Would it be against your religion to do this?

Question

I'm Roman Catholic, and I have heard stuff about chanting sutras (the buddist kind), can help relax, calm you, stuff like that. I've been wanting to try this, but I'm not sure if chanting sutras would go against my religion or not. I would also like to try some other aspects of buddism like that, but still follow my churches beliefs (as well as my own), go to church, and stuff like that.

Would it be bad to practice the peace of mind stuff from buddism and be Roman Catholic?

I will always believe in God and follow Catholic beliefs and have no intention of converting.

Answer 1

I'm no expert on Buddhism by a long shot, but meditation as I was taught it is a process of quieting the mind. There's a long Christian tradition of doing so in order to listen more closely to God.

If you're concerned about straying into the religious territory of Buddhism, then use another method to meditate: be mindful of your breathing, or listen to music, or chant Christian phrases, or practice a "movement meditation" like Tai Chi.

Here's a link to a simple form of breath-based meditation:

http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/mindbody/a/Meditation.htm

Best of luck to you. :-)

Answer 2

Instead, see if there are Catholic churches in your diocese that offer Taize Prayer Services. I found this description online:

"What is Taize Prayer? It is a simple and beautiful chant music of the Taize monastery in France that is dedicated to the renewal of our spiritual lives. The chanted prayer promotes inner peace and allows a person’s spirit to be more open and attentive to God’s presence."

I think you might find it more helpful that sutras and the like.

Also, praying the rosary is a beautiful "sutra" of sorts. The repetitive prayers of the rosary are the perfect background for quiet contemplation. I find it very peaceful. There are many CD's available with different rosary versions; some simply recited, some are sung.

Answer 3

There is a slight difference between Christian meditation and Buddhist meditation. The object is one of the differences. You are seeking God, the Buddhist is not. I suggest that you discover the richness of your own spiritual tradition in what is called 'centering prayer' which is really a form of deep meditation leading to contemplation. Here is a link from a group that are followers of a way taught by a RC priest. His methods are the classic ones taught by the RC and other Catholic churches.
http://www.centeringprayer.com/

Also I agree with Father K. Thomas Merton is a good one to read. But as to the 'how to do' you will want to read the books by Fr. Thomas Keating. The above is his website.

All form of centering meditation will be good for relaxation and for your body. Monks and nuns do this every day and many of them live a long, long time.

Answer 4

Try reading Thomas Merton. He was a catholic monk that practiced Buddhism. Buddhism is not a religion, but a practice. You can be any belief, or an atheist like me, and practice the tenets of Buddhism without compromising your doctrine. You dont worsip Buddha. Nobody worships Buddha, he was just a man.

Answer 5

as a Charismatic Catholic and they have meetings in most every city once a week at a designated Catholic Church-they had me pray-which gave me the way to meditate without going to other religions, direct to Jesus and to understand the bible better to do it for His peace, joy and whatever I need. this is the prayer

from Revelation 3:19&20 "Jesus saith, As many as i love, I correct...to repent/turn to me. Behold I stand at your heart door and knock if you opent the door I will come in forgive from sin, and become your friend, when you ask me in repenting from sin."

the prayer-"Jesus I am sorry for my sins, come into my heart and help me, be my friend, Amen"

Now i am a true believer with my Jewish back ground that helps too. Have a nice one and good meditation chants in Jesus.

Answer 6

No, I don't see why it would be. What you do to glorify your god is between you and said god. Don't let some church's dogma scare you into not doing something that makes your spirituality better. I think the Buddhists are onto something with the meditation. It really does do wonders for you mental health. Why would any god want to condemn their follower for keeping their mind and body healthy.

Answer 7

What could possibly be wrong with learning techniques to allow your mind and body to relax which in turn allows the spiritual energy to flow? I am a Christian and I practice yoga daily as a means of staying focused and calm.

Answer 8

trust me when i say you don't need to chant sutras to help you calm down and relax. there are forms of meditation that does not open you up to the spiritual world and make you stumble in you beliefs. all you do is get one of those good relaxation cd's and go to a room by yourself, put on the cd, sit cross legged, close your eyes and picture yourself in a place that makes you feel calm and relaxed. picture yourself walking on a beach, or swimming in the ocean. relaxing in a meadow. you get the picture. then teach yourself breathing technics. breath in slowly and exhale through your mouth. this really works and i teach others to do this too.

Answer 9

I would double check with a priest but if you are using the chanting to relax and calm you it should be okay...however if you are going more deeply into the Buddhism rituals then I'd be concerned. But yeh, i'd go and talk to a priest

Answer 10

Well....some mantras (not necessarily the sutras) are names of Hindu Gods. I'd watch out for that.

Hey - read the writings of Fr. Thomas Merton....he made it work pretty well...