Why am I suddenly interested in Buddhism?

[scapularkid8]

I have no goals of converting whatsoever, but lately I’ve been really interested in Buddhism. Is that okay?! Why would this happen? I guess we’re all people with free will and curiosity, but is there something more to this?

Perhaps I’m feeling like I need to “shake things up” spiritually or something. I don’t know. I’m really interesting in the whole “mystical” aspect of it all.

 

[MSParrott]

I think it’s perfectly fine to learn about other religions - it’s part of our human nature to be curious. As long as it doesn’t interfere with your faith, there shouldn’t be a problem.

 

[jimcav]

I don’t think I would dabble in it myself.

I know many Catholics, to many really, that go to tarot card readers and while they swear it’s just for fun, most will then wind-up telling me about what the reader said and how true it all sounds. And then they tell me that I should go! Thats when dabbling becomes abit dangerous to me.

If you want to “shake things up”, why not read-up on Catholicism? Unless your extremely well versed on our faith, there is always something new to be learned and always new things to read and experience. Go on a retreat, or try TLM for a change. But I wouldn’t mess around with Buddhism just because you want to “shake things up”. That phrase kind of makes it sound like you might have some doubts or a need unfulfilled…

 

[scapularkid8]

I don’t think I would dabble in it myself.

I know many Catholics, to many really, that go to tarot card readers and while they swear it’s just for fun, most will then wind-up telling me about what the reader said and how true it all sounds. And then they tell me that I should go! Thats when dabbling becomes abit dangerous to me.

If you want to “shake things up”, why not read-up on Catholicism? Unless your extremely well versed on our faith, there is always something new to be learned and always new things to read and experience. Go on a retreat, or try TLM for a change. But I wouldn’t mess around with Buddhism just because you want to “shake things up”. That phrase kind of makes it sound like you might have some doubts or a need unfulfilled…

Well that’s not really what I meant. It was more of a “I’m curious” statement rather than a “I want to try that” statement.

 

[Genesis315]

If you want mystical, St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross (not to mention many other saints) make Buddha look quite mundane. Someone named “scapularkid” should become more familiar with some Carmelites

 

[InLight247]

I don’t think I would dabble in it myself.

I know many Catholics, to many really, that go to tarot card readers and while they swear it’s just for fun, most will then wind-up telling me about what the reader said and how true it all sounds. And then they tell me that I should go! Thats when dabbling becomes abit dangerous to me.

If you want to “shake things up”, why not read-up on Catholicism? Unless your extremely well versed on our faith, there is always something new to be learned and always new things to read and experience. Go on a retreat, or try TLM for a change. But I wouldn’t mess around with Buddhism just because you want to “shake things up”. That phrase kind of makes it sound like you might have some doubts or a need unfulfilled…

You are right. Tarot card is a No No. Here are God’s own words:

Deuteronomy 18:10-14
Let there not be found among you anyone who immolates his son or daughter in the fire, nor a fortune-teller, soothsayer, charmer, diviner, or caster of spells, nor one who consults ghosts and spirits or seeks oracles from the dead. Anyone who does such things is an abomination to the Lord, and because of such abominations the Lord, your God, is driving these nations out of your way. You, however, must be altogether sincere toward the Lord, your God. Though these nations whom you are to dispossess listen to their soothsayers and fortune-tellers, the Lord, your God will not permit you to do so.

And in Catechism, it also clearly stated these things such as tarot cards are forbidden.

 

[Ceil-1]

Siddhartha lived about 500 years before Jesus was born. It is believed by some, however, that if he had lived in Christian times, he would have become a great saint. He, himself had no particular beliefs, but more a philosophy. Buddhism is more a philosophy than a religion in any case. He had a great deal of love and charity toward mankind, and as far as I know, did not worship idols. He could meet the criteria of an invincibly ignorant person who exhibited perfect charity, and therefore, who knows what the status of his soul is?

Learning about it is fine; it is practicing it that is forbidden.

While you are at it, why don’t you check them all out and get it out of your system? None of them compare to Christianity anyway.

Just remember that most Eastern religions’ beliefs are attempts of the ancient world to explain the supernatural without the benefit of either the Jewish or the Christian religions. Many who hear of the Gospel for the first time embrace it wholeheartedly. The Church is growing the fastest in areas that were once Buddhist.

 

[NewUlm1976_2000]

I have no goals of converting whatsoever, but lately I’ve been really interested in Buddhism. Is that okay?! Why would this happen? I guess we’re all people with free will and curiosity, but is there something more to this?

Perhaps I’m feeling like I need to “shake things up” spiritually or something. I don’t know. I’m really interesting in the whole “mystical” aspect of it all.

Courousity maybe? Maybe you want internally to know about the similarities in teachings between the two faiths? Maybe part of their spiritual practices can refire some of the spiritual exercises you are used to?

Enjoy your enlightenment through World Religions.

 

[Joyful_1]

I have no goals of converting whatsoever, but lately I’ve been really interested in Buddhism. Is that okay?! Why would this happen? I guess we’re all people with free will and curiosity, but is there something more to this?

Perhaps I’m feeling like I need to “shake things up” spiritually or something. I don’t know. I’m really interesting in the whole “mystical” aspect of it all.

Have you been reading too much Thomas Merton?:tsktsk:
(I really am not anti-Thomas Merton. He is a great guy, but sometimes he boarders on Buddhism in some of his books)

God Bless
Joyful_1

 

[James0235]

I have no goals of converting whatsoever, but lately I’ve been really interested in Buddhism. Is that okay?! Why would this happen? I guess we’re all people with free will and curiosity, but is there something more to this?

Perhaps I’m feeling like I need to “shake things up” spiritually or something. I don’t know. I’m really interesting in the whole “mystical” aspect of it all.

If it is something that interests you then just treat it as a hobby.
I have an interest in Mormonism. I love reading about the beliefs and history of Joseph Smith and his church. But, there is no chance that I would ever convert to it. I just treat it as a relatively inexpensive hobby.

James

 

[Mintaka]

Don’t feel guilty about having an inquiring mind. I’ve read a lot about Uruguay, but that doesn’t mean I want to move to Uruguay and become a naturalized citizen.

All the good, the true, and the beautiful things of the world belong to God’s children. Non-Christian literature and culture, or all the good bits anyway, belong to us of right; they are “the spoils of the Egyptians”, as the Church Fathers called them. Keep Truth Himself in mind, and you’ll come to no harm.

 

[scapularkid8]

One of my favorite things about learning about new religions is comparing how they view the human experience in relation to how Catholic Christianity approaches it. For example, Christians embrace suffering, but Buddhists try to escape it at all costs. I truly believe the Way of the Cross, but it’s just fascinating to me how other humans can view the same concept in a totally different way. Is it correct: yes, is it the best way: no, but there’s still a beauty to it.

 

[Mirdath]

Siddhartha lived about 500 years before Jesus was born. It is believed by some, however, that if he had lived in Christian times, he would have become a great saint.

He is. St Josaphat is generally considered to be none other than Siddhartha Gautama

 

[water]

One of my favorite things about learning about new religions is comparing how they view the human experience in relation to how Catholic Christianity approaches it. For example, Christians embrace suffering, but Buddhists try to escape it at all costs. I truly believe the Way of the Cross, but it’s just fascinating to me how other humans can view the same concept in a totally different way. Is it correct: yes, is it the best way: no, but there’s still a beauty to it.

I highlighted two keywords in your post - favorite things and fascinating.

In my opinion, one should find favorite things and fascination within his own religious faith, learn a lot about it, develop your faith in it – then he can take a look at other religion with the purpose of understanding it for the purpose of evangelizing and defending his own religious faith.

 

[Biblioassistant]

I am interested in the historical antecedents of today’s New Age types and have read and studied about the I Am movement, the Order of the Golden Dawn and other groups like that. The whole New Age/New Thought movement is very interesting, and more than just a little bit odd I think. There really is nothing new under the sun - yesterday’s mediums are today’s channelers.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

I’ve done comparable religious study on my own, over the years.

I’ve learned about Taoism, Buddhism, some Hinduism, and Islam.

The first three have some similarities in Catholicism, but merely on the mechanics on the surface. Deeper into them, they are much different.

Islam, believing in one God, the God of Abraham, is where our similarities end.

For many, especially young people, Buddhism, looks like you can have religion, which doesn’t demand much of you. It has the peacefulness, without all the rigid doctrine and such.

This is only true so far as you want to grow spiritually. If you desire to grow, you must then learn the 8-fold path to enlightenment, and of course follow a life of discipline.
Many have found that Catholicism isn’t so difficult after all.

Also, many people will take the parts they like in these eastern religions, and throw out what they don’t like. This is what the New Age movement did, essentially bastardizing down, not only Eastern religions, but Catholicism as well.

So, go ahead and learn about Buddhism. I would learn it under the guidance of a Catholic priest, which there are teachers out there, including Father Merton, but his no longer with us.

Also, a good book that I read, “Jesus Among Other God’s,” by Ravi Zacharias, who is a professor of comparative religious studies, gives a good reason why we follow Jesus.
He is originally from India, and raised in Hindu tradition, although his parents were not really devote Hindu’s. Nonetheless, he knows Hinduism, Buddhism and Taoism, inside out. He shows you how they compare to belief in Christ.

Jim

 

[scapularkid8]

Also, a good book that I read, “Jesus Among Other God’s,” by Ravi Zacharias, who is a professor of comparative religious studies, gives a good reason why we follow Jesus.
He is originally from India, and raised in Hindu tradition, although his parents were not really devote Hindu’s. Nonetheless, he knows Hinduism, Buddhism and Taoism, inside out. He shows you how they compare to belief in Christ.

Jim

I was actually going to buy that book some time back!

 

[Knocking]

In my years away from the Church, I believed that Buddhism might offer the things I was seeking. I did much reading, and so many of the Buddhist principles made sense to me. However, I never joined a Buddhist temple, because I (almost) always had a firm faith in the existence of God – a personal, loving God that I could not reconcile with Buddhist concepts. I finally realized that the things I had been searching for and found in Buddhism were there all the time in Catholic Christianity – the inevitability of suffering, the attempt to refrain from hurting others, compassion, the value of the present moment, and the detachment from material wealth and comfort, are all concepts that can be found, and are the basis of, Christian spirituality. As I realized this, I saw that I needed a deeper understanding of my own faith and Church. For me, Buddhism helped me to see that what I was missing, in fact, was Christ. I feel that my time studying Buddhism kept me from falling into a defeated atheism and helped me to realize the wonder and truth of God and the Catholic Church. Certainly there is always more to learn about the Catholic faith, but perhaps your interest in Buddhism will help you to understand your faith more deeply. Just remember, the Catholic Church has the fullness of truth, and almost all of the attractive parts of Buddhism can really be found in Catholic tradition.
God bless.

 

[Genesis315]

He is. St Josaphat is generally considered to be none other than Siddhartha Gautama

This is true, but I justed wanted to point out that there are other St. Josaphats with more solid history.

 

[b_justb]

The Dhammapada

Tao Te Ching (Though not Buddhist, it was with the Taoist from Shaolin Mountain that Bodhidharma founded Ch’an which eventually became Zen Buddhism)

Enjoy your looks into them.