Is it possible to practice both Buddhism and Christianity?

[smaneck]

What I see coming from many of the public schools are kids who think learning is for social rejects, kids who bully or are bullied, kids whose peers introduce them to sex and drugs, often at a very young age, kids who are basically serving a prison sentence for much of their twelve years in uncreative, unloving, uncaring institutions.

Since both I and my son were bullied in school I can understand that. My son was more than three grades ahead. But since his math skills were better than mine by the time he was eight, I really couldn't help him myself. Public school was a disaster for him, but I finally got him into a private prep school which he loved. Yeah, it is mostly for the 1% but they have lots of scholarship money for those who aren't. I paid half of the usual tuition and it was worth every penny because with the help of his very excellent school counselor, he got a full scholarship to a very expensive private liberal arts college.

There is one Baha'i family I know living here in rural Mississippi which home-schooled their four boys. They are as sweet as can be but I sort of have to wonder how ready for the real world they are. Most of the people who home-school here are Christian fundamentalists who don't want their kids exposed to ideas like evolution.

 

[Sophrosyne]

I said no such thing: PURE EXXTRAPOLATION on your part!

Nor are you in any position whatever to presume to know what my experience with the Bible is, the more so given that I've been involved for years working with detailed books about it.

Bruce

Jesus equated two roads or paths... a narrow one to him (salvation) and a wide one to destruction. It is a simple idea to equate doesn't need being involved with detailed books you either believe or not. I find that if you don't have faith to start with then adding more knowledge into the equation doesn't but usually bring in more confusion diluting what faith you had to begin with. The Bible doesn't make arguments for inclusion of other faiths into the process of salvation at all it argues aggressively against such a notion throughout it. It shows what God goes to drag people back into his flock and it shows God revealing himself and explains who God is through these revelations and they are themselves thorough enough that you don't need to seek other books of religion to fill in the blanks at all.
One can have a relationship with God through Jesus without ever knowing a thing about other religions. Paul himself wrote a huge amount of stuff to those who were either believers in other religions or believers in nothing at all bringing them all to God, not accepting that they can believe in their gods and God both.

 

[light upon light]

What's this current obsession with "The State" as Ultimate Big Bad that has gripped so many Americans (left and right-leaning, as far as I can tell)?

Not sure if you addressed that to me or not.

I'm not particularly obsessed with the state versus corporations. Both are comprised of many too large, soulless bureaucracies, both are amoral, both need to change radically to fit into a worthwhile future for the human race.

 

[ananda]

Hello all. Let me tell you where I'm coming from and why I'm asking this…

I am a Christian. I have no doubt God exists. I have no doubt the Bible is the word of God! HOWEVER… When it comes to denominations, this is where I struggle. I claim to be an Anglican, I was brought up in an Anglican household. After trying out many, there's only one church I would regularly attend near where I live and it's an Anglican church(I think I'd fit in in some Lutheran churches but the nearest Lutheran church to me is 50 miles away! I've also considered the Quakers as I share many beliefs with them but I've ruled that out as I'm not a strict pacifist). I am religiously(not necessarily politically) fairly liberal. I was speaking to a Buddhist friend of mine about something completely unrelated when they happened to mention that they're an atheist. I wondered how someone who identifies themselves as Buddhist could also identify themselves as Atheist(I don't know much about Buddhism). Looking into it a bit further it appears this is far from unusual for Buddhists and possibly even the norm! Buddhists do not worship anyone it appears.

As I said before I don't know a great deal about Buddhism but this has sparked my interest. I am a Christian but find it quite difficult to fit into any pigeonhole that people may put me in upon knowing that. Buddhism, from what I do know, appeals to me and I may fit in better there in my search for a spiritual community. So my question is, if Buddhism is considered(as it is by some practicers according to the internet) more of a way of life rather than a religion, is it compatible with Christianity.

I am sure there's a whole range of different views on this and I welcome them all in a quest to further understand where I'm at spiritually right now.

I consider Buddhism (only the Therevadin branch) as a philosophy of life, or "way of life" as you put it, and I believe, in that light, it can be compatible with Messianic/Christianity.

In fact, I am reading through the Buddhist Nikayas and Visuddhimagga right now, and much of the wisdom found therein has added to my life.

My perspective on Messianic-Christianity is different from most mainstream Christians, however. I believe in three tiers of Scripture, each with a greater or lesser authority compared to the others. The lowest tier, the Ketuvim/Writings, I believe can include any writing which does not conflict with the two higher tiers (Torah/Law and Neviim/Prophets). In that light, much of the suttas are not incompatible, in this regard.

 

[ananda]

No, it is not possible for a Christian to also be a Buddhist. First off, Buddhism teaches the concept of reincarnation (which is at direct odds with the Christian belief). They teach that reincarnation occurs due to ignorance and suffering- and that one can stop it by becoming a Buddhist.

That is not exactly true. Early Buddhism (Theravadin) believe more specifically in rebirth - generally misinterpreted as reincarnation. We are in a process of rebirth every moment of our lives. Who we are today is not the same as who we were a year ago.

 

[ananda]

There is a doctrine in Buddhism called the dharmakaya which is sort of a cosmic Buddha which comes to replace the Brahman of Hinduism. Buddhas such as Gautama are manifestations of the dharmakaya.

I think it is important to note that the dharmakaya you mentioned is a product of Mahayana-Buddhist thought, not Therevadin-Buddhist thought.

 

[light upon light]

One can have a relationship with God through Jesus without ever knowing a thing about other religions. Paul himself wrote a huge amount of stuff to those who were either believers in other religions or believers in nothing at all bringing them all to God, not accepting that they can believe in their gods and God both.

The Pharisees said they didn't need a new religion either, that they had the Torah and that was enough.

Jesus said to the Pharisees:

" Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
...
Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust .

For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?"

Similarly, Baha'u'llah wrote this to Christians who turned their backs upon Him:

"Say, O followers of the Son! Have ye shut out yourselves from Me by reason of My Name? Wherefore ponder ye not in your hearts? Day and night ye have been calling upon your Lord, the Omnipotent, but when He came from the heaven of eternity in His great glory, ye turned aside from Him and remained sunk in heedlessness.

Consider those who rejected the Spirit [that is: Jesus] when He came unto them with manifest dominion. How numerous the Pharisees who had secluded themselves in synagogues in His name, lamenting over their separation from Him, and yet when the portals of reunion were flung open and the divine Luminary shone resplendent from the Dayspring of Beauty, they disbelieved in God, the Exalted, the Mighty. They failed to attain His presence, notwithstanding that His advent had been promised them in the Book of Isaiah as well as in the Books of the Prophets and the Messengers. No one from among them turned his face towards the Dayspring of divine bounty except such as were destitute of any power amongst men. And yet, today, every man endowed with power and invested with sovereignty prideth himself on His Name. Moreover, call thou to mind the one who sentenced Jesus to death. He was the most learned of his age in his own country, whilst he who was only a fisherman believed in Him. Take good heed and be of them that observe the warning.

...

Say, verily, He hath testified of Me, and I do testify of Him. Indeed, He hath purposed no one other than Me."

 

[Sophrosyne]

Jesus said to the Pharisees:

" Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
...
Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust .

For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?"

Similarly, Baha'u'llah wrote this to Christians who turned their backs upon Him:

"Say, O followers of the Son! Have ye shut out yourselves from Me by reason of My Name? Wherefore ponder ye not in your hearts? Day and night ye have been calling upon your Lord, the Omnipotent, but when He came from the heaven of eternity in His great glory, ye turned aside from Him and remained sunk in heedlessness.

Consider those who rejected the Spirit [that is: Jesus] when He came unto them with manifest dominion. How numerous the Pharisees who had secluded themselves in synagogues in His name, lamenting over their separation from Him, and yet when the portals of reunion were flung open and the divine Luminary shone resplendent from the Dayspring of Beauty, they disbelieved in God, the Exalted, the Mighty. They failed to attain His presence, notwithstanding that His advent had been promised them in the Book of Isaiah as well as in the Books of the Prophets and the Messengers. No one from among them turned his face towards the Dayspring of divine bounty except such as were destitute of any power amongst men. And yet, today, every man endowed with power and invested with sovereignty prideth himself on His Name. Moreover, call thou to mind the one who sentenced Jesus to death. He was the most learned of his age in his own country, whilst he who was only a fisherman believed in Him. Take good heed and be of them that observe the warning.

...

Say, verily, He hath testified of Me, and I do testify of Him. Indeed, He hath purposed no one other than Me."

I'm not sure what the relevance of this post is here unless you are equating me with unbelief for some reason. I think a wide scope of people believed in Jesus from the lowest to a (very few) high priests. I think however that too many of the priesthood had false pride in their works of the Law to see humility in the simple idea Jesus himself presented. They wanted more than direct in your face "follow me". They wanted things to do and philosophical and religious ideas to engage and swirl though their heads filling them full instead of the Holy Spirit itself who is often silent and serene within us instead of exalting our egos it seeks to exalt God in our lives.

 

[light upon light]

I'm not sure what the relevance of this post is here unless you are equating me with unbelief for some reason.

I'm sorry, part of my post was missing originally, leading to confusion.

You originally wrote:

The Bible doesn't make arguments for inclusion of other faiths into the process of salvation at all it argues aggressively against such a notion throughout it.

Here is the missing part of my post:

The Pharisees said they didn't need a new religion either, that they had the Torah and that was enough.

I then responded with Jesus' words in response, and about Baha'u'llah's words to Christians, mirroring Christ's message.

 

[gord44]

I think however that too many of the priesthood had false pride in their works of the Law to see humility in the simple idea Jesus himself presented.

Sure. The priesthood was probably corrupt. but they and other Jews that knew their scripture and the Torah had no reason to believe in Jesus's claims. They had the discernment to stick to their teachings and not be lead astray.

Gentiles on the other hand had no discernment when it came to Jewish theology, so Paul had an easy time getting them on board.

 

[Sophrosyne]

I'm sorry, part of my post was missing originally, leading to confusion.

You originally wrote:



Here is the missing part of my post:



I then responded with Jesus' words in response, and about Baha'u'llah's words to Christians, mirroring Christ's message.

And I am sure this guy also mirrors similar words to other religions too. It isn't agreeing with Jesus regarding generic believing that matters but of specifically believing in HIM ALONE that matters something that the Bahai faith doesn't accept but instead they allow other gods in the midst by incorporating their believes into their faith tainting it to where is it another gospel of which Paul warns about.

 

[dlamberth]

And I am sure this guy also mirrors similar words to other religions too. It isn't agreeing with Jesus regarding generic believing that matters but of specifically believing in HIM ALONE that matters something that the Bahai faith doesn't accept but instead they allow other gods in the midst by incorporating their believes into their faith tainting it to where is it another gospel of which Paul warns about.

Not other gods...but One God with a realization that He (Christ) is with out bounds.

.

 

[Sophrosyne]

Not other gods...but One God with a realization that He (Christ) is with out bounds.

.

That is unbiblical, Christ does have bounds he is limited within the identity expressed throughout the Bible that define him else the Jews would have easily believed in many "christs" prior to Jesus and would have more likely accepted who he was. People who want to blur who Jesus (the Christ) was so as to incorporate things that are NOT inline to who he is in the Bible such to add things you can believe in to attach those beliefs to him to further have people consider other faiths as an expression of Jesus when in fact they incorporate things in them contrary to who he is which makes them invalid to begin with.

 

[dlamberth]

That is unbiblical, ...

Of course it's un-biblical. The books of the Bible were chosen to reflect a very narrow religious lens. They were not chosen to reflect what we actually see and experience in this Creation, that God in fact is not bounded or limited in any way, shape or form OR in our beliefs that we may have about Him.

Sorry, but you can not have God all to your self. He doesn't work that way. The Divine Source is with in the Hearts of all Human Beings, regardless of their spiritual paths.

.

 

[Sophrosyne]

Of course it's un-biblical. The books of the Bible were chosen to reflect a very narrow religious lens. They were not chosen to reflect what we actually see and experience in this Creation, that God in fact is not bounded or limited in any way, shape or form OR in our beliefs that we may have about Him.

Sorry, but you can not have God all to your self. He doesn't work that way. The Divine Source is with in the Hearts of all Human Beings, regardless of their spiritual paths.

.

I can see now that you don't respect Christianity for what it truly is, no wonder it is easy for you to dismiss anything I say so I will move on not wasting pearls...

 

[dlamberth]

I can see now that you don't respect Christianity for what it truly is, no wonder it is easy for you to dismiss anything I say so I will move on not wasting pearls...

My respect is with God. And God I find with in the Heart of humanity. That I see as the greatest Pearl of all.

.

 

[abacabb3]

So she wasn't a Buddhist then? Your post makes not sense much.

She is from a buddhist country, she never thought that hard about it. "Nominal buddhist" per se.

 

[smaneck]

That is not exactly true. Early Buddhism (Theravadin) believe more specifically in rebirth - generally misinterpreted as reincarnation. We are in a process of rebirth every moment of our lives. Who we are today is not the same as who we were a year ago.

Yes, one of the things I tell my students is that Buddhism doesn't just believe God doesn't exist it doesn't believe you exist either.

 

[smaneck]

I think it is important to note that the dharmakaya you mentioned is a product of Mahayana-Buddhist thought, not Therevadin-Buddhist thought.

I found some evidence that it existed in Theravada Buddhism as well, but I would agree with you that it is more compatible with Mahayana Buddhism. I think the Baha'i Faith is more compatible with Mahayana Buddhism as well. Our concept of Manifestation is not dissimilar to that of a bodhisatva.

 

[ananda]

Yes, one of the things I tell my students is that Buddhism doesn't just believe God doesn't exist it doesn't believe you exist either.

Buddha, in the Nikaya suttas, does acknowledge the existence of gods. However, these "gods" are not all-powerful creator gods in the sense which Christianity sees YHVH.