Why am I suddenly interested in Buddhism?

[DJgang]

I found the book Living Christ Living Buddha interesting.

Thich Nhat Hanh is interesting.

 

[stbruno]

Many Catholic schools teach World Religions. So it’s worthwhile to learn about other people as well.
It is important if you are working in medicine…as a nurse, I had to learn what and how different faiths should be considered during their treatment.

Check out on the catholic.com website, this link about Buddhism
catholic.com/search.asp?query=Buddhism

 

[dranzal]

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.

Dabbling with Tarot card readers is dangerous right from the start. We’re not supposed to “dabble” with the occult at all, so this is a serious sin. By listening to the readings and spreading the information, they are reaffirming the reader’s beliefs, making these “Catholics” partly responsible for the reader’s ultimate fate. They are also opening themselves up to demonic influence by making choices influenced by what they learned at the readings–yikes! And if this is a paid service, this is money they’re giving to whom?!? Not the Church, but to a Tarot card reader!! Tarot readers should be seeking money elsewhere rather than doing more readings, and people should be seing Catholics being Catholic. I’m curious (but only slightly) about other religions, but if I’m going to be seen with a book I’d rather be seen with a Catholic book. If I’m going to spend hours learning a faith, it’s going to the Catholic faith. If I ever run across a Buddhist, I might extend the effort to ask for a five-minute synopsis, but that’s about it.

 

[scapularkid8]

Strange coincidence (or the Holy Spirit?): I just got into one of the World Religion lectures at my university which is actually extremely difficult to take due to such popular demand that’s placed on it.

 

[MSParrott]

Strange coincidence (or the Holy Spirit?): I just got into one of the World Religion lectures at my university which is actually extremely difficult to take due to such popular demand that’s placed on it.

I think that would be the Holy Spirit knocking on your door. Coincidence? I think not.

 

[scapularkid8]

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.

Thanks. I love our Church with all my heart and would never leave Her. Ever. My faith has been tried in ways that someone my age should not have been, so, God forbid me from boasting, my faith is sound. But may God protect me and all of us from pride on our journey towards His Son.

I hope I can, as you said, learn more of what my faith offers contrasted to the other religions.

 

[Ceil-1]

As regards Tarot-reading and Buddhism, I think they are nothing like each other. Buddhism is not like the occult even to the extent Hinduism is (along with its yoga and other idol-worship).

Keep a healthy detachment from these pagan religions, scapular, and you will be okay.

 

[po18guy]

To a point, knowledge of other belief systems is good, since it will greatly assist you in conversations with adherents of those systems. However, if you have developed a sudden interest which perplexes you, beware of the influence of spirits whose purpose it is to lead you away from the truth. If you suddenly have an unexplained interest in something that conflicts with, or is opposed to Christ’s truth, there is a strong chance that you are being influenced by a spirit of division. This is not possession or anything of the sort. It is only influence.

On this earth, we live in the kingdom of the evil one and his spirits. The evil one’s spirits are comprised of one third of the angels who were cast out of heaven with him. Their purpose is to gain souls for their master. They accomplish this through various means. They influence God’s chosen to sin in various ways. One thousand years ago, they influenced some Christians to separate and become Orthodox. Five hundred years after that, they influenced Luther to disobedience and separation. Having done this, they influenced even Luther’s followers into disobedience to him. The fracturing of the Body of Christ has continued almost unabated, to this day.

I suggest that you google “Catholic spiritual warfare prayer”, select one that suits you and say it will all of the faith and trust that you can muster. Then, wait and see what happens to your interest in other beliefs. Since you have a desire for mysticism, there is no better sense of mysticism that to spend time in adoration.

See this link which defines mysticism: newadvent.org/cathen/10663b.htm

Christ’s peace be with you.

 

[Mintaka]

Back in the old days, taking a sudden interest in Buddhism would have been regarded as a sign you were interested in helping out the missions.

Our little Pope has been known to take a good deal of interest in Buddhism, and in studying the Hindu beliefs about Krishna as well. (This comes up in various of his books and articles.) That was part of his job as a theologian, of course. But it’s very likely in today’s world that you will find yourself spending time (if only on the Internet) with people of all different religions. It’s a good idea to know what to expect.

Finally, there’s no reason to fear intellectual curiosity in itself. And heck, you might even end up helping with the missions.

 

[scapularkid8]

Back in the old days, taking a sudden interest in Buddhism would have been regarded as a sign you were interested in helping out the missions.

I’ve thought about that as a possible vocation actually. Tibet? Japan? Thailand? Mongolia? All very cool (and very Buddhist!) places.

Oh and just a little side note: your username means “region” in Arabic so every time I read it, I just read the Arabic pronunciation

 

[JimR-OCDS]

I’ve just started reading, as a result of this thread,

“Zen and The Birds of Appetite,” by Thomas Merton.

Its a very interesting read, especially in light of accusations against Merton in stating that he embraced Buddhism. So far according to his writings, he doesn’t come close.

Jim

 

[JustAnotherThou]

There was a guest on Journey Home a few weeks back that was a convert from Buddhism, someone Williams, I think. Anyway, he still teaches Buddhism studies at a University. He has also wrote a book about his conversion. That might be a good one to read. Email the Coming Home Network and I am sure they will give you more information on him, maybe even his email address or website if he has one.