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Buddhism in a Nutshell
- Thread starter Ryoko Ozaki
- Start date
Rising_Suns
'Christ's desolate heart is in need of comfort'
I'm just kidding brother...The passage you post is interesting. Maybe paul was a ringleader of the sect of the nazoreans earlier in his life, but its quite evident where his heart is.
He must have converted.
He must have converted.
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Rising_Suns
'Christ's desolate heart is in need of comfort'
"Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ"--1st letter of Paul to the Corinthians, 11:1
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Rising_Suns
'Christ's desolate heart is in need of comfort'
Hmmm, I am not quite sure what you mean by your blessing thing.
i'll give you some blessings though.
i'll give you some blessings though.
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Isaiah 53
Catholic Apologist
I thank you for your kind response. You do your belief well!! I still have some questions; but I will start with this..vajradhara said:Namaste,
thanks for the post.
it's rather difficult, as you can imagine, to confine over 2500 years of development into a simply tautology that can be repeated
Buddhism is about one thing and one thing only... suffering and the ending of suffering. that's it. and yes, one must do the work oneself to end ones suffering. this isn't "salvation" as is commonly understood in the theistic traditions... though it can have a "salve" effect on a person, i.e. soothing their injuries.
it is quite common for the Occident to misunderstand what is going on when they see all those Buddha statues, Bodhisattva statues and so forth.. to the outsider, it can really be quite confusing.
in any event... it should be clear that (and we have to be general here... there are specific incidents where this is not the case) the statues and images are not being worshipped in the least. they are, much like the iconagraphy of the Orthodox Christian church, simply a means of rememberance... an outward symbol of an inward experience.
interestingly enough... prior to the Bactarin Greeks arrival on the Sub-continent, there were no known images of the Buddha. those greeks sure do like making images of things
indeed... i would tend to agree with you... if someone was worshipping themselves, this would be very flawed. that is not what Buddhism does or is about
Buddhism is about one thing and one thing only... suffering and the ending of suffering. that's it. and yes, one must do the work oneself to end ones suffering. this isn't "salvation" as is commonly understood in the theistic traditions... though it can have a "salve" effect on a person, i.e. soothing their injuries.
What is the work required to end ones suffering. Is it an end of suffering here on earth or in eternity. And to obtain Nirvana, is it?, what must one do??
Thank you for your time.
PEACE IN CHRIST!!!!
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Tariki
Guest
Isaiah,Isaiah 53 said:
I will eventually answer you..........as you have mentioned me by name! At the moment I have no time.
Just to say, from a Pure land perspective, there is "the way of the sages"..(self power) which is the way most people in the West view and understand Buddhism. And there is the "easy path" of Pure Land....."Other Power".) There are distinctive differences.
Pure Land is actually the biggest denomination of the Buddhist Faith in the world, but has, relatively speaking, little following in the West..........because of certain resemblances to Christian "salvation by faith" etc which many who turn to Buddhism perceive as what they wish to get away from!
However, there ARE many - and not only superficial - differences between Pure Land Buddhism and Christianity.
(D.T. Suzuki, one of the early pioneers of bringing Zen to the West, was a member of a Pure Land congregation all his life)
I will post more.
Thanks
Derek
P.S. Just a couple of quick quotes, one from the Journals of Saichi, one of the simple folk of Pure Land, the myokonin......
"O! Saichi, won't you tell us about Other Power?
Yes, but there is neither Other Power nor Self Power.
What is, is the graceful acceptance only"
And from Rennyo, one of the founding fathers of Pure Land.....
"Faith does not arise within oneself.
The entrusting heart is itself given by the Other Power"
(By the way, "Tariki" is Japanese for "Other Power")
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Isaiah 53
Catholic Apologist
Tariki said:Isaiah,
I will eventually answer you..........as you have mentioned me by name! At the moment I have no time.
Just to say, from a Pure land perspective, there is "the way of the sages"..(self power) which is the way most people in the West view and understand Buddhism. And there is the "easy path" of Pure Land....."Other Power".) There are distinctive differences.
Pure Land is actually the biggest denomination of the Buddhist Faith in the world, but has, relatively speaking, little following in the West..........because of certain resemblances to Christian "salvation by faith" etc which many who turn to Buddhism perceive as what they wish to get away from!
However, there ARE many - and not only superficial - differences between Pure Land Buddhism and Christianity.
(D.T. Suzuki, one of the early pioneers of bringing Zen to the West, was a member of a Pure Land congregation all his life)
I will post more.
Thanks
Derek
P.S. Just a couple of quick quotes, one from the Journals of Saichi, one of the simple folk of Pure Land, the myokonin......
"O! Saichi, won't you tell us about Other Power?
Yes, but there is neither Other Power nor Self Power.
What is, is the graceful acceptance only"
And from Rennyo, one of the founding fathers of Pure Land.....
"Faith does not arise within oneself.
The entrusting heart is itself given by the Other Power"
(By the way, "Tariki" is Japanese for "Other Power")
Thank You!! I anxiously await your responses.
PEACE IN CHRIST!!!
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Brahma was indeed the Hindu god of creation.
From what I understand, Buddha was alive and developed Buddhism out of Upanishadic throught. The Upanishads were a new text and "era" in Hindu thought that ended the Vedic Period.
***The Vedic Period was characterized by rituals and sacrifices and such described in the Four Vedas (Vedic Holy Books- These books describe the elaborate rituals and sacrifices, sometimes in song or peom). This practice is known as the Karma Marga (or Way of Action).
The Jnanamarga (Way of Knowledge) was developed out of the Upanishads (new texts on speculative philosophical thinking of self and the world)***
The Upanishads began questioning things like "Is animal sacrifice correct, afterall... it is a violent means of sacrifice" and began replacing animal sacrifice with non-violent offerings. There were many more changes that occured, but for our purposes here we just need to know that a new way of thinking came about.
The Upanishads describe a way of living/thinking that is very similiar to Buddhism. It appears that Buddha simply took this line of thinking a step farther and in doing this, he grew out of classical Hindu beliefs and developed Buddhism. Kinda like when Christianity grew out of Judiasm, they still wanted to retain old Jewish traditions such as circumcision (spelling?).
Now to the question at hand about Brahma. I may be speaking above my understanding here, but I suppose that when Buddha realized that Mara was a figment of his subconscience, that he also realized Brahma was a figure of the subconscience as well. He most likely provided an avatar for each different subconscience personality. I am not certain on this, so that is my guess... afterall, much of Buddha's story is now legend.
What's good about posting this information, is that when you guys have a question that surpasses my understanding, I can ask Professor Sutherland tomorrow I'll see what I can do... but I hope this helps for now.
From what I understand, Buddha was alive and developed Buddhism out of Upanishadic throught. The Upanishads were a new text and "era" in Hindu thought that ended the Vedic Period.
***The Vedic Period was characterized by rituals and sacrifices and such described in the Four Vedas (Vedic Holy Books- These books describe the elaborate rituals and sacrifices, sometimes in song or peom). This practice is known as the Karma Marga (or Way of Action).
The Jnanamarga (Way of Knowledge) was developed out of the Upanishads (new texts on speculative philosophical thinking of self and the world)***
The Upanishads began questioning things like "Is animal sacrifice correct, afterall... it is a violent means of sacrifice" and began replacing animal sacrifice with non-violent offerings. There were many more changes that occured, but for our purposes here we just need to know that a new way of thinking came about.
The Upanishads describe a way of living/thinking that is very similiar to Buddhism. It appears that Buddha simply took this line of thinking a step farther and in doing this, he grew out of classical Hindu beliefs and developed Buddhism. Kinda like when Christianity grew out of Judiasm, they still wanted to retain old Jewish traditions such as circumcision (spelling?).
Now to the question at hand about Brahma. I may be speaking above my understanding here, but I suppose that when Buddha realized that Mara was a figment of his subconscience, that he also realized Brahma was a figure of the subconscience as well. He most likely provided an avatar for each different subconscience personality. I am not certain on this, so that is my guess... afterall, much of Buddha's story is now legend.
What's good about posting this information, is that when you guys have a question that surpasses my understanding, I can ask Professor Sutherland tomorrow
I'll see what I can do... but I hope this helps for now.
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Isaiah 53
Catholic Apologist
Thank you for your response!! I thoughly enjoy them. I guess my question would be just that; why was one god/goddess ignored; yet he (buddha) accepted the testimony of Brahma?Furor said:Brahma was indeed the Hindu god of creation.
From what I understand, Buddha was alive and developed Buddhism out of Upanishadic throught. The Upanishads were a new text and "era" in Hindu thought that ended the Vedic Period.
***The Vedic Period was characterized by rituals and sacrifices and such described in the Four Vedas (Vedic Holy Books- These books describe the elaborate rituals and sacrifices, sometimes in song or peom). This practice is known as the Karma Marga (or Way of Action).
The Jnanamarga (Way of Knowledge) was developed out of the Upanishads (new texts on speculative philosophical thinking of self and the world)***
The Upanishads began questioning things like "Is animal sacrifice correct, afterall... it is a violent means of sacrifice" and began replacing animal sacrifice with non-violent offerings. There were many more changes that occured, but for our purposes here we just need to know that a new way of thinking came about.
The Upanishads describe a way of living/thinking that is very similiar to Buddhism. It appears that Buddha simply took this line of thinking a step farther and in doing this, he grew out of classical Hindu beliefs and developed Buddhism. Kinda like when Christianity grew out of Judiasm, they still wanted to retain old Jewish traditions such as circumcision (spelling?).
Now to the question at hand about Brahma. I may be speaking above my understanding here, but I suppose that when Buddha realized that Mara was a figment of his subconscience, that he also realized Brahma was a figure of the subconscience as well. He most likely provided an avatar for each different subconscience personality. I am not certain on this, so that is my guess... afterall, much of Buddha's story is now legend.
What's good about posting this information, is that when you guys have a question that surpasses my understanding, I can ask Professor Sutherland tomorrow
It was my understanding, correct me if I am wrong, that Buddist do not worship a deity. But, their own ability to enlighten themselves.
Thank you again!!
PEACE IN CHRIST!!!!!
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Tariki
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Isaiah,Isaiah 53 said:
I hope you are not too anxious! Peace!
I would just like to quote from an article that was posted on a Buddhist discussion forum regarding the two faiths, Shin (Pure Land Buddhism) and Christianity.
It is by a Pure Land minister, Rev Philipp Karl Eidmann.
Both Christianity and Shin insist that mankind is absolutely depraved. Traditionally Christianity believes man is filled with Original Sin as a result of disobediance to God.........this Original sin which stains man's soul will send him to hell unless God saves mankind. Shin followers do not belive man has an eternal soul, nor do they believe in an eternal hell. Shin finds mans nature depraved by wrong actions and passions..........these wrong actions and passions, however, are not based upon any disobedience to any God or Buddha...they have there source in desire which is rooted in absolute ingnorance of the nature of reality.
Both Christianity and Shin find salvation in faith. Shin means by Faith a state of absolute selflessness, free of all passions. Though Christians disagree on the exact nature of Faith, they have traditionally been close together in their recognition of the awakening of faith..........a religious experience of great importance....the time of which can be known in terms of hours, days, weeks and years. Shin, on the other hand, insists that the beliver cannot point to any instant in time as the exact moment of the awakening of faith.
The object of worship...............Christians worship an almighty, all merciful God who is the creator of heaven and earth. Shin declares the object of worship to to be the Buddha of Endless Light and Life. This Buddha is all merciful and omniscient, but is niether the creator nor regulator of the world. Shin states that it takes refuge in Amida Buddha as the embodiment of the Law of Buddhahood manifested in his name.
Christians see the goal of their religion as the attainment of heaven, shin find the reward and benifit as being reborn into the Pure realm.........equated in Shin doctrine with nirvana.
A further difference is in thoer respective attitude to thier various scriptures. traditionally Christians see the Bible as the word of God, valid in every way.........Shin is never concerned with the letter of its scriptures. it considers scriptures as a guide to the way to explain what has already been experienced religiously. Christianity finds the plan of salvation in its Bible..it takes the scriptures as a guide to the means to attain religious experience.
To be continued.....
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Tariki
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.....to continue....
Another difference is in the law of cause and effect. Christianity teaches that God, himself uncaused, is the cause of all things.......Shin maintains that the law of cause and effect is an eternal, immutable law within the universe.
The final differnec is in respect of the concept of conversion......Christians belive that all people in the world must accept Christ........shim missionaries go out to seek people who have similar opinions to their own.......regarding entrance to the faith as a union of attitudes.......the basis of which lies in one's past experiences. No amount of arguing or teaching can bring thse attitudes about without there having been the necessary conditioning experiences in one's past.. Shin does not belive that everyone must become a Shin follower. It is said that the Buddha taught 84000 different systems so that there might be one suited to each possible kind of human personality. Shin will find kindred spirits in every country of the world.........Shin followers rejoice that the Christian is a Christian and the Moslem is a Moslem.........they are happy with the atheist or agnostic who glories in freedom from superstition.......and do not seek to convert those who are content within their own relgion. Shin finds the joy of others sufficient happiness for its own life of gratitude.
Another difference is in the law of cause and effect. Christianity teaches that God, himself uncaused, is the cause of all things.......Shin maintains that the law of cause and effect is an eternal, immutable law within the universe.
The final differnec is in respect of the concept of conversion......Christians belive that all people in the world must accept Christ........shim missionaries go out to seek people who have similar opinions to their own.......regarding entrance to the faith as a union of attitudes.......the basis of which lies in one's past experiences. No amount of arguing or teaching can bring thse attitudes about without there having been the necessary conditioning experiences in one's past.. Shin does not belive that everyone must become a Shin follower. It is said that the Buddha taught 84000 different systems so that there might be one suited to each possible kind of human personality. Shin will find kindred spirits in every country of the world.........Shin followers rejoice that the Christian is a Christian and the Moslem is a Moslem.........they are happy with the atheist or agnostic who glories in freedom from superstition.......and do not seek to convert those who are content within their own relgion. Shin finds the joy of others sufficient happiness for its own life of gratitude.
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Tariki
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I would just like to repeat - in part - the post I wrote on the Buddhist forum where this list of differences was posted......
As far as absolure depravity is concerned, to me it just seems to be the case as far as the experienced ego is concerned, that there is in logic no way out, round or through for it to follow that will ever lead to anything except back to itself........in self decetion and false claims to enlightenment. reality seems far removed from our own "logic" and "intellect" and percieved paths of salvation!
I am always a bit wary of lists detailing what a particular "ism" or "ology" believes in. In the end we are dealing with people existing within time and space, not lists. Lists are part of the fundamentalist mindset where the "word is the thing"...........anyone who lives a Christian life - or any spirituality of any depth - begins to transform the word into the Word, as thier own experience begins to express itself. Christian creeds and doctrines are in part the expression of the lives of Christians as lived and experienced, not definititions of Truth used to dictate that experience. Christianity is an historical faith, unfolding in time according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit........... Creeds etc are the parameters set against total error, guides. Any deep reading of how Christian theology has unfolded in time will show how a dialectic takes place between dogma, individual experience and the subsequent expression of truth within the Faith. Who knows what the future holds for Christian Truth...........realyy the article seems to zero in on the fundamentalist expression of the Christian faith.......yet in relaity there is catholocism, the Eastern Orthodox, the various Protestant varieties..........and to zero in further, within Catholocism...."liberals" and "moderns" and "traditionalist"....Cistercians, Benedictines, trappists....mystics, ancient and modern.............and zeroing further, individual hearts and minds experiencing the reality of thier faith according to thier own lives as they have unfolded for themselves. What list can ever do justice to such variety, and what in the end is the point of comparing it to another list of another faith? all it can do is begin to dictate how we see another of another faith, and to end up seeing the list rather than another human being who shares more with us than that will ever separate us...............its just important to me that we see any human being who is in front of us - not a list - and allow them to speak, not our own understanding projected upon them......."
Well, that what I wrote at the time.........perhaps you have other things to say!? I would add, concering the Pure Realm after death, Shin ideas have moved on a bit, and often modern followers see the Pure land as here and now............
Just to quote from the book "Tariki - embracing depair, discovering peace." by Hiroyuki Itsuki........"we are already enlightened........but......this enlightenment does not come easily. Iit is born of the unwelcome understanding that, despite our protestations, we are insignificant, imperfect beings, born into a hell of suffering that defines our existence. But in this hell, we sometimes encounter small joys, friendship, the kind acts of strangers, and the miracle of love. We experience moments when we are filled with courage, when the world sparkles with hopes and dreams. There are even times when we are deeply grateful to have been born. These moments are paradise. But paradise is not another realm; it is here, in the very midst of the hell of this world. Other Power (Tariki), a power that transcends theological distictions, avails us of these moments. In the endless uncertainties of contemporary life, tariki confers upon us a flexibility of spirit, an energy to feel joy, and a respite of peace....................in this terrible world of ours, all that counts is that you mentally clasp your hands in gratitude and say your thanks for being alive. Do this every day; do this to keep yourself aware and open whether you are in the grip of terrible suffering or are experiencing boundless joy."
Derek
As far as absolure depravity is concerned, to me it just seems to be the case as far as the experienced ego is concerned, that there is in logic no way out, round or through for it to follow that will ever lead to anything except back to itself........in self decetion and false claims to enlightenment. reality seems far removed from our own "logic" and "intellect" and percieved paths of salvation!
I am always a bit wary of lists detailing what a particular "ism" or "ology" believes in. In the end we are dealing with people existing within time and space, not lists. Lists are part of the fundamentalist mindset where the "word is the thing"...........anyone who lives a Christian life - or any spirituality of any depth - begins to transform the word into the Word, as thier own experience begins to express itself. Christian creeds and doctrines are in part the expression of the lives of Christians as lived and experienced, not definititions of Truth used to dictate that experience. Christianity is an historical faith, unfolding in time according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit........... Creeds etc are the parameters set against total error, guides. Any deep reading of how Christian theology has unfolded in time will show how a dialectic takes place between dogma, individual experience and the subsequent expression of truth within the Faith. Who knows what the future holds for Christian Truth...........realyy the article seems to zero in on the fundamentalist expression of the Christian faith.......yet in relaity there is catholocism, the Eastern Orthodox, the various Protestant varieties..........and to zero in further, within Catholocism...."liberals" and "moderns" and "traditionalist"....Cistercians, Benedictines, trappists....mystics, ancient and modern.............and zeroing further, individual hearts and minds experiencing the reality of thier faith according to thier own lives as they have unfolded for themselves. What list can ever do justice to such variety, and what in the end is the point of comparing it to another list of another faith? all it can do is begin to dictate how we see another of another faith, and to end up seeing the list rather than another human being who shares more with us than that will ever separate us...............its just important to me that we see any human being who is in front of us - not a list - and allow them to speak, not our own understanding projected upon them......."
Well, that what I wrote at the time.........perhaps you have other things to say!? I would add, concering the Pure Realm after death, Shin ideas have moved on a bit, and often modern followers see the Pure land as here and now............
Just to quote from the book "Tariki - embracing depair, discovering peace." by Hiroyuki Itsuki........"we are already enlightened........but......this enlightenment does not come easily. Iit is born of the unwelcome understanding that, despite our protestations, we are insignificant, imperfect beings, born into a hell of suffering that defines our existence. But in this hell, we sometimes encounter small joys, friendship, the kind acts of strangers, and the miracle of love. We experience moments when we are filled with courage, when the world sparkles with hopes and dreams. There are even times when we are deeply grateful to have been born. These moments are paradise. But paradise is not another realm; it is here, in the very midst of the hell of this world. Other Power (Tariki), a power that transcends theological distictions, avails us of these moments. In the endless uncertainties of contemporary life, tariki confers upon us a flexibility of spirit, an energy to feel joy, and a respite of peace....................in this terrible world of ours, all that counts is that you mentally clasp your hands in gratitude and say your thanks for being alive. Do this every day; do this to keep yourself aware and open whether you are in the grip of terrible suffering or are experiencing boundless joy."
Derek
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Isaiah 53
Catholic Apologist
Derek-
I thank you for your post; the time and effort put forth is appreciated!! I do have some questions based on these particular comments:
Shin followers do not belive man has an eternal soul, nor do they believe in an eternal hell. If they do not believe in an eternal soul; at what point does it end? And how? Shin finds mans nature depraved by wrong actions and passions..........these wrong actions and passions, however, are not based upon any disobedience to any God or Buddha...they have there source in desire which is rooted in absolute ingnorance of the nature of reality. How can something be deemed as wrong if it is not in disobedience to someone or something?
Both Christianity and Shin find salvation in faith. Shin means by Faith a state of absolute selflessness, free of all passions. Though Christians disagree on the exact nature of Faith, they have traditionally been close together in their recognition of the awakening of faith..........a religious experience of great importance....the time of which can be known in terms of hours, days, weeks and years. Shin, on the other hand, insists that the beliver cannot point to any instant in time as the exact moment of the awakening of faith. Believe me when I say, I mean no offense in this. But, it seems to me, the followers of Shin Buddism; are placing their faith in themselves. I am trusting myself to become free of selfishness. This is impossible. Man in sinful by nature we agree on this. So, how can one change his nature all by himself? Men, by nature have very little faith in anything!! In Christianity it only matters where you place that little bit of faith. I choose to place it in Him whose faith is endless. Not in myself. Please correct me if I am wrong.
The object of worship...............Christians worship an almighty, all merciful God who is the creator of heaven and earth. Shin declares the object of worship to to be the Buddha of Endless Light and Life. This Buddha is all merciful and omniscient, but is niether the creator nor regulator of the world. Shin states that it takes refuge in Amida Buddha as the embodiment of the Law of Buddhahood manifested in his name. If Buddists do not believe in Buddha as the creator of the universe, who is? And if no one; how did we get here; evolution?
Christians see the goal of their religion as the attainment of heaven, shin find the reward and benifit as being reborn into the Pure realm.........equated in Shin doctrine with nirvana. As a Christian I do not see my goal as the attainment of Heaven. That would be selling my faith short. For, the moment I trusted in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior; I was guaranteed the Kingdom of Heaven. My goal, as should be the goal of Christians in general; is to tell the good news of Jesus Christ and the Salvation given only through Him. My goal is to see everyone accept Christ and attain Heaven. To give the joy of God to others through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Again no offense, this is only my opinion; but I see Buddism as a very self centered, self gratifing religion. I can obtain Nirvana if I free myself from my problems. I/me/my..
PEACE IN CHRIST!!!!
I thank you for your post; the time and effort put forth is appreciated!! I do have some questions based on these particular comments:
Shin followers do not belive man has an eternal soul, nor do they believe in an eternal hell. If they do not believe in an eternal soul; at what point does it end? And how? Shin finds mans nature depraved by wrong actions and passions..........these wrong actions and passions, however, are not based upon any disobedience to any God or Buddha...they have there source in desire which is rooted in absolute ingnorance of the nature of reality. How can something be deemed as wrong if it is not in disobedience to someone or something?
Both Christianity and Shin find salvation in faith. Shin means by Faith a state of absolute selflessness, free of all passions. Though Christians disagree on the exact nature of Faith, they have traditionally been close together in their recognition of the awakening of faith..........a religious experience of great importance....the time of which can be known in terms of hours, days, weeks and years. Shin, on the other hand, insists that the beliver cannot point to any instant in time as the exact moment of the awakening of faith. Believe me when I say, I mean no offense in this. But, it seems to me, the followers of Shin Buddism; are placing their faith in themselves. I am trusting myself to become free of selfishness. This is impossible. Man in sinful by nature we agree on this. So, how can one change his nature all by himself? Men, by nature have very little faith in anything!! In Christianity it only matters where you place that little bit of faith. I choose to place it in Him whose faith is endless. Not in myself. Please correct me if I am wrong.
The object of worship...............Christians worship an almighty, all merciful God who is the creator of heaven and earth. Shin declares the object of worship to to be the Buddha of Endless Light and Life. This Buddha is all merciful and omniscient, but is niether the creator nor regulator of the world. Shin states that it takes refuge in Amida Buddha as the embodiment of the Law of Buddhahood manifested in his name. If Buddists do not believe in Buddha as the creator of the universe, who is? And if no one; how did we get here; evolution?
Christians see the goal of their religion as the attainment of heaven, shin find the reward and benifit as being reborn into the Pure realm.........equated in Shin doctrine with nirvana. As a Christian I do not see my goal as the attainment of Heaven. That would be selling my faith short. For, the moment I trusted in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior; I was guaranteed the Kingdom of Heaven. My goal, as should be the goal of Christians in general; is to tell the good news of Jesus Christ and the Salvation given only through Him. My goal is to see everyone accept Christ and attain Heaven. To give the joy of God to others through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Again no offense, this is only my opinion; but I see Buddism as a very self centered, self gratifing religion. I can obtain Nirvana if I free myself from my problems. I/me/my..
PEACE IN CHRIST!!!!
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vajradhara
Diamond Thunderbolt of Indestructable Wisdom
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Namaste Rising_suns...Rising_Suns said:just a side note, lets try to refrain from name calling. Thanks guys....
vajradhara,
thank you for responding to my questions, and namaste to you too.
I'd just like to clear something up here, if i may...
You seem to have the wrong impression of Christianity, or maybe a more protestant concept of it. Living a Christian life means following in the steps of Jesus Christ, not just saying; "yeah Jesus is my savior", and doing nothing for the rest of your life. It's a change of heart--a change of desire--when you give your life over to God. It means loving your neighbor, being humble, kind, compassionate, strong-willed, wise, patient, and obedient. It means striving with your whole heart to be pure and selfless in mind and in deed. From what I've gathered so far about buddhism, it's actually very similar, minus God and His son Jesus Christ.
that wasn't my quote... so.. i'm not really sure what to say
my tradition of Christianity was protestant and i'm sure that it colors my christian thinking
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