Featured What is the Christian position on Buddhism?

[AgnosticBoy]

Buddhism seems like a very harmonious and peaceful religion. I'm curious how Christians view Buddhism, or how should they.

For any Christians out there, how do you view Buddhism? Is there a way that all Christians should view Buddhism?

Would it be good for Christians to follow some of the teachings of Buddha?

Can Christians view Buddha as a spiritual person even if he did not have the same view of God?

 

[Scooter]

As a Christian, I view Buddhism as every other religion. While it's teaching may be peaceful and harmonious, the end is the same as all religions that do not follow Jesus Christ. Since Jesus said He is the only way to Heaven, all other faiths will find themselves in Hell once they die. I know this is an extremely unpopular view, and has been for thousands of years. However unpopular this may be, I believe it is the truth. As a Christian I hold no annomisty towards Buddhists. Rather, I feel sorrow for such people who are so devoted to their beliefs because I feel their beliefs are wrong. I would love the opportunity to meet with a Buddhists and discuss our beliefs.

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

going to go ahead and respond anyway even though I’m no longer a practicing Christian —

What I really like about zen buddhism is, for example, the car breaking down may end up being the best part of the vacation. Ride the zen waves, go with the flow, all that.

I’ve even made up a quick story that the visiting dignitary to the zen monastery is told I’m a very good practitioner at meditation. He compliments me.

I say, “Oh, Master, I am at best a very lackadaisical practitioner.”

He says, “Then you be true Zen Master!”

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

Since Jesus said He is the only way to Heaven, all other faiths will find themselves in Hell once they die.

I think a goodly number of your fellow Christians do not believe this.

As far as the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments have big problems. For example, in Mark 4:12, Jesus says that he speaks in parables so that those outside the circle won’t understand. Yes, he does say this. And whichever version a person cares to use — KJV, NIV, NLT, ESV, and more — it’s there.

I say, the Bible is like Gilgamesh, Homer, Beowulf, and Shakespeare. It’s ancient literature which should be treated with respect, no more, no less.

How then should we live?

Well, we have John Stuart Mill’s “Principle of Utility” which is maybe a B+ theory, and that will just have to be good enough.

As far as a plum we can reach for, the Earth is estimated to remain habitable for about 5 Billion years with a B. After that?

Hopefully, we’ve expended into Space. After that? Well, maybe we should get projects we can invest ourselves in here and now, rather than worrying about the ultimate fate of the Universe!

Sense of humor helps with all this.

weirdly, so does heavy metal music

 

[AgnosticBoy]

As a Christian, I view Buddhism as every other religion. While it's teaching may be peaceful and harmonious, the end is the same as all religions that do not follow Jesus Christ. Since Jesus said He is the only way to Heaven, all other faiths will find themselves in Hell once they die. I know this is an extremely unpopular view, and has been for thousands of years. However unpopular this may be, I believe it is the truth. As a Christian I hold no annomisty towards Buddhists. Rather, I feel sorrow for such people who are so devoted to their beliefs because I feel their beliefs are wrong. I would love the opportunity to meet with a Buddhists and discuss our beliefs.

Sitting down with a Buddhists I think is the best way to start things off.

As a person that's not part of the religions, here's my take on what you've said. I see the Buddhists and Christian both being sincere in their beliefs. While you think they are wrong, I would say they are probably thinking the same about your views. Because of this, I some times think it would be harder on a Christian to win over a believer (from another religion) than it is to convince an atheist.

I suspect you'll probably say that it is God that wins over people anyway. But you know me, I like to think of regular ways to get the door open, at the least.

 

[Scooter]

Since Jesus said He is the only way to Heaven, all other faiths will find themselves in Hell once they die.

I think a goodly number of your fellow Christians do not believe this.

Jesus said it, so if a "Christian" does not believe it, then they have to consider Jesus a liar. And anyone who calls Jesus a liar is not my fellow Christian.

 

[Scooter]

I see the Buddhists and Christian both being sincere in their beliefs. While you think they are wrong, I would say they are probably thinking the same about your views.

I would agree with you. That is why I would like to discuss our beliefs with a Buddhist. I would like to know what they base their salvation on, if they even believe in life after death. I can't imagine going through life believing this is as good as it gets.

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

Since Jesus said He is the only way to Heaven, all other faiths will find themselves in Hell once they die.

I think a goodly number of your fellow Christians do not believe this.

Jesus said it, so if a "Christian" does not believe it, then they have to consider Jesus a liar. And anyone who calls Jesus a liar is not my fellow Christian.

Okay, so the evangelical approach that Jesus is liar, lunatic, or Lord.

If he’s a liar, despise him.

If he’s a lunatic, feel sorry for him.

If he’s Lord, get down on your knees.

Except—

I’m going to add two more L’s of lore and legend. Yes, basically the same thing. But I’m thinking it’s so likely that I’m happy to add it twice.

I think it’s likely that Jesus was a teacher. He was also an end-timer, which I don’t agree with. The Romans murdered him because they were afraid of him. They vaguely thought he was a source of civil unrest. And because it was a profoundly unjust execution, a lot of legend grew up around it.

And although I strongly suspect you will not like the analogy, similar to how a lot of legend grew up around Paul Bunyan in early American history.

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

Helping a Lady Across the River – A Zen Story

This is a striking story about the Zen master Tanzan and how he imparts an important lesson to a younger monk in his own subtle and gentle way.

isha.sadhguru.org

One day while Zen monk Tanzan and a young monk were traveling, they came to a river with a strong current. As they were preparing to cross the river, they saw a young lady in distress also attempting to cross.

Tanzan offered, “Here, let me carry you across,” and placed her down gently on the other side.

The lady said, “Thank you very much. Goodbye.” The two continued on their journey for more than half a day.

Finally, the younger monk could not contain himself any longer, and blurted out, “I thought we monks were supposed to avoid women. Why did you just do that?”

“Oh, you mean the woman way back there? I put her down long ago. Are you still carrying her?”

====================

A zen kōan is a short story with a lesson. It’s a lot like a Christian parable.

 

[Scooter]

And although I strongly suspect you will not like the analogy, similar to how a lot of legend grew up around Paul Bunyan in early American history.

Paul Bunyan didn’t turn the world upside down with his teachings. He didn’t convert anyone to serve the Lord. He didn’t split time. Pretty poor comparison methinks.