The term "Catholic Buddhist" or "Jesus Buddhist."

[Little_One0307]

Hiya CAF,

I have noticed that several members on this forum identify their religion as “Catholic Buddhist” or “Jesus Buddhist”.

1. What does a Catholic/Jesus Buddhist actually believe?
2. Do all Cathlolic/Jesus Buddhists believe in the same thing? Where would they draw their teachings from?

I really want an explanation of this becuase I wish to understand where someone who calles themselves a Catholic/Jesus Buddhist is coming from.

Thank you for your response. My intention for this thread is not to debate, but to understand.

God bless.

 

[SteveVH]

Hiya CAF,

I have noticed that several members on this forum identify their religion as “Catholic Buddhist” or “Jesus Buddhist”.

1. What does a Catholic/Jesus Buddhist actually believe?
2. Do all Cathlolic/Jesus Buddhists believe in the same thing? Where would they draw their teachings from?

I really want an explanation of this becuase I wish to understand where someone who calles themselves a Catholic/Jesus Buddhist is coming from.

Thank you for your response. My intention for this thread is not to debate, but to understand.

God bless.

I’ve wondered the same thing. My impression is that this is an individual moniker, and not an organized religion.

 

[Joe_5859]

I got the impression that it was more of a joke than an indication of faith or belief. But perhaps the “Catholic Buddhists” among us can clarify.

 

[MrPip]

People who erroneously dilute the Magisterium with pagan teachings?

Heretics, perhaps?

Just a couple of possibilities.

 

[SonCatcher]

One person I was acquainted with described himself as a “Christian with a Buddhist disposition.” I understood that to mean that he adheres to Christian belief but prefers Buddhist “action”.

My response is that if they understand the lives of the Saints they can find the model of the life they wish to live in them and can therefore be wholly Christian. Contemplative prayer and pacifism in the model of the Carmelites and Franciscans are excellent examples.

Of course, if by adopting Buddhist action they mean to incense statues of the Buddha and/or ancestors and participate in Buddhist meditation rites, they will need to be more honest with their profession (perhaps “Buddhist with a respect for the teachings of Jesus”).

 

[babylonsfalling]

Hiya CAF,

I have noticed that several members on this forum identify their religion as “Catholic Buddhist” or “Jesus Buddhist”.

1. What does a Catholic/Jesus Buddhist actually believe?
2. Do all Cathlolic/Jesus Buddhists believe in the same thing? Where would they draw their teachings from?

I really want an explanation of this becuase I wish to understand where someone who calles themselves a Catholic/Jesus Buddhist is coming from.

Thank you for your response. My intention for this thread is not to debate, but to understand.

God bless.

Those are attention seeking terms to make people turn their head and wonder.
I knew a guy once who couldn’t wait to self-identify as “Christian-atheist”.

 

[manualman]

Honestly, I get Buddhism and Hinduism mixed up, so I might not be all that much help.

But I get the impression that many of those eastern religions are pretty malleable and don’t generally see God as a person (much less a Trinity of persons). Even more different is that they tend not to place the same level of importance on dividing truth from error and attempt to harmonize things, even if they are mutually contradictory.

So while catholics may (rightly, IMO) see the whole idea as an oxymoron, the far eastern mind doesn’t necessarily think there is such a thing as an oxymoron.

 

[Ahimsa]

Hiya CAF,

I have noticed that several members on this forum identify their religion as “Catholic Buddhist” or “Jesus Buddhist”.

1. What does a Catholic/Jesus Buddhist actually believe?

They believe in different things. Some may simply be orthodox Christians who practice Buddhist meditation techniques. Near the middle, are those who have been initiated both as Christians (via baptism) and as Buddhists (via taking refuge). At the other extreme, are orthodox Buddhists who are inspired by Christian teachings. And there are all sorts of people in between those two extremes.

What they all have in common is that they all get inspiration (to one degree or another) from both Christianity and Buddhism, or from Christ and Buddha.

 

[I_Thirst]

Essentially, it’s just another Protestantism – though I think it would be hard to find a “Buddhist Catholic Cathedral Temple” in which to worship in or meditate. I hardly think it has any official status. It’s like belonging to the Church of the SubGenius, except that the SubGeniuses are probably better organized than so-called “Buddhist Catholics” and perhaps have a keener sense of humor about themselves.

I practiced Buddhism (all three vehicles) before becoming Catholic. While there are some points of agreement between them, the ultimate goal is radically different (for example, Heaven vs Nirvana). To accept the bulk of Buddhism’s tenets would be tantamount to heresy for a Roman Catholic.

 

[SonCatcher]

Essentially, it’s just another Protestantism – though I think it would be hard to find a “Buddhist Catholic Cathedral Temple” in which to worship in or meditate. I hardly think it has any official status. It’s like belonging to the Church of the SubGenius, except that the SubGeniuses are probably better organized than so-called “Buddhist Catholics” and perhaps have a keener sense of humor about themselves.

I practiced Buddhism (all three vehicles) before becoming Catholic. While there are some points of agreement between them, the ultimate goal is radically different (for example, Heaven vs Nirvana). To accept the bulk of Buddhism’s tenets would be tantamount to heresy for a Roman Catholic.

You just reminded me of something from sometime around my Confirmation classes. I guess that someone had told me about the Eastern Catholic churches but am uncertain. Either they did a horrible job describing (whatever it was) or I did a horrible job listening but I momentarily got the image of a “church” being simultaneously Catholic and Buddhist. I couldn’t purge the image fast enough (no offense intended to devout Buddhists, but the image seemed most inappropriate).

 

[Little_One0307]

They believe in different things. Some may simply be orthodox Christians who practice Buddhist meditation techniques. Near the middle, are those who have been initiated both as Christians (via baptism) and as Buddhists (via taking refuge). At the other extreme, are orthodox Buddhists who are inspired by Christian teachings. And there are all sorts of people in between those two extremes.

What they all have in common is that they all get inspiration (to one degree or another) from both Christianity and Buddhism, or from Christ and Buddha.

What do you mean by as Buddhists [via taking refgue]? I have not heard of this term.

Thanks so much for the answer.

---

Thanks for the discussion guys, let’s keep it going and learn some more.

God bless.

 

[Ahimsa]

What do you mean by as Buddhists [via taking refgue]? I have not heard of this term.

“Taking refuge” is short for “taking refuge in the Triple Gem”. The Triple Gem (also called the Three Jewels) are the Buddha (the One who has realized the Truth), the Dharma (the Truth that the Buddha realized), and the Sangha (the community of those who practice the way to Truth). Taking refuge means that you are now “officially” Buddhist.

 

[I_Thirst]

What do you mean by as Buddhists [via taking refgue]? I have not heard of this term.

It’s a formal proclamation of faith for Buddhists. During every Buddhist service I attended, we always took refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma (the teachings), and the Sangha (the community of Buddhas and religious). It’s as expected as Catholics saying the Creed at Mass.

If a Catholic were to take refuge in Buddhism, that Catholic would, in effect, be committing apostasy.

EDIT: Ahimsa types faster than I do.

 

[Little_One0307]

It’s a formal proclamation of faith for Buddhists. During every Buddhist service I attended, we always took refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma (the teachings), and the Sangha (the community of Buddhas and religious). It’s as expected as Catholics saying the Creed at Mass.

If a Catholic were to take refuge in Buddhism, that Catholic would, in effect, be committing apostasy.

EDIT: Ahimsa types faster than I do.

“Taking refuge” is short for “taking refuge in the Triple Gem”. The Triple Gem (also called the Three Jewels) are the Buddha (the One who has realized the Truth), the Dharma (the Truth that the Buddha realized), and the Sangha (the community of those who practice the way to Truth). Taking refuge means that you are now “officially” Buddhist.

Ahhh thanks for your answers.

I have always been curious and wanting to understand things that I have not always been familiar with.

I don’t think there’s anything wrong in trying to understand where others are coming and everyone has something to offer to other people.

God bless you guys.

 

[Publisher]

I have read Thich nhat Hahn “Living Budda Living Christ” and “Going Home, Jesus and Budda as Brothers” and have gleened some spiritual insights into Truth…Truth has no religious barriers nor constraints…I know “Quaker Buddhists”

 

[I_Thirst]

I have read Thich nhat Hahn “Living Budda Living Christ” and “Going Home, Jesus and Budda as Brothers” and have gleened some spiritual insights into Truth…Truth has no religious barriers nor constraints…I know “Quaker Buddhists”

If Buddhists say that one has no soul and Catholics say that one has an immortal soul, which one is correct? Nirvana in the sense that most Buddhists understand it and Heaven in the sense that Catholics understand it are largely incompatible with each other; which is the true destination, Nirvana or Heaven? It would be a strange Catholic to deny the Eucharist, and a Buddhist denying anatta would be an odd Buddhist.

I have some fond memories of reading Thich Nhat Hahn, but I don’t think his books carry the imprimatur or nihil obstat.

 

[Little_One0307]

If Buddhists say that one has no soul and Catholics say that one has an immortal soul, which one is correct? Nirvana in the sense that most Buddhists understand it and Heaven in the sense that Catholics understand it are largely incompatible with each other; which is the true destination, Nirvana or Heaven? It would be a strange Catholic to deny the Eucharist, and a Buddhist denying anatta would be an odd Buddhist.

I have some fond memories of reading Thich Nhat Hahn, but I don’t think his books carry the imprimatur or nihil obstat.

What is nirvana, it is not a state of happiness? [Now, I dont know much about buddhism, so I am asking these questions out of sincerity.] How is nirvana and heaven incompatible?

What is anatta, sorry to be so dense at times, but I want to understand what is being discussed. Simple definitions will suffice.

Thanks for your patience.

God bless.

 

[SteveVH]

“Taking refuge” is short for “taking refuge in the Triple Gem”. The Triple Gem (also called the Three Jewels) are the Buddha (the One who has realized the Truth), the Dharma (the Truth that the Buddha realized), and the Sangha (the community of those who practice the way to Truth). Taking refuge means that you are now “officially” Buddhist.

Well I just don’t get it. Maybe you can help me.

The “Three Jewels” are:

1. Buddha (the One who had realized the Truth)
2. The Dharma (the Truth that the Buddha realized)
3. The Sangha (The communit of those who pradtice the way to truth).

Now, lets reconcile this with Christianity and/or Catholicism:

1. If Buddha realized the Truth then he realized Christ (“I am the truth…”)
2. Unless Dharma (the Truth) is Jesus Christ (the Truth) then this belief would conflict with Christianity.
3. If Christ is the Truth then the community of believers (the Sangha) should be lining up to be baptized. If they are not then they have not found the Truth.

How can one possibly believe in both at the same time?

 

[familyof4]

I can think of at least one priest, who is a Zen master. There is also Thomas Merton, who died in 68 who might interest you if you’re interested in looking into those who were Catholic but incorporated or studied in depth Eastern philosophies.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Merton

I left the name of the Zen master priest out, but if you google Jesuit Zen Master, I’m sure you can find his website.

Me personally? I think that being respectful of other faith systems is important, but I do not find value in attempting to incorporate them into my life as a Catholic. I suppose I could change my mind later, but at this point, I think it would distract me more than help me.

 

[Ahimsa]

Well I just don’t get it. Maybe you can help me.

The “Three Jewels” are:

1. Buddha (the One who had realized the Truth)
2. The Dharma (the Truth that the Buddha realized)
3. The Sangha (The communit of those who pradtice the way to truth).

Now, lets reconcile this with Christianity and/or Catholicism:

1. If Buddha realized the Truth then he realized Christ (“I am the truth…”)

If “Christ” = “Truth”, then, yes, the Buddha realized Christ.

1. Unless Dharma (the Truth) is Jesus Christ (the Truth) then this belief would conflict with Christianity.

If “Dharma” = “Truth”, and “Jesus Christ” = “Truth”, then “Dharma” = “Jesus Christ”.

1. If Christ is the Truth then the community of believers (the Sangha) should be lining up to be baptized. If they are not then they have not found the Truth.

Since the Buddha lived around 500 BCE, the Sangha at that time would have found it impossible to be baptized by Christians.

As far as the Sangha that is alive today, the Catholic Church says that even they may be saved.

How can one possibly believe in both at the same time?

If Truth is One, then Truth is Truth, wherever it is.