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Greg_McPherran
Guest
My point exactly - Catholics don’t believe that budda is God.
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Sir_Knight
Guest
- "Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments. – Deuteronomy 5:9-10
- “I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt not have strange gods before me.” – Exodus 20:2-3
- “Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you; For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth” – Deuteronomy 6:14-15
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little_goblin
Guest
to all these hassle, i would like to add something, it really boils down to a few aspects:
that is respect for others (though of different religions). and do seek the good of others… 1 Cor 10, 23-33…
your belief as a Catholic…
love one another as i have love u… John 13, 31-35, Mt 22, 24-40
judge not less you want to be judged… Luke 6, 37-41
warning of overconfidence… 1 Cor 10, 1-13
let’s take 1 Cor 10 23-33, basically it state the conscience of the person. (how strong is your belief). it will definitely be bad if you were to avoid food provided by a non-believer, (reason being that you believe that there are other gods beside GOD and should not take the food offered to you consciencely you believe other gods exist, henceforth avoiding the food that was provided) but if you partake the food and thank GOD for his providence… then it is totally ok.
as for myself, i live in country where there are many religions, religion tolerance is crucial to maintain a certain level of peace…
also do remember that the Word of GOD is given to those who came to know GOD… and are bounded by his teachings, as for those who yet to know GOD’s family, as a Catholic, i am encouraged to pray for them that they one day will know GOD’s loving family… henceforth do not bring them down but seek what’s good in them… no harm doing that…
well just remember… Rom 5, 1-11… there is always faith, there is always hope and last but not least there’s love
little goblin
that is respect for others (though of different religions). and do seek the good of others… 1 Cor 10, 23-33…
your belief as a Catholic…
love one another as i have love u… John 13, 31-35, Mt 22, 24-40
judge not less you want to be judged… Luke 6, 37-41
warning of overconfidence… 1 Cor 10, 1-13
let’s take 1 Cor 10 23-33, basically it state the conscience of the person. (how strong is your belief). it will definitely be bad if you were to avoid food provided by a non-believer, (reason being that you believe that there are other gods beside GOD and should not take the food offered to you consciencely you believe other gods exist, henceforth avoiding the food that was provided) but if you partake the food and thank GOD for his providence… then it is totally ok.
as for myself, i live in country where there are many religions, religion tolerance is crucial to maintain a certain level of peace…
also do remember that the Word of GOD is given to those who came to know GOD… and are bounded by his teachings, as for those who yet to know GOD’s family, as a Catholic, i am encouraged to pray for them that they one day will know GOD’s loving family… henceforth do not bring them down but seek what’s good in them… no harm doing that…
well just remember… Rom 5, 1-11… there is always faith, there is always hope and last but not least there’s love
little goblin
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jmm08
Guest
Auberon Quin:
If you upset a bucket of water, the water spills out (it was inside the bucket).
When a person gets upset, what is inside the person comes out.
Illustration Not R****ecommended: If you want to see what’s inside, throw a cold bucket of water on somebody who is taking a shower.
Recommended Self Reflection: How do you react is the test God gives us many times each day. How do you feel when somebody cuts in front of you in line at the grocery store? How do you react when somebody wants to cut in front of you when you are driving? These are the hard tests I sometimes pass and often fail. When something happens to us, God is very concerned with how we react. How long does it take for us to realize that He is in control? That is also part of the test.
Note Auberon Quin: I think our stories are fairly similar. The Buddha statue served as a reflection of self. The young man swore (showing himself to be sometimes rude and foolish). The old monk showed himself to be full of respect and gratitude (for lessons learned).
Anyway, when I go to a Chinese restaurant and there is a little Buddha on a tabletop – I never bow. But I have sometimes rubbed his belly (it is said to be good luck). When I become Catholic, should I stop that? Of course, I never bother the Buddha if there is a sacrifice before it – such as burning incense with a flower.
That reminds me of another story I learned when living in a house with Protestant Christian men (when I was in college):
If you upset a bucket of water, the water spills out (it was inside the bucket).
When a person gets upset, what is inside the person comes out.
Illustration Not R****ecommended: If you want to see what’s inside, throw a cold bucket of water on somebody who is taking a shower.
Recommended Self Reflection: How do you react is the test God gives us many times each day. How do you feel when somebody cuts in front of you in line at the grocery store? How do you react when somebody wants to cut in front of you when you are driving? These are the hard tests I sometimes pass and often fail. When something happens to us, God is very concerned with how we react. How long does it take for us to realize that He is in control? That is also part of the test.
Note Auberon Quin: I think our stories are fairly similar. The Buddha statue served as a reflection of self. The young man swore (showing himself to be sometimes rude and foolish). The old monk showed himself to be full of respect and gratitude (for lessons learned).
Anyway, when I go to a Chinese restaurant and there is a little Buddha on a tabletop – I never bow. But I have sometimes rubbed his belly (it is said to be good luck). When I become Catholic, should I stop that? Of course, I never bother the Buddha if there is a sacrifice before it – such as burning incense with a flower.
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little_goblin
Guest
one more thing to add…
one also must differentiate between ‘worship’ and ‘respect’ i believe these two words implies differently…
for myself, my mom a Catholic while my Dad is a ‘Taoist’ (Eastern Religion’), during my Grandma funeral, we have a very traditional Teochew (a dialect) Taoist funeral, in which a Taoist priest was engaged to perform the rites, joss sticks was burn… Taoist prayers was said, me as Catholic, i was there in that ceremony… held joss-sticks, but my prayers was for the LORD to pardon her and to accept her… and also to pay my last respect to my Grandma… Honour your father and your mother Ex 20, 12… so if one has done something out of respect for the person… i believe it is fine… and if it for culture… i believe the it is ok as long it does not violate the commandments GOD gave us.
so here once again, it really lead down to one conscience… what exactly you are doing…
little goblin
this is my understanding…
one also must differentiate between ‘worship’ and ‘respect’ i believe these two words implies differently…
for myself, my mom a Catholic while my Dad is a ‘Taoist’ (Eastern Religion’), during my Grandma funeral, we have a very traditional Teochew (a dialect) Taoist funeral, in which a Taoist priest was engaged to perform the rites, joss sticks was burn… Taoist prayers was said, me as Catholic, i was there in that ceremony… held joss-sticks, but my prayers was for the LORD to pardon her and to accept her… and also to pay my last respect to my Grandma… Honour your father and your mother Ex 20, 12… so if one has done something out of respect for the person… i believe it is fine… and if it for culture… i believe the it is ok as long it does not violate the commandments GOD gave us.
so here once again, it really lead down to one conscience… what exactly you are doing…
little goblin
this is my understanding…
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RobNY
Guest
My view is this. What meaning do you give to the bow?
If you are worshipping it, then that is clearly wrong. If you are show respect, that is different.
A bow is an abstract gesture, just like a salute. It has the meaning you give to it. When I say the pledge of allegiance I don’t ‘worship’ the flag.
In a sense, I relate this to something else. When you go to Church, you obviously try to dress properly. But I’m not worried about adorning my body properly for Chirst, but instead adorning my heart properly!
Simply following rigid traditions in the manner of the Pharisees does not mean you are truly honoring God. (The spirit of the law versus the letter of the law? i.e., the Good Samaritan)
What you mean, what you intend- I think, at least- is the most important aspect.
That being said, I was under the impression that Buddhists do no actually worship Buddha.
If you are worshipping it, then that is clearly wrong. If you are show respect, that is different.
A bow is an abstract gesture, just like a salute. It has the meaning you give to it. When I say the pledge of allegiance I don’t ‘worship’ the flag.
In a sense, I relate this to something else. When you go to Church, you obviously try to dress properly. But I’m not worried about adorning my body properly for Chirst, but instead adorning my heart properly!
Simply following rigid traditions in the manner of the Pharisees does not mean you are truly honoring God. (The spirit of the law versus the letter of the law? i.e., the Good Samaritan)
What you mean, what you intend- I think, at least- is the most important aspect.
That being said, I was under the impression that Buddhists do no actually worship Buddha.
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AmandaPS
Guest
[Rant] Argh!!! Do not rub the belly! As an ethnic Thai Buddhist, this is one of my biggest pet peeves! [/RANT]
phew… there… That being said, no, it is not good luck to rub the belly of the Buddha. If you see a statue of a jolly, portulent monk, that is not the Buddha. Especially if you are in a Chinese restuarant. I can’t remember the name at the moment, but that is the Chinese god of luck and prosperity.
My mother’s side of the family have been in Siam for hundreds of years, but also remember their Chinese heritage. Our house and my grandmother’s house had statues that reflected that culture.
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Buddha-Full
Guest
AmandaPS said:
Hotei. The Chinese god of good fortune. (also at one time a monk)
If I enter a church, I know beforehand what religion it is a place of worship for. I respect the religion that is being practiced.
If you are opposed to bowing, (which is not even usually mandatory) I would suggest not entering a place where you will feel uncomfortable doing so. You have every opportunity not to enter a monestary.
with lovingkindness
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jmm08
Guest
Thanks for straightening me out. I was wrong.:ehh:
I’m sure it must have been Hotei.
But in my ignorance, I thought all the little statues were Buddhas.
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Veronica_Anne
Guest
Think about this really hard!!If you bow to Buddah, would they bow to any of your saints, or make the sign of the cross when passing by a Catholic Church? Your first instinct is usually right. :yup: You are being tested. Many people are afraid of what others might think of them if they do not do what is code. :getholy:
exactly what I would have said unless you said it first…
By the way, when someone puts their palms flat against each other, pratically touches their Adam’s apple with the tips of their fingers, and bows their head (or the top half of their body) ever so slightly toward you, they are making the gesture of namaste.
Pronounced NAH-mas-TAY.
This gesture means “the god in me recognizes the god in you.”
It is a pagan gesture intended to be a sign of familial, communal respect.
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RobedWithLight
Guest
Personally, you shouldn’t bow down. Besides, doing so would give people the wrong impression that you are in fact worshipping an idol. Just my two cents.
Gerry
Gerry
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AmandaPS
Guest
sigh Thai Buddhists do not worship the Buddha any more than Catholics worship Mary. In other words, showing respect does not equate to worship.Personally, you shouldn’t bow down. Besides, doing so would give people the wrong impression that you are in fact worshipping an idol. Just my two cents.
Gerry
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AmandaPS
Guest
I hope I didn’t come across as being rude or obnoxious about it. It’s just that ever since I was young, I’ve been hearing it over and over when someone found out I’m Buddhist. It’s gets quite frustrating sometimes. I’ve tried to correct my husband on this many, many times and he’ll still say it. :banghead:
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RobedWithLight
Guest
AmandaPS said:
Good point.
However, it is a sad fact that non-Catholic Christians have often accused Catholics of “worshipping” Mary, when Catholics simply honor and reverence her as the mother of the Redeemer. It is thus far more prudent to avoid giving people the wrong impression.
Gerry
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AmandaPS
Guest
Tractarian is not going to a Buddhist monestary or wat in the United States, but in Thailand, so I think there’s very little chance of giving someone a wrong impression.Good point.
However, it is a sad fact that non-Catholic Christians have often accused Catholics of “worshipping” Mary, when Catholics simply honor and reverence her as the mother of the Redeemer. It is thus far more prudent to avoid giving people the wrong impression.
Gerry
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jmm08
Guest
You didn’t offend me at all. I hope I don’t offend you. Don’t be hard on yourself.
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Buddha-Full
Guest
exactly what I would have said unless you said it first…
By the way, when someone puts their palms flat against each other, pratically touches their Adam’s apple with the tips of their fingers, and bows their head (or the top half of their body) ever so slightly toward you, they are making the gesture of namaste.
Pronounced NAH-mas-TAY.
This gesture means “the god in me recognizes the god in you.”
It is a pagan gesture intended to be a sign of familial, communal respect.
[/quote]
Wasn’t the title, “Pontifex Maximus” also at one time a pagan titular head of that religion? I have heard that the pope also uses this. Is this true? Thank you for any help in this!
with lovingkindness
By the way, when someone puts their palms flat against each other, pratically touches their Adam’s apple with the tips of their fingers, and bows their head (or the top half of their body) ever so slightly toward you, they are making the gesture of namaste.
Pronounced NAH-mas-TAY.
This gesture means “the god in me recognizes the god in you.”
It is a pagan gesture intended to be a sign of familial, communal respect.
[/quote]
Wasn’t the title, “Pontifex Maximus” also at one time a pagan titular head of that religion? I have heard that the pope also uses this. Is this true? Thank you for any help in this!
with lovingkindness
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SedesDomi
Guest
I would say that if you have to ask the question, then that indicates that you are uneasy about bowing to a representation of the Buddha. So don’t do it.
The Buddha won’t kill you if you don’t bow. In fact, I don’t think he would really care a great deal.
The Buddha won’t kill you if you don’t bow. In fact, I don’t think he would really care a great deal.
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AmandaPS
Guest
Chaulk it up to some wonderful Thai Buddhist guilt trip.
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Len
Guest
NO, you should not bow to a Buddha image. I lived in Thailand for four years and have been back many times. Last year I visited many of the old ruins and temples all over Thailand for six weeks. I never heard of someone being asked or required to bow to a Buddha image in all my years. The only respect that is required is to take your shoes off and if you want to go near the Buddha image you should get down on your knees keeping your feet pointed away from the direction of the image. In some temples silence is requested.
If a non-Catholic comes into a Catholic Church they are not asked to genuflect or bow. But they do show respect to others in the church by walking, standing and sitting quietly so that those who are praying can do so without interruption. The same basic respect would be a good idea when visiting a Thai temple. Respect those in the Buddhist temple just as you would want others to respect you in your Catholic Church.
If a non-Catholic comes into a Catholic Church they are not asked to genuflect or bow. But they do show respect to others in the church by walking, standing and sitting quietly so that those who are praying can do so without interruption. The same basic respect would be a good idea when visiting a Thai temple. Respect those in the Buddhist temple just as you would want others to respect you in your Catholic Church.
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