “cultivating a feeling of one human family between all religions”?

Such a statement requires clarification since “cultivation” infers a need to “weed out” that which is contrary to that which one is trying to cultivate…

Peace
James

 

[Julia_Mae]

Have not been on here in a while, I was discerning the priesthood the last time I was here, but in the past two yeas I have studied Buddhism and Hinduism and feel it is more encompassing of my world view and more spiritually satisfying. No disrespect intended, I find that the Catholic Church has the potential to be a wonderful cause for good in the world, as it has been and continues to be.

I’m sorry, but… what?

You find something encompasses your “worldview?” What’s your worldview got to do with the facts? You think Jesus was just some philosopher?

Dude, Jesus is exactly who the Church says He is. If you weren’t spiritually satisfied, that’s a comment on the shallowness of your discernment, not the reality of the Deposit of Faith.

As to the question of oneness on this earth: not going to happen. It only happens through being “oned with God.” Cloud of Unknowing.

namaste

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Hey guys! Have not been on here in a while, I was discerning the priesthood the last time I was here, but in the past two yeas I have studied Buddhism and Hinduism and feel it is more encompassing of my world view and more spiritually satisfying. No disrespect intended, I find that the Catholic Church has the potential to be a wonderful cause for good in the world, as it has been and continues to be. Now what I am interested in is what do you believe the goal of Catholic-Buddhist dialogue as pioneered by Fr. Merton is? Obviously it is unlikely that there we will ever be one religion, however, do you think it is possible to cultivate the feeling as one human family between all religions? Thanks again! I just thought this would be a nice discussion point since both faiths have very similar lifestyles and figures and since I remember the people on this Forum as very intellectual, understanding, and kind

You misunderstand Fr Merton. It wasn’t his goal, but rather, Pope Paul VI asked the major monastic orders of the Catholic Church to dialog with the religions of the East, in order to find why young Catholics were leaving the Church for them.

Fr Merton never abandoned his belief in Jesus Christ, nor his vocation.

Also keep in mind, Fr Merton, like Fr Thomas Keating and others in the Catholic Church, were well grounded in their Catholic faith when they began to dialogue with the Eastern religions.

Without a solid faith in Jesus Christ, you can easily be misled.

If you want to compare some solid teaching between Christianity and an Eastern Religion, Taoism to be specific, get a copy of the book, “Christ the Eternal Tao.”

I’m just at the end of it and it’s an excellent comparison and shows Jesus Christ as the Eternal Way (Tao).

Jim

 

[Befink]

Hi Richard,

I saw your post and your question to Fr. Serpa.

To me, Father’s reply and some of the posts here indicate that overall, “we’re not ready yet”. I think the Church has made strides recently to tolerate other views. Current teaching recognizes ‘Invisible Ignorance’ which leaves non-Catholic souls up to the discretion of God. That opens the door for a number of possibilities including that potentially all who live Christ’s values, regardless of which religion they are from, will be saved. I see the Dalai Lama as an excellent living example of the values Jesus taught. He understands compassion, love, charity very well. I also admire how comfortable he is at simply being human, faults and all.

Ultimately, I’m Catholic because that’s how God called me to Him. I take communion reverently every week. I go to confession instead of confessing my sins directly to God. I practice lent, etc, etc. I don’t believe He calls everyone the same way. Why was I called that way? Only God know for sure but based on what I’m aware of, I was seeking God and happened to be in a culture and family that had a Catholic background. As I explored faith I found peace with the Catholic Church. Therefore, in order to find paradise, I need to embrace the values Jesus taught me through the Catholic Church. The Dalai Lama then becomes an example to me about how to be a better Catholic.

Had I grown up in the east, I can’t say for sure what would have happened. We easily underestimate the value of cultural influences on religious views. How ironic that people of different faiths take a rigid view, “there is only one true faith (and by astonishing coincidence, I was born right into it)”. People seem drawn to eastern religions because they typically teach peace, love, acceptance of others, exactly as Jesus did. It’s disappointing to me that the west isn’t there yet but since there is no other path for the world but peace among multiple religions, it’s only a matter of time. In the meantime, I’ve heard that eastern spiritual leaders often encourage westerners to pursue Christianity instead of an eastern religion because of their cultural background. If one grows up Catholic, they will typically find it hard to fully embrace eastern religions but would find peace through the Catholic Church (unless they have major hang-ups about the Church).

 

[red_bug_jen]

Ultimately, I’m Catholic because that’s how God called me to Him. I take communion reverently every week. I go to confession instead of confessing my sins directly to God. I practice lent, etc, etc. I don’t believe He calls everyone the same way. Why was I called that way? Only God know for sure but based on what I’m aware of, I was seeking God and happened to be in a culture and family that had a Catholic background. As I explored faith I found peace with the Catholic Church. Therefore, in order to find paradise, I need to embrace the values Jesus taught me through the Catholic Church. The Dalai Lama then becomes an example to me about how to be a better Catholic.

Had I grown up in the east, I can’t say for sure what would have happened. We easily underestimate the value of cultural influences on religious views. How ironic that people of different faiths take a rigid view, “there is only one true faith (and by astonishing coincidence, I was born right into it)”. People seem drawn to eastern religions because they typically teach peace, love, acceptance of others, exactly as Jesus did. It’s disappointing to me that the west isn’t there yet but since there is no other path for the world but peace among multiple religions, it’s only a matter of time. In the meantime, I’ve heard that eastern spiritual leaders often encourage westerners to pursue Christianity instead of an eastern religion because of their cultural background. If one grows up Catholic, they will typically find it hard to fully embrace eastern religions but would find peace through the Catholic Church (unless they have major hang-ups about the Church).

Please explain how Truth differs because of geography. If you truly believe that Jesus is the Son of God and our Savior, why he is no longer the Son of God to people born in China? Truth is not relative, but I am interested in your answer.

 

[Dazzled]

Hey guys! Have not been on here in a while, I was discerning the priesthood the last time I was here, but in the past two yeas I have studied Buddhism and Hinduism and feel it is more encompassing of my world view and more spiritually satisfying. No disrespect intended, I find that the Catholic Church has the potential to be a wonderful cause for good in the world, as it has been and continues to be. Now what I am interested in is what do you believe the goal of Catholic-Buddhist dialogue as pioneered by Fr. Merton is? Obviously it is unlikely that there we will ever be one religion, however, do you think it is possible to cultivate the feeling as one human family between all religions? Thanks again! I just thought this would be a nice discussion point since both faiths have very similar lifestyles and figures and since I remember the people on this Forum as very intellectual, understanding, and kind

What is your world view? And in what way is it more spiritually satisfying? I assume by ‘it’ you mean Buddhism? Bearing in mind, Hinduism and Buddhism, though might seem similar…are really vastly different sets of beliefs. In Nepal, the Hindus outnumber the Buddhists, although that is the birthplace of Gautama Buddha.
Honestly, both faiths…do not have similar lifestyles at all. The word ‘lifestyle’ being problematic already. I don’t think Buddhism is exactly a ‘faith’ either.

I understand the draw most people have towards Buddhism though, it seems to be the most neutral, peace-loving, compassionate, merciful and universal philosophy and way of life applicable to everyone. Unfortunately, I’m not sure if I’m over-generalising here but the ‘Westerners’ (again, very problematic noun) seem to have a romanticised view of Buddhism. Not saying you’re one of them, but it helps if you explain your world-view more.

 

[Befink]

Hi Jen,

The Truth is Love. Love is universal and the focal point of basically every world religion. How would a loving God condemn those souls who didn’t have a full understanding of Christ mainly due to culture differences but still live His values the best they knew how? It is up to us to earn our salvation the best we know how and trust God to be fair with others who are doing the best they know how.

 

[fred_conty]

Hey guys! Have not been on here in a while, I was discerning the priesthood the last time I was here, but in the past two yeas I have studied Buddhism and Hinduism and feel it is more encompassing of my world view and more spiritually satisfying. No disrespect intended, I find that the Catholic Church has the potential to be a wonderful cause for good in the world, as it has been and continues to be. Now what I am interested in is what do you believe the goal of Catholic-Buddhist dialogue as pioneered by Fr. Merton is? Obviously it is unlikely that there we will ever be one religion, however, do you think it is possible to cultivate the feeling as one human family between all religions? Thanks again! I just thought this would be a nice discussion point since both faiths have very similar lifestyles and figures and since I remember the people on this Forum as very intellectual, understanding, and kind

Jesus died for all men, those with no faith, those with some faith, those with incorrect faith, and those with the true faith, and those that left any faith. And Jesus teaches us to do the same and to love those who are not of our faith in some ways more than those who are of our faith. The action of the good Samaritan, and the teachings on those who are opposing us, reveals this to us.

However this doesn’t mean we accept another’s faith but rather love them more by staying with the faith that Jesus handed down to us and he himself wants us to embrace with all our mind soul and thought, even to the point of martydom. And as a matter of fact, our suffering and everything that we do should be a prayer, as Jesus did, to help others to know the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We have the message Jesus wants to give to the world and the more we share it the better the world will become, that is, the true message and not a broken one.

I don’t know of any other religion that has to deliver the greatest message of peace than the Catholic one, but then that depends on our own understanding of what that message is. If we are confused about that, then we are indeed confused.

“peace on earth and goodwill to men” resounded at the birth of Jeus.
“my peace I leave with you my peace I give to you” after the resurrection of Jesus.
“I will be with you always” at his going home to the Father to prepare us place of perpetual peace next to him.

Praise be to him and love to all mankind because of his message. What can be better than this.

Just thinking out loud.

 

[ChurchSoldier]

“There is a great deal of anti-Church media.A good deal of the media wants to see the Church either close its doors or conform to its liberal and secular agenda.”

Richard, this is a quote of yours from this post. I was first drawn to you by the thread “I want to become an SSPX Priest” as I searched for SSPX. I was happy to see a young man so serious about his faith.

I understand you are young and a student. As such you are being assaulted by anti-church forces constantly. Some even by people in the church. By this thread it seems they have gotten to you at a very significant level and drawn you away from the the faith. I encourage you to immerse yourself in Scripture and the Sacraments to fortify your beliefs and come back into the faith.

My prayers are with you.