Why should I remain Catholic vs. become a Buddhist or a Hindu?

[openmind77]

Hindus and Buddhists

But I guess state of Nirvana does persist after death and is eternal - so heaven and hell are no longer relevant.

Be very careful: “All descriptions of nirvana are false.” At best they are fingers pointing at the moon; do not confuse the finger for the moon.

Nirvana cannot be eternal, because the eternal does not change. Nirvana has to change from nirvana-without-rossum to nirvana-with-rossum, otherwise Buddhism is pointless.

I was not trying to describe nirvana - nobody can describe nirvana, not even those who have attained it.

I just see nirvana as the end to the requirement to be reborn and going through the cycle of death-rebirth. In that sense nirvana is eternal, because once attained, you no longer need to be reborn. Or do you?

 

[De_Maria]

I was raised Protestant-baptist…then was non-denominational then I converted to Catholicism…but now I’m having 2nd thoughts about Catholicism because of all of the division that I see in the church today…

What sort of division? I know there are dissenters, but the Truths of Christ are still taught by the Catholic Church.

 

[Susansdec]

Pope Francis vs. Conservative Catholics…

 

[De_Maria]

Pope Francis vs. Conservative Catholics…

Yeah, there are some Catholics that think they are more Catholic than the Pope. That’s too bad. But, salvation is between you and God. Don’t be distracted. Stick with the Pope. He is the Leader whom Jesus Christ appointed. If you follow the Pope, you follow Christ.

 

[Susansdec]

I do not want to be deceived or led astray…but right now Buddhism and Hinduism seem much more appealing and reasonable to me than Catholicism…I’m just being honest…

 

[AlNg]

That’s just a taste.

But you said “all” not just one or two:

Although Hindus and Buddhists boast a longer history. The fact is that their history is of disparate groups all teaching contradicting ideas.

You have not proven your claim that all of the disparate groups of Hinduism and Buddhism have all been teaching contradicting ideas. Please provide a verified list of all of the disparate groups of Hinduism and Buddhism and then giving us the contradicting claims of all of them.

 

[De_Maria]

Honesty is good. But make sure you research carefully. Do not be double minded.

God bless you!

 

[De_Maria]

You have not proven your claim that all of the disparate groups of Hinduism and Buddhism have all been teaching contradicting ideas. Please provide a verified list of all of the disparate groups of Hinduism and Buddhism and then giving us the contradicting claims of all of them.

I’ve proven more than you. And, you have not proven that Hindus and Buddhists have a central authority nor a singular depository of their doctrines. So, you have nothing at all except your empty claims.

 

[Frankie65]

don’t think its because they hate God or love Satan - its just a point of view.

They focus on our Lord’s possible non existence with huge energy. No-one focuses on Plato or Socrates’ non existence. Wouldn’t be any reason . But convince those who hate or fear Christ that he never existed anyway, now that’s a result

 

[Frankie65]

my issue is this. I have listened to alot of lectures by the late philosopher Alan Watts about Christianity and Buddhism and Hinduism…and I consider myself to be a Seeker…

The difference is that in all these philosophies man is the one looking. In Christianity, God is searching for us

 

[Frankie65]

And Hinduism is older than Judaism, Christianity, and Buddhism.

Yep. And God the Father of the eternal Word is older than 'em all put together

 

[AlNg]

I’ve proven more than you.

One or two examples does not prove that the disparate groups of Hinduism and Buddhism all have contradicting claims.
You have not proven your claim.
Suppose someone says that all peppers are green and then he attempts to prove this by showing you one or two green peppers. This is no proof because he has not taken into account the existence of red peppers.

 

[Frankie65]

This is a busy thread isn’t it. Wish I’d thought of it

 

[Susansdec]

Catholicism has these parts to it-Creeds…moral codes and cult/worship…as well as dogmas and prayer…giving offerings and obedience…

But I think I’m becoming Gnostic and a pantheist…

 

[Susansdec]

Why do some Catholics leave Catholicism and convert to Buddhism???

 

[Tis_Bearself]

The usual reasons:

• They had a negative experience of Catholicism growing up or didn’t fully understand their faith, looked for another religion as adults and picked Buddhism
• They married a Buddhist and decided to convert to their spouse’s religion because the spouse wanted it or the spouse felt more strongly about Buddhism than they did about Catholicism
• They decided to study a lot of different religions and “seek the truth” and decided (wrongly) that Buddhism was the true religion
• They made friends with Buddhists or moved to a Buddhist area and in hanging around with Buddhists a lot became attracted to the religion

 

[rossum]

I would add another reason: Buddhism delivers.

There are a number of different meditation techniques in Buddhism, and they do work. They deliver what they promise. That is a powerful draw for any religion.

There is a wide range of techniques – wider than available in Christianity – so it is not too difficult to find something that suits.

 

[Welshrabbit]

Two words: yoga.

 

[christofirst]

I think it also allows a person to be vaguely spiritual. I say this because two of my family members have drifted away from Catholicism and toward Buddhist practices. It sure seems to be a less demanding way for them - no mandatory church attendance, be it on Sunday or whenever, and certainly not as many of our challenging moral commandments. They can just feel spiritually connected.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I would add another reason: Buddhism delivers.

There are a number of different meditation techniques in Buddhism, and they do work. They deliver what they promise. That is a powerful draw for any religion.

Catholics use the same meditation techniques. The only difference is we don’t focus on the self. The fact that somebody was too uninformed about Catholicism to know that falls under poor catechesis.

Between the Desert Fathers, St. Theresa of Avila, Thomas Merton and a host of others, if you’re just looking to meditate, you can get all that right here in the Church.