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Sixtus
Guest
A priest in a neighbring parish uses Zen thought in his homilies. They are very good and thought provoking. He always delivers a homiliy you remember
Praise God
Praise God
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Steadfast
Guest
I think the tendency to denigrate Buddhism can be very strong.
Its not very well understood in the west.
Nirvana is often described as “nothing” and “emptiness” but Buddha means “awakened one”. It’s someone who sees things as they really are and who is, himself as fully human as a person can be.
My problem with Buddhism, if I have one is that it sees suffering as something to be avoided, or, better, transcended and I am not at all sure that this is something Christians should want, never mind whether its really even realizable.
The story of Gautama is thrilling. The events leading up to his eventual enlightenment are related in such a way that he becomes the human ideal, a very compelling and winsome figure. But after this, when the Sangha was forming, he sometimes seemed to be as un-ideal as any other very good and wise man.
He preached that this awakening was an enduring state, but I don’t know that it was anything more than a really, extraordinarily deep contemplative experience which did transform him, but which certainly didn’t root out all evidences of what we would call concupiscence.
Its not very well understood in the west.
Nirvana is often described as “nothing” and “emptiness” but Buddha means “awakened one”. It’s someone who sees things as they really are and who is, himself as fully human as a person can be.
My problem with Buddhism, if I have one is that it sees suffering as something to be avoided, or, better, transcended and I am not at all sure that this is something Christians should want, never mind whether its really even realizable.
The story of Gautama is thrilling. The events leading up to his eventual enlightenment are related in such a way that he becomes the human ideal, a very compelling and winsome figure. But after this, when the Sangha was forming, he sometimes seemed to be as un-ideal as any other very good and wise man.
He preached that this awakening was an enduring state, but I don’t know that it was anything more than a really, extraordinarily deep contemplative experience which did transform him, but which certainly didn’t root out all evidences of what we would call concupiscence.
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Sixtus
Guest
That is not my understanding of Buddhism. On the contrary in fact. Buddhism sees pain as a necessary part of progress.
It also teaches a marvelous philosphy that when pain or any trial is sent, it is to teach the sufferer a lesson. So when I am cut up in my car and the offender then drives at a ridiculously slow speed and I can feel my blood pressure rising, the lesson is to teach me patience. What a marvellous philosphy.
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Ahimsa
Guest
I thought heaven was a place/state where suffering was no more?
In any event, suffering (or dukkha) in Buddhism is not to be either avoided or “transcended” (if by “transcended” you mean “gotten rid of as soon as possible”). Of course, the ultimate goal is the end of dukkha, but it’s impossible to end it before you’ve encountered it, lived it, and seen through it.
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Steadfast
Guest
By transcend I mean simply “transcend”; as in “get beyond”.
Yes, there is no suffering in heaven. But heaven is not something that can be gained by hard work and application of the eightfold path.
It is a gift.
And that is, i guess the real difference.
Buddhism, at its most sublime is still graceless and little more than the exploitation of human potential.
And I am not sure that this is even very valuable for Christians who care called to take up their crosses and follow Him.
Yes, there is no suffering in heaven. But heaven is not something that can be gained by hard work and application of the eightfold path.
It is a gift.
And that is, i guess the real difference.
Buddhism, at its most sublime is still graceless and little more than the exploitation of human potential.
And I am not sure that this is even very valuable for Christians who care called to take up their crosses and follow Him.
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Ahimsa
Guest
Have you visited a Pure Land, or Tibetan Buddhist center? You’ll find lots of ‘grace’ in those places. Some forms of Buddhism focus upon ‘self-power’ (without denying ‘grace’, though), whereas other forms of Buddhism really put the emphasis upon ‘grace’ (or ‘other-power’, as they call it).
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound…
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bella5110
Guest
BUDDHA DID NOT DIE FOR OUR SINS, MOHAMMUD DID NOT DIE FOR OUR SINS, BUT JESUS DIED FOR OUR SINS.
just my:twocents:
just my:twocents:
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