I need all buddhists and Christians to answer this question. I no christ is the way but Buddhism makes sense!!

Question

Im a Christain right now and I believe In Jesus and what he did and that he is the only way and I have been a christian since I was a small boy but now were studying Buddhism in world history and im learning SO much about Buddhism and it has a lot of the same basic principles about how to live your life and Buddhism makes SO much sense to me. Buddhism doesnt worship the statue of Buddha, they worship one All Powerful god just like Christianity but they just put a statue of Buddha in there house as a symbol of joy, happiness, and wisdom. And I was going to convert to Zen-Buddhism, they have all the same beliefs as regular Buddhists but they believe that once you live a few lives and after a few reincarnations and moving closer to god adn becoming one with god that there's a heaven after that happens instead of just being freed from the reincarnation cycle (kinda like Christianity except with reincarnations). Should I just convert to Zen-Buddhism or what? I dont no what to do!!! HELP!!!

Answer 1

Oh! Oh! Oh! I have the perfect book for you. Hold on!

I spent time in India (As a believer in Christ) and was getting really caught up and drawn in by additional Eastern Thoughts. I wanted to blend truth with lies soooo badly cause I was really romanced by all the stuff over there.

Anyway, a person gave me this book and wow! Huge stuff in such a little book. I really believe God will answer all your questions regarding Buddhism and Christ-ianity here in this book (Except you know the Holy Bible is your real guide).

This book is a conversational comparison between Jesus and Buddha as their teachings relate directly to a girl who is in a most desperate state of existence. Which way will she choose?

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=38540&p=1018818


This link provides you with a few pages to read... You will LOVE THIS BOOK!

Ultimately I came to this conclusion and wrote it in a few short words:
__________________________________________
He told me once there is no self
Only a product of our external

Then told me I had to rely on myself
As I tried to attain the eternal
_________________________________________

Point being WE NEED JESUS!

Answer 2

I think you are a bit mixed up in your concepts. Buddhists do not confirm or deny the existance of God. After exiting samsara or the cycle of reincarnations you go back to the "whole" so to say or even into higher realms (deva, semi deva, according to Tibetan Buddhism).

However, Siddharta Gautama never talked in any of his speeches about God. He just said trying to find out our origin was like having an arrow stuck on your chest and, before getting it removed you want to know who shoot it, at what distance/speed, what material it is made of, etc.

Buddhism is only concerned with showing us a path not to suffer through introspection in order to live a happy, moral life.

You are right that Buddhists do not worship the statue of Buddha. If you bend in front of it it's just out of gratefulness and respect for showing us that path.

You can very well remain a Christian, and just take into account buddhist philosophy for your every-day life, since the two are not opposite but very much complementary.

Answer 3

I just came from that way. I followed Zen, Buddhism, and Taoism for 10 years. You will find much wisdom but it is mans wisdom not Gods wisdom.

Matthew 7:13-14 wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Buddism is a form of Pantheism. They belive in Brahman but do not worship a deity. Their thought of god is more like an energy source that contains and feeds everything. Everything is God and all is one. But the Bible teaches that God and his creation are seperate, like a painter and painting.

Pantheist feels god, a Christian thinks God. Christian truth is to know it, Pantheist truth is to feel it. If it feels good do it. Christians say be rational, Pantheist say be mystical. Those are just some of the contrasts.

Zen promises to do away with sin because they say there is no moral law and it will bring peace in everything that you do.

John 14:27 7 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Buddhism and all its varients say to reach a state of enlightenment through the wisdom of man and meditation, but in 1 Cor 2:5 Paul says do not put your faith in human wisdom but in the power of God.

Do you really read the Bible and understand it in its description of the problems of human life? If not I suggest you read Ecclesiasties, Proverbs, and Job. Really read them and ask for guidence from the Holy Spirit. When I read these books of the Bible I found the answers that went beyond the wisdom of man and Zen.

If I can, I would like to talk more about this with you so you can make an informed desicion about Buddhism and Zen. I will pray for you.

"Believe nothing. No matter where you read it or who has said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense." The Buddha

And yet the Buddha died like all other men still searching for enlightenment. Jesus Christ alone rose from the dead and declared "I am the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father but by me."

Answer 4

Are you under 18? Why do you ought to declare something on your mothers and fathers? You went to a Jewish temple some weeks in the past? and have been interpreting approximately Buddhism some weeks? perhaps you ought to attend some extra weeks or months to ascertain once you're nevertheless with what you're thinking now. once you're a minor, you ought to proceed to attend church which comprise your mothers and fathers out of appreciate for a manner they pick to enhance you. you're able to do as you like after that with out rationalization to every person. i'm chuffed to take heed to you already know that Buddhism is the two a faith and a philosophy and that Buddhists is often adherents of alternative faiths. you have been uncovered to a fundamentalist Christian faith. perhaps there is room which you would be able to maintain a number of your Christian roots and not have the conflict you have under the religion you have customary on your childrens. There are Christian denominations that don't choose different faiths as misguided. There are different international religions that understand Christ, as properly. As a side be conscious, have you ever heard for Carlton Pearson? I actually have a stoop you will have an interest to take heed to approximately his experience. He replaced right into a fundamentalist pastor who wrestled with the countless comparable issues you have stated and went in a diverse course, an exceedingly exciting and charm crammed one. Peace to you on your experience, that's only initiating.

Answer 5

Actually, most Buddhists consider Jesus a bodhisattva--an enlightened soul who returned to earth to lead others into enlightenment as well.

The Western perception of Buddhism is often as a philosophy rather than a religion--and it's certainly possible to follow the philosophy as a Christian, since the majority of it is the same (or possibly even stricter, with ideas such as right work and ahisma coming in). There's no need to rush in and "convert" right away--just follow the Eightfold Path for a bit and see how it works for you.

And no, Buddhists worship no God. When the first Christian missionaries came into Buddhist areas, the Buddhists decided they liked this Jesus guy and referred to themselves as Christian Buddhists.

Answer 6

You have being a christian who have doubt which you can solved, so to study Buddhism and found that it make sense to you, which I think clear some of your doubt. Then by all mean continue if it and see which benefit more in clearing your doubt.
In Christianity one should just follow the Bible, while Buddhism encourage one to question all doubts so one would not be misled.

Answer 7

"Jesus is the way" means that there is One true Reality, and that Reality is God. It does not mean that other religious/spiritual teachings are to be shunned. All teachings teach a common theme, as all contain some part of truth, because there is one truth...and only the truth is true.

Always listen to your inner voice/intuition. If you feel strongly about converting to Buddhism, trust that urge.

Answer 8

Don't you know that most of the christian are going to tell you the Buddhism is leading you astray and to stay a christian? That's a given. Your personal relationship with the creator is no one else's business or concern. You must decide. I guarantee you won't go to hell. Buddhism is a lovely practice and is truly tolerant and loving. Much more than can be said for christianity. Having said that you need to find some christian buddhists to talk to, as I believe that they would be the best and most knowledgeble on this topic.

Your atheist friend, J

Answer 9

How can a person here guarantee you won't go to hell??
You do not have a personal relationship with Christ and that is why you are still looking. You have the basics in front of you but have never personally come to terms with the Lordship of Christ in your life.
You may try religions all your life, but when you know Jesus personally you will never leave..

Answer 10

sweetheart with respect
Christ is only the way if that is what you have been taught to believe
many other religions do not believe so and in my opinion doesn't make them right and you wrong or vice versa
there are many paths
you do what feels right in your heart and take what makes sense to you , without fear or guilt
do some study and take some time to go over things and only then make up your mind on what is right for you
xxx

i am not a Buddhist or Christian xx

Answer 11

Buddhism doesn't worship anything, what the hell are you talking about? Buddhism is about self-enlightenment, they don't worship an all-powerful one. But Buddhism can also be used as a philosophy and its practices can be applied to any religion. You can be a Christian Buddhist.

And it's not heaven, it's Nirvana, a state of perfect happiness. e.e But they have no god.